admin
Madrid. — Spain’s new King Felipe VI swore to serve the crisis-stricken nation as he launched his reign yesterday, sparking celebrations by flag-waving revellers in the streets.
Thousands of Spaniards put aside their World Cup misery to line the streets, yelling “Long live Spain! Long live the king!” as the tall, 46-year-old former Olympic yachtsman stepped out of a black Rolls Royce in military uniform before entering parliament.
The cry soon went up inside the chamber as Felipe vowed before lawmakers to defend the people and constitution and pledged his “faith in the unity of Spain”, where separatist tensions are high in the north-eastern region of Catalonia.
“I swear to carry out my duties loyally, safeguard and ensure the safeguarding of the constitution and respect the rights of citizens and the regions,” the monarch proclaimed.
“I begin my reign with great excitement at the honour of taking the crown, conscious of the responsibility that brings with it, and with great hope for the future,” hetold lawmakers.
Seated alongside him on a dais in parliament were his wife, the new Queen Letizia, aged 41, in a simple white knee-length dress and white jacket, and their blonde, blue-eyed daughters eight-year-old Leonor, who is now heiress to the throne, and Sofia, seven.
Outside, as police helicopters hovered above, officers closed off city-centre avenues and snipers deployed on roofs in a 7 000-strong security operation for the royal festivities. — AFP.
Online Reporter