A kiss for my new Queen: King Felipe of Spain takes the crown from a tearful Juan Carlos... as wife Letizia becomes world's most glamorous monarch (just don't mention the World Cup)

• Prince Felipe and his wife, former journalist Letizia, crowned King and Queen at their first official ceremony
• King Juan Carlos signed his abdication into law at midnight after 36-year reign, announced move earlier this month
• There won't be any ritzy official celebrations due to the economic crisis, no foreign leaders invited to attend
• Felipe wears military sash to address lower house of parliament
• Streets of Madrid lined with Spanish flags ready for new king, queen and their two daughters to drive through
• Crowds were not unmanageable, country has strong republican faction - and many are nursing World Cup woes

By Mia De Graaf

Spain has sworn in a new king in a low-key ceremony that monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household.
Felipe VI has taken to the throne after his father Juan Carlos tearfully signed his abdication papers at midnight last night following a 36-year reign.
Determined to stay in line with the country's austerity measures, the new monarch, his wife Letizia and their two daughters - Leonor, eight, and Sofia, seven - were ferried through Madrid in a low-key affair after a brief military parade to their first official engagement.
But the crowds were not unmanageable as the nation's vast republican faction was banned from protesting - and thousands of football fans are today mourning Spain's premature exit from the World Cup.

Public display: As Leonor (left) and Sofia (right) waved to the thousands gathered outside the royal palace, their parents embraced one another

Together we can do it: Felipe and Letizia showed a strong, united front as he told the crowds that 'together, in this united and diverse country, we can do anything'

In awe: Felipe and Letizia grinned at their daughters eight-year-old Leonor, left, and seven-year-old Sofia, right, as they looked starstruck by the whole affair

Facing a nation: King Felipe VI appeared humbled by his country as he clasped his wife's hand and stepped onto the palace balcony to wave to his people

Momentous: King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia share a moment at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid during the first speech of his reign

New Spain: Felipe, who became king at midnight after his father abdicated, told parliament today that he wants to help build a new Spain during his reign

Excitement: Queen Letizia and eight-year-old Princess Leonor, the youngest direct heir to a throne in Europe, applauded Felipe's speech

Confident: The new monarch looked comfortable and confident as he gazed around the room of politicians, flanked by his wife and two daughters Sofia and Leonor

The ceremony, at Spain's lower house of parliament in Madrid, had little pomp and circumstance compared with royal handovers in other countries.
It was more of a legal process, attended by lawmakers, high-level politicians and some members of the royal family - including the new Queen Letizia, with no foreign leaders invited.

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Addressing parliament, Felipe VI called for a 'new Spain that we can build together'.
The new 46-year-old king swore an oath promising to uphold the constitution.
The speaker of the lower house of parliament, Jesus Posada, then proclaimed him king, declaring: 'Long live Spain! Long live the king!'

A royal kiss: Queen Letizia gazes lovingly at her husband Felipe VI moments after he officially became king in a ceremony at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid

Handover: This morning, Juan Carlos and his son Felipe stood side-by-side in the Zarzuela Palace of Madrid in front of their family before the red sash was passed on

His father King Juan Carlos, right, hands over his military chief sash to Spain's newly crowned King Felipe VI during a ceremony at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid today

Embrace: Once he was fully dressed to reign over the country, Felipe received a loving embrace from his wife Queen Letizia as they made their way to the parade

...MEANWHILE THE NATIONAL SIDE SUFFERS A ROYAL BATTERING AT THE WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL

Moments before King Juan Carlos signed the abdication papers, Spain lost 2-0 to Chile, crashing out of the World Cup in the first round.
The undisputed kings of global football in the last six years, Spain won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships and their first World Cup in South Africa. But their supremacy is no more and an ageing team needs to be rebuilt.
Spain became the third champions in the last four World Cups to be eliminated at the first hurdle and their departure will almost certainly end the long international careers of their greats Xavi, Iker Casillas and Xabi Alonso.
Today, as Felipe headed to his procession, newspapers mourned 'the end of a generation' - referring to the football squad.
Headlines across the country scream: 'Goodbye to a golden generation', and 'End of the party'.
And now, the disgraced players have to face the wrath of the internet.
Within seconds of the final whistle, memes began swarming Twitter, mocking the side as 'the Titanic'.

