In Madrid, the entry into force of the agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom on Gibraltar has opened a new chapter in relations between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom.  Separately, a report published by El País indicates that discussions are underway regarding a future state visit by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom. 

According to journalist Miguel González of El País in Spain, Casa de Su Majestad el Rey and Buckingham Palace have been discussing a future state visit by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom.  Mr. González reports that the visit is expected to take place during the second half of 2027, although no official announcement has been made. 

The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Kingdom of Spain, His Excellency Alex Ellis, said it would be “an honour” to welcome His Majesty King Charles III to the Kingdom of Spain, adding that such visits have historically been complicated, in part because of Gibraltar.

The agreement, which entered into force this week, removes routine border controls at the Gibraltar–Kingdom of Spain frontier and is intended to facilitate the movement of people and goods while preserving the longstanding positions of both the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Spain on sovereignty.

At this time, however, neither Casa de Su Majestad el Rey nor Buckingham Palace has announced a date or officially confirmed a state visit. According to El País, discussions between the two royal households remain ongoing.

If the visit takes place, it would be the first state visit by a British monarch to the Kingdom of Spain since the late Queen Elizabeth II in October 1988. It would also reciprocate the state visit made by Their Majesties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain to the United Kingdom in mid-July 2017.