Prince Harry to take his first official role at a state visit

PRINCE HARRY is to undertake his first hosting duties during a state visit, as he steps up to help the Queen to escort the King and Queen of Spain next week.

The Prince, 32, has been tasked with accompanying the royal visitors to Westminster Abbey, where the King will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior before the party are offered a tour.

The three-day visit will see the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh formally welcome King Felipe and Queen Letizia, while the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Duke of York take turns accompanying them.

King Felipe will also visit Downing Street to meet Theresa May during the visit which runs from July 12 to 14, and was postponed from June due to the snap election.

It is the first official state visit to the UK by King Felipe and Queen Letizia. The last visit Spanish royalty was made by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia in 1986, while the Queen and the Duke made a return trip in 1998.

Among the highlights of the trip will be a formal welcome on Horse Guards Parade, where the Guard of Honour will give a royal salute and the Spanish national anthem will be played.

King Felipe will accompany the Duke of Edinburgh, 96, to inspect the Guard of Honour, from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, before a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace for lunch.

Tea at Clarence House, a state banquet and an address by the King in Westminster will follow, as well as the viewing of Spanish-related exhibitions at the Royal Collection and Oxford University.