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Spain's King Juan Carlos and his wife Queen Sofia - Source: Reuters -
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The King and Queen of Spain have been officially welcomed at two ceremonies in Wellington on Tuesday morning.
King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia attended a wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Warrior on Tuesday morning.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief of the Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, and Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Chris Finlayson.
The Royal couple then moved on to a state welcome at Parliament where they were greeted by a 100 person tri-service Royal Guard of Honour.
Several hundred people and a large Spanish media contingent turned out to witness the pomp and ceremony.
Following the welcome, the royal couple joined Prime Minister John Key, Speaker Lockwood Smith and Opposition leader Phil Goff for talks.
The King and Queen of Spain last visited New Zealand 21 years ago, their son Prince Felipe was the most recent Spanish royal to visit two years later.
