British ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley./ Photo: AR
The Diplomat. 11/03/2017
Spanish and British governments officially announced yesterday the visit of the State of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to the United Kingdom next 6 to 8 June. The British ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, stressed that the visit will be a great opportunity to deepen the ties that unite both countries.
Don Felipe and Doña Letizia will be lodged during their stay at Buckingham Palace, where Queen Elizabeth II resides and will develop a program that, although not formally announced, will include meetings with the Sovereign and the Prime Minister, Theresa May, and a speech by the King before the British Parliament. The visit will coincide with the height of Brexit’s negotiation.
From Santander, where he traveled to promote UK as an attractive destination for tourists, students and investors, the British ambassador said he was “delighted” with the confirmation of the visit, which had to be postponed in March last year by the political blockade in Spain.
Don Felipe and Doña Letizia will be lodged during their stay at Buckingham Palace
Manley stressed that the visit “will celebrate not only the long-standing and deep historical and real ties between our two countries, but also the strong relationship we maintain as bilateral partners in Europe and internationally”. “We share close cultural, commercial, educational, science and innovation links, and this will be an opportunity to celebrate and deepen these ties”.
In the same sense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, as he announced the dates of the trip, that it “will serve to reflect at the highest possible level the excellence and intensity of bilateral relations between Spain and the United Kingdom and the commitment to preserve them in benefit of the citizens of both countries”.