Earlier this month the UK rolled out the red carpet for the State visit of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, the first since 1986. The official arrival ceremony on Horse Guards Parade was followed by a ceremonial procession down The Mall to Buckingham Palace which showed British pageantry at its very best.

The evening saw a spectacular State Banquet at Buckingham Palace. During the banquet, The Queen made a speech in which she emphasised the historical relationship between our two great countries.The State Banquet was attended by King Felipe VI & Queen Letizia of Spain, HRH Queen Elizabeth & the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge as well as Prime Minister Theresa May. Guests were treated to a 3 courses paired menu, including Henriques & Henriques 15 Year Old Bual Madeira served with the dessert, a bitter chocolate tart & raspberries.

A Madeiran institution since its establishment in 1850 Henriques & Henriques is the only Madeira producer to own vineyards, Managing Director & Master Blender Humberto Jardim stated he was very proud to have one of their wines served at the banquet.

The following day the King and Queen of Spain, accompanied by the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence attended a banquet at Guildhall given by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation where Bodegas Hidalgo-La Gitana Pedro Ximénez Triana was served.

Final farewells were said on the Friday morning at Buckingham Palace before the conclusion of the visit at RAF Brize Norton.