The King was supposed to be accompanied by his wife, Queen Sofia, but she cancelled her trip because she was indisposed.

He started his second day in Malta with a call at the Palace where he was greeted by President George Abela on whose invitation he is visiting the island.

Photo DOI Pierre Sammut
 

Upon his arrival, King Juan Carlos I was presented with a silver teapot set and a photo of his predecessor, his grandfather Alfonso XIII, when he visited Malta in 1927. The King reciprocated the gesture, presenting a figurine of an Andalusian horse.

Following the meeting, the 2 heads of state were driven to the Cenotaph in Floriana where a wreath-laying ceremony was held in honour of those who lost their lives in the wars.

The King then proceeded to his hotel, the Excelsior, for talks with Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat and then straight to Auberge de Castille for a call with the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

Following a reception in his honour at Castille, King Juan Carlos was accompanied by the Prime Minister on a visit to the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

He was then accompanied to the newly-laid St George’s Square where he was given the National Salute and inspected a guard of honour before being driven off to the Malta International airport.

Earlier this morning, 6 agreements were signed by Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and his Spanish counterpart, Miguel Ángel Moratinos.

 In pictures: King Juan Carlos I of Spain - official visit to Malta

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