In a speech to parliament, Felipe said he had 'great hope' for the future of Spain and called for unity.
'You will find in me a loyal head of state who is ready listen and understand, warn and advise as well as to defend the public interest at all times,' he said.
'The monarch wants to be close to citizens… ensuring it can preserve its prestige and dignity.'
'Now more than ever, citizens of Spain are rightly demanding fundamental ethical principles should govern our public life.
'The king should not only be a reference but who serves all citizens of Spain.'
He ended his speech by saying 'thank you' in three Spanish regional languages - Catalan, Basque and Galician.
Some people in those regions want to secede or achieve greater independence from Spain.
The event has been designed to chime with times of austerity, palace officials say, mindful that more than one in four Spanish workers is jobless despite an incipient economic recovery.
Hopes for the new king are high, and some believe that, despite his role being mainly symbolic as head of state, he will use his position to push dialogue over the challenge of a separatist movement in wealthy northeastern Catalonia.
'I am sure that our new king Felipe VI will be a king for hope and harmony, a king for freedom and equality among Spaniards,' Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy wrote in a column published in leading newspapers on Thursday.
Felipe, who is 46, wore military uniform with a sash and swear loyalty to Spain's constitution before addressing the chamber.
After the ceremony he was driven through central Madrid with his wife, Queen Letizia, a former journalist.
'The new king is going to contribute his own personality and ideas and a lot of people hope he will bring change to Spain.
'I personally hope for greater unity,' said Alba, 20, who had gone to central Madrid with her mother and sister to catch a glimpse of the new king after his swearing-in.
Felipe, and Spain, face plenty of problems.
The country is struggling to shrug off a double-dip recession and drive down its 26 percent jobless rate.
Scandals have tarnished the royal family and fueled campaigns to abolish the monarchy, while influential groups in some Spanish regions continue to push hard for independence.
In an oblique reference to separatist groups, Felipe insisted, 'We all have our place in this diverse Spain.'
Thousands of people lined the streets of Madrid streets as Felipe and Queen Letizia drove from parliament to the royal palace in an open-topped Rolls-Royce, waving to the crowds.
Authorities prohibited a demonstration by groups seeking to abolish the monarchy.
The cheering crowds and pageantry provided a welcome distraction as Spaniards reeled from the embarrassment of the national team's shock defeat by Chile in the World Cup, which ended Spanish hopes of winning a second consecutive title.
Felipe's inaugural speech came at a ceremony in the country's parliament, where the 18th-century Spanish crown and 17th-century scepter were on display.

Prince Felipe, crowned as Felipe VI of Spain, and Queen Letizia, arrive to Spanish parliament in Madrid accompanied by daughters Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia

Family: Princess Leonor (right) is now the youngest direct royal heir in Europe at the age of eight but looked calm and collected with her sister Sofia, aged seven

Felipe VI, pictured with hsi wife Letizia, two daughters, and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (left) has taken to the throne after his father Juan Carlos tearfully signed his abdication papers at midnight last night following a 36-year reign

Oath: The new 46-year-old king swore an oath promising to uphold the constitution before calling for a 'new Spain that we can build together'

Popular: Letizia and Felipe are seen as a down-to-earth couple, loved by the nation. They have remained free from scandal, unlike many of the other royals

Honoured: To complete the ceremony, the family stood outside parliament on a red-carpeted podium to her the national anthem

Later, a reception for 2,000 guests at the royal place featured finger foods instead of an elaborate banquet, a deliberately modest touch that acknowledged the financial hardships being endured by many Spaniards.
Felipe's father, Juan Carlos, did not attend the event to allow the spotlight to rest fully on the new monarch, according to the palace.
The outgoing king and his wife, Queen Sofia, will also stay away from the afternoon reception at the Royal Palace with 2,000 guests from all walks of society.
The mass party is part of Felipe's bid to show an all-inclusive front.
Juan Carlos and Sofia will however greet crowds from a balcony at the Royal Palace alongside the new monarchs.

