Spanish royals visit Germany

Felipe and Letizia received a warm reception in Berlin on Monday morning despite the city's frosty weather and icy wind. They were greeted by Germany's President Joachim Gauck and his partner Daniela Schadt at Bellevue Palace, the president's official residence.

The royal couple's trip to Berlin is part of a series of official visits King Felipe has planned for the coming months. The Spanish monarch took to the throne just five months ago when his father Juan Carlos abdicated suddenly in June.

President Gauck welcomed the Spanish king to Berlin with a military reception. "We share the experience that freedom and democracy cannot be taken for granted," Gauck said during a short speech at the palace, referring to the difficult past of both countries.

Speaking to the press from Bellevue Palace, Gauck congratulated Spain for overcoming the financial crisis, while Felipe emphasized the important roles of Spain and Germany within the European Union.

Felipe and Letizia spent time meeting German and Spanish schoolchildren who had braved the cold to meet them in Berlin. The royal couple represent the new face of the Spanish monarchy and are keen to show they are down-to-earth and connected to their subjects.

Next on the program for the royal visit is a spot of sightseeing at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate and a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel before the King and Queen stop in at the Spanish Embassy on Monday night. On Tuesday, the royal couple is set to leave the capital and travel to Germany's west to visit the German branch of Spanish business Gestamp in Bielefeld.