Spain’s new Royal Family visit Pope Francis

In their first official overseas visit as King and Queen, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain have travelled to the Vatican City for a private audience with Pope Francis.

Having been proclaimed as Spain’s new ruling monarch in late June following the abdication of his father, King Felipe, 46, has been steadily adapting to his new role as head of the Spanish Monarchy. The King arrived in Rome on Monday and was greeted by a throng of photographers eager to capture this historic occasion…

The presence of the ever-glamorous Queen Letizia, 41, ensured a mass of onlookers were waiting to catch a glimpse of her attire. Letizia has become something of an internet fashion sensation since the the announcement that she would become queen, her striking good looks and impeccable dress sense thrusting her into the limelight in a manner reminiscent of an early Princess Di.

Indeed, Letizia was granted the highest privilege of wearing white – a supreme honour when meeting the Pope – and she did not disappoint, arriving at the Vatican dressed in a classic skirt and jacket ensemble, accessorised with sleek wedges and matching clutch and pearl drop earrings.

Letizia’s ‘Privilege du blanc’ is a protocol extended to visiting female Catholic monarchs and wives of Catholic monarchs. Normally, guests of the Pope are required to wear black, with women usually instructed to dress in black, long sleeves and a black veil, which is called a Mantilla.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia looked at ease on their first overseas engagement, shaking hands with members of the Papal household and carrying themselves impeccably during the proceedings. They have, of course, been given plenty of practice over the years, playing ‘couple in waiting’ with aplomb, and even meeting Pope Francis during his own inauguration in March 2013.

During the course of the visit, the Papal Office confirmed that the Pope will visit Spain in 2015, making the journey to Santiago de Compostela in order to mark the pilgrimage of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Meanwhile, in less edifying headlines, King Felipe’s sister Princess Cristina has been formally charged by a Spanish judge following allegations that she was involved in tax fraud and money laundering. Having appeared in court in February during the trial of her husband, Iñaki Urdangarín, the judge has since decided that Cristina was aware of the dodgy dealings.

Although the Princess can appeal, the scandal has been an embarrassment for Spain’s Royal Family, and Cristina was notable in her absence during the coronation last month of King Felipe. If found guilty, Cristina could face up to 11 years in jail.