Havana, November 12 (RHC)-- The president of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, received on Tuesday the King of Spain, Felipe  VI, and his wife, Queen Letizia, who arrived on the island Monday on the first state visit ever of a Spanish monarch to the Caribbean nation.

The ceremony to welcome the King and the Queen took place in the Palace of the Revolution in the Cuban capital.

Prior to the ceremony, Spain’s head of State paid tribute to National Hero José Martí in the memorial of the same name located at Revolution Square.

Accompanied by Cuba's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anayansi Rodriguez, King Felipe VI and Doña Letizia deposited a wreath at the base of the monument to the Apostle of Cuban Independence.

Upon their arrival on Monday evening, theroyals were received at the José Martí airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez.

The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, accompanies their Majesties.

According to the program of the visit, the monarchs will hold conversations with Cuban authorities after an official reception in the Palace of the Revolution on Tuesday.

They will also participate in the inauguration of the Spain-Cuba photographic exhibition, "With you in the distance," allegorical to the relations between both nations, that will open at Havana's Grand Theater “Alicia Alonso” and they will participate in a dance show in their honor.

Before traveling to Santiago de Cuba on Thursday,  Felipe VI and Letizia will tour the historic center of Havana and will present the historian of Havana, Eusebio Leal, with the Grand Cross of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III.