Spain's new king Felipe VI sworn in in muted ceremony

Spain's new King Felipe VI and his wife Queen Letizia parade through the streets of Madrid from the Congress of Deputies to the Royal Palace

Reuters/MadridSpain's new king, Felipe VI, was sworn in on Thursday in a low-key ceremony which monarchists hope will usher in a new era of popularity for the troubled royal household. Felipe became king after his father, Juan Carlos, abdicated earlier this month following a series of scandals that led many Spaniards to question the role of the monarchy itself. Hopes for the new king are high, and some believe that, despite his role being mainly symbolic as head of state, he will use his position to push dialogue over the challenge of a separatist movement in wealthy northeastern Catalonia.