Spain's new King Felipe VI, his wife Queen Letizia, Princess Sofia and Princess Leonor attend the swearing-in ceremony at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, will be sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Reuters
Spain's new king, Felipe VI, was sworn in as the country's monarch in a ceremony in parliament on Thursday. He was formally proclaimed the new king of Spain at midnight after his father, Juan Carlos, signed his own abdication.
The new king, wearing a military uniform, received the red sash of captain-general of the armed forces from Juan Carlos at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.
In his address at the parliamentary chamber, Felipe spoke of “new times” for the monarchy, vowing to unify the country and carry out his duties.
"We have a great country, we are a great nation. Let us trust in it," he said. “I will honor the pledge and the oath I have just taken.”
Crowds cheered as King Felipe VI and his wife, Queen Letizia, and their two daughters emerged onto the balcony of the royal palace. Joined by his father and mother, Queen Sofia, the king and his family saluted the Spanish people while the crowd chanted "Viva el rey" (Long live the king).
Felipe's elder daughter, 8-year-old Leonor, is now princess of Asturias, first in line to the throne.
Spain's new King Felipe VI, his wife Queen Letizia, Princess Sofia and Princess Leonor (L) appear on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, was sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Reuters
General view of the hemicycle of the Parliament as Spain's new King Felipe VI is applauded after he delivered his speech during the swearing-in ceremony at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, was sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Reuters
Spain's new King Felipe VI (3rdR), his wife Queen Letizia (3rdL), Princess Sofia (2ndL) and Princess Leonor (2ndR), King Juan Carlos (R) and Queen Sofia appear on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, was sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Reuters
Spain's new King Felipe VI and his wife Queen Letizia wave to the crowd as they parade through the streets of Madrid from the Congress of Deputies to the Royal Palace in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, was sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Reuters
Spain's new King Felipe VI parades through the streets of Madrid from the Congress of Deputies to the Royal Palace, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, was sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household.Reuters
Spain's new King Felipe VI and his wife Queen Letizia appear on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, was sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Reuters
Spain's new King Felipe VI, his wife Queen Letizia, Princess Sofia and Princess Leonor attend the swearing-in ceremony at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, was sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Reuters
Spain's King Juan Carlos (R) places the Sash of Captain-General on new King Felipe VI during a ceremony at La Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, will be sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Reuters
The crown is seen inside the hemicycle ahead of the proclamation to the Parliament of Spain's new King Felipe VI at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, will be sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Reuters
Spain's King Felipe VI (C), his wife, Queen Letizia (3rdR), Princess Leonor (2ndL) and Princess Sofia (L) and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (2ndR) review troops as they arrive at the Congress of Deputies to attend the new king's swearing-in ceremony in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Felipe VI was sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony that monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Reuters
Spain's Parliament Chairman Jesus Posada delivers a speech as Spain's new King Felipe VI, his wife Queen Letizia, their daughters Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia attend the swearing-in ceremony at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, was sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Reuters
Spain's new King Felipe VI, his wife Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia appear on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new king, Felipe VI, was sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household.Reuters