HOW LITTLE LEONOR IS THE YOUNGEST DIRECT HEIR TO ANY THRONE IN EUROPE... AND WILL GROW UP TO BE HEAD OF THE ARMY

It may be a big day for her father, but eight-year-old Princess Leonor is also shouldering a heavy title.
For today, as Felipe VI was crowned king of Spain, she became the youngest direct heir to any throne in Europe.
It is a role her father assumed at the age of seven in 1977.

Responsibility: Eight-year-old Leonor, left, has become the youngest direct heir to any throne in Europe and is now in line for military training as future head of the army

Until now, her life has been private and normal.
She and her younger sister Sofia, seven, have been shrouded from the newspapers by their mother Letizia, a former journalist.
But soon, they will struggle to conceal her from the eyes of the world's media.
Already an accomplished English speaker, she attends the same private school her father did in Madrid.

Private: Apart from a select few appearances and photos (including this family shot in 2012), Felipe and Letizia have fought to protect their daughters' privacy

She is expected to follow him into studying abroad in the US.
As she will one day be head of the army, she will also have to carry out military training before she turns 18 and swears allegiance to the Kind and constitution.
However, if her parents have another child and it is a boy, her title will be relinquished.

'Felipe is going to be a good king because that is what he was brought up to do by his parents. He doesn't turn away from problems,' said bystander Rosario, an 80-year-old pensioner.
Last night, Juan Carlos signed legislation, approved by Parliament earlier this month, setting out the legal framework for the handover.
The retiring monarch, who underwent a hip replacement operation last November, used a walking cane and moved with difficulty during the televised signing ceremony.

Statesman-like: Felipe looked every inch a king as he cruised through sunny Madrid in a Rolls Royce, waving at his people

Patriotic: Despite having just crashed out of the World Cup in the first round, Spaniards held their flags with pride and banners saying 'Long live King Felipe VI!'

Austerity: Determined to maintain the country's era of austerity, as one in three Spaniards remains unemployed, the family have opted for a low-key ceremony

It may have been a relatively low-key affair, but police were still aware of the tensions surrounding the monarchy, lining the streets with officers

Red and yellow: In the early hours of this morning, the main Cibeles square could be seen lined with Spanish flags ahead of the procession

WHAT THE SPANISH PAPERS SAY

El Pais, Spain's largest newspaper, has hailed the coronation as 'a great opportunity to change the climate of pessismism we have had these past few years; to shift the terms of debate'.
In a gushing endorsement for the new king, the paper believes Felipe VI will inspire politicians into repairing the country's ailing economy and building bridges that have been burned.
Even La Vanguardia, the leading media voice in Catalonia - which is pushing for independence - conceded that the king's style is 'new and interesting'.
Columnist Enric Juliana worte: 'It was a well-constructed, solid speech, with a move to using a new kind of language'.

By royal standards, the ascension of King Felipe and his wife Queen Letizia was humble affair, with reception guests served hot and cold tapas-style nibbles, to be eaten while standing.
There was no champagne, just sparkling cava wine from Spain's Catalonia region.
The reasoning behind that choice is easy to understand, says Emilio de Diego Garcia, history professor at Madrid's Complutense University.

'In a time when every expense is examined with a magnifying glass, particularly public money, any ostentation would have been criticized' he said.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy immediately ratified the law, which went into force at midnight in Spain.
King-to-be Felipe has remained untouched by a royal corruption scandal, in which his brother-in-law is charged with embezzling millions of euros of public funds in a case that shocked ordinary Spaniards.
Juan Carlos also lost favour after going on a secret elephant hunting trip at the height of Spain's financial crisis in 2012.
Aside from private scandals, the monarchy has also had to face a growing republican faction.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Spain to demand a referendum on the future of the monarchy after Juan Carlos announced plans to abdicate and pass power to his son Felipe.
More than 20,000 demonstrators rallied in Puerta del Sol square in Madrid on June 3 in support of the end of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic.
Thousands more descended on Barcelona's Catalunya square.
Petitions appeared online with one collecting 113,000 signatures calling for Spain's political parties to take advantage of this 'historical opportunity to promote a public debate that will help regenerate democracy and determine the future of the monarchy.'
Alejandro Ricas, a 19-year-old student, said: 'I would like for us Spanish people to be able to choose whether we want a monarchy or a republic. The monarchy is obsolete'

