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Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia carry on with duties ahead of Parliament abdication vote

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Princess Letizia scored high in the style stakes as she attended a joint royal engagement with her husband Prince Felipe. The future king and queen of Spain had opened the doors of the royal palace in Madrid to host an annual meeting with members from Felipe's "Príncipe de Asturias" foundation and patronage. Letizia, 41, looked sleek in an asymmetrical black dress that showed off her svelte figure. The mother-of-two accessorised with nude heels and a simple black clutch, and opted for one of her favourite hairstyles — a side plait swept across her forehead.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia © Photo: Getty Images

Princess Letizia and Prince Felipe of Spain

Felipe, meanwhile, looked dashing in a dark suit and blue tie as he delivered a powerful speech to members of the foundation. The prince, who will be crowned king next week, emphasised that he would still like to head the foundation until his eldest daughter Princess Leonor, eight, would be old enough to take on the "exciting and intense" responsibility. Felipe added that he and his wife were living in "very special times", given the imminent abdication of his father King Juan Carlos on 18 June.

Prince Felipe and Princess Leonor© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Leonor and Prince Felipe

Early on Wednesday morning, a bill was presented in the Spanish parliament to formalise the 76-year-old monarch stepping down. The country's leading political groups, the centre-right People's Party and the centre-left Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, showed their support for the King and voted in favour of the bill, contributing to the total 299 who approved it against the 19 who rejected it. Various leftist parties voted against the law, while some nationalist groups abstained.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia © Photo: Getty Images

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia

While some in Spain have called for a referendum on whether the country should retain the monarchy or become a republic, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of the People's Party spoke highly of prince Felipe. The future king has "first-hand knowledge about the diversity of our people and culture," said Mr Rajoy in his speech.

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