The Mayor of Madrid Ana Botella has called the residents of the Spanish capital to show their "full support" to King Felipe VI by hanging out flags in the streets.

Felipe will ascend the throng on Thursday when he succeeds his father Juan Carlos. He will be driven through the center of the capital from the Spain Congress Building to the Palacio del Oriente, where he will salute the crowds from the palace balcony.

It will be a low-key ceremony with little pomp compared to that for his father's coronation in November 1975, but Botella, who represents the right wing Popular Party, wants to ensure the new king receives the warmth of his people.

"I invite you all to live this memorable day with happiness, joy, pride and hope, for the proclamation of King Felipe VI means as a symbol of continuity and unity of a great national," said Botella on Sunday in the city's arrangement brochure for Thursday's events.

With this "simple proof of patriotism," the residents of Madrid can display their "full confidence in the future," she said, adding the citizens should express their "affection and loyalty to King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, with the hope that from the first day they feel the warm homage of the people of Madrid".

Around 2,000 police will look after security for the ceremony in what will be the biggest security operation in the Spanish capital since Felipe and Letizia's wedding 10 years ago.

Meanwhile the Spanish Royal household confirms that King Juan Carlos received a phone call from US President Barack Obama on Monday in which Obama congratulated him on his "historic" reign, which began in November 1975, and his "constant promotion of democracy" in Spain.

Juan Carlos will sign on Tuesday the law approved last week by the Spanish Congress which confirms his abdication. This law will then come into effect at midnight on Wednesday, when Felipe will officially become the new king. Endi

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