Dressed up: Crowds of people painted their faces and donned crowns for the occasion. But it was not unmanageable numbers as many nursed World Cup woes

Monarchists: Crowds of wellwishers gathered outside the palace this morning to catch a glimpse of their new king, queen and princesses

Workers give last touches in preparation for the King's proclamation acts at the Lower House in Madrid

Three small leftist parties - Podemos, United Left and the Equo green party which together won 20 per cent of the vote in May 25 European Parliament elections - called for a referendum on the monarchy.
Pro-republican activists also called for rallies in Spanish squares.
'There will be tension, there will be difficult times, but the prince just has to demonstrate that he is capable, because he is. He has a clean record, is fair, hard working. You can't ask for more,' said royal biographer Cesar del al Lama.
'He will not be weighed down like the king by having a corrupt son-in-law. He will not make a mistake like the Botswana hunting trip.'
Felipe will come to the throne as the government of the wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia is pushing to hold an independence referendum in November - a vote that is fiercely opposed by the central government in Madrid.
The king has called Felipe, who was schooled for his future role as monarch in the three branches of the armed forces and during studies abroad, the 'best prepared' heir to the Spanish throne in history.

MY MUM WENT TO WATCH THE CORONATION... AND ALL SHE GOT ME WAS THIS LOUSY MUG: THE CHINTZY ROYALIST MEMORABILIA BEING SOLD ON THE STREETS OF MADRID THAT HARKS BACK TO CHARLES AND DIANA'S WEDDING

While Felipe and Letizia look the height of sophistication, any well-wishers hoping for a tacky fix were not disappointed.
Memorabilia of all shapes and sizes were available across Spain with the royal couple's faces branded on everything and anything - reminiscent of the royal wedding.
With such short notice before the momentous change for the country, crowds clamoured to get their hands on miniature badges, giant mugs and plastic plates to mark the occasion.

He kept him at his side on the night of February 23, 1981 when soldiers firing shots over the heads of lawmakers seized parliament in a bid to re-establish a military regime.
Juan Carlos appeared live on television in military uniform and ordered the coup plotters back to their barracks, a move that cemented his image as the guarantor of Spain's young democracy.
'It is a difficult time but the prince has had the best preparation since the day he was born to lead at this moment,' said Fermin J. Urbiola, a journalist who has written several books on the king.
Juan Carlos decided to step down on his 76th birthday and hand the throne to his son Prince Felipe, 46, and his glamourous wife Letizia, a former award-winging newsreader and divorcee.
His is the third European monarch to abdicate in just over a year after King Albert II of Belgium gave his crown to son Philippe last July, three months after Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands made way for her firstborn, Prince Willem-Alexander.
Juan Carlos, who oversaw his country's transition from dictatorship to democracy, has seen the twilight of his monarchy blighted by scandal and health problems, including five operations in the last two years.

Last night, Juan Carlos (pictured next to his wife Sofia) signed legislation, approved by Parliament earlier this month, setting out the legal framework for the handover

The retiring monarch, who underwent a hip replacement last November, used a walking cane and moved with difficulty during the televised signing ceremony

While polls show the decision to hand over to Felipe has boosted the popularity of the royals, almost two thirds now also support the idea of a referendum on whether Spain should continue to be a constitutional monarchy, according to a recent poll by Metroscopia for El Pais newspaper.
Security forces are taking no chances and police have carried out house-to-house searches along the route King Felipe will be driven, with 7000 police and 120 snipers out on the streets. A Republican rally has been refused authorisation by the Madrid authorities.
Red and yellow flowers - the colours of Spain's flag - are decorating the route from Congress to the Royal Palace that will be taken by the motorcade and an escort of mounted guards.
Hundreds of Madrid buses will be decorated with Spanish flags and the palace is giving out 100,000 flags for well-wishers to wave as the new king is driven to a reception at the royal palace, a 1738 building used for visits of heads of state and special ceremonies.

Handover: Juan Carlos, who will not attend today's event, embraced his son after he signed his papers

Monarchists expect the couple to be the signal of a new era of popularity for the royal family

Juan Carlos announced his surprise decision to abdicate on June 2, saying he was stepping aside after a four-decade reign to allow for younger royal blood to rally the country that is still trying to shrug off a double-dip recession and a 26 percent jobless rate. 

During most of his reign, the monarch was held in high esteem for his role in helping steer the country from military dictatorship to democracy.

He took over the throne in 1975, two days after the death of longtime dictator General Francisco Franco, and then endeared himself to many by making army rebels stand down during an attempted military coup in 1981.

FROM FRUMPY REPORTER TO ROYAL FASHIONISTA: HOW QUEEN LETIZIA OF SPAIN BECAME A STYLE ICON

A world of difference: Once a reporter for TVE in Spain, who would have thought Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano would one day by the queen consort of the country

Her husband may be the king of Spain, but TV reporter-turned-consort Letizia is something of an icon herself.
The 41-year-old mother-of-two has carved out a name for herself as the most stylist royal in Europe - even outshining First Ladies such as former model Carla Bruni.
Her current wardrobe of tailored sheath dresses, sky-scraping court shoes and eye-catching jewels lambast any concerns that monarchies are outdated.

But getting to this point has been a journey.
It is all a far cry from her early days as a newsreader, when she embraced the bland Armani suit and was rarely seen in public wearing anything else.
Since marrying Felipe, Prince of Asturias, Prince of Gerona, Prince of Viana, Duke of Montblanc, Count of Cervera and Lord of Balaguer, in 2004, her wardrobe has undergone a remarkable transformation.
Out went grey suits and in came a more colourful, feminine style - although, as a recent appearance at the a reception for members of the Patronage of the Prince of Asturias Foundation at the Royal Palace in Madrid revealed, she's yet to give up the black.
So what are the secrets of Princess Letizia's enviable style? Like the Duchess of Cambridge, she knows what suits her lean body shape and is partial to a knee-length shift dress and a bracelet sleeve.
She adores a leg-lengthening nude heel and is almost as addicted to her Magrit suede tan court shoes as Kate is to her nude patent L.K Bennett 'Sledge' heels.
Out went grey suits and in came a more colourful, feminine style - although, as a recent appearance at the a reception for members of the Patronage of the Prince of Asturias Foundation at the Royal Palace in Madrid revealed, she's yet to give up the black.
So what are the secrets of Princess Letizia's enviable style? Like the Duchess of Cambridge, she knows what suits her lean body shape and is partial to a knee-length shift dress and a bracelet sleeve.
She adores a leg-lengthening nude heel and is almost as addicted to her Magrit suede tan court shoes as Kate is to her nude patent L.K Bennett 'Sledge' heels.
The Spanish consort also shares another trait with the UK's future queen: a penchant for homegrown labels and the high street. 

Her secrets: Like the Duchess of Cambridge, she knows what suits her lean body shape and is partial to a knee-length shift dress

In Letizia's case, that means slim-fitting sheath dresses picked up in Mango, Zara and Uterqüe - many of which she wears time and time again.
That, however, doesn't mean she won't splash out on a more expensive frock should one catch her eye. Her favourite piece is reportedly a black guipure lace dress by local designer, Felipe Varela, which she wore on a state visit to Portugal in 2012, again for her 40th birthday party and again in March this year.
Another favourite is a softly fitted yellow and royal purple print dress by Hugo Boss which made its first appearance in summer 2012 before being dusted off the following year and spruced up with a black blazer.
Off duty, the Princess' style becomes markedly more relaxed, with cropped trousers, billowing shirts and even the odd pair of jeans making up the bulk of her wardrobe.
But as her occasional foray back into grey Hugo Boss tailored trousers reveals, some style habits die hard - Queen or not.
by Ruth Styles