Trump receives royals and promises he'll come to Spain

King Felipe and Queen Letizia have paid their first official visit to Washington DC since Donald Trump became US president.

Arriving at a rainy White House on Tuesday, they were welcomed by the President and First Lady, Melania Trump, ahead of a meeting in the Oval Office.

Speaking about the friendship between Spain and the US, Trump said, "Our relationship has been extraordinary over the years and especially so at the moment."

"Excellent relations in trade, military matters and almost everything else possible," he continued.

King Felipe told the president about the five-day visit he and his wife had been making to America, which began last week in New Orleans and San Antonio, two cities with a Spanish heritage that are celebrating their tercentenary. The King highlighted the shared history and "above all, the democratic values that we share".

A clear fan of Spain, Trump, who was also asked to visit by former prime minister, Mariano Rajoy,repeated his interest in visiting in the future as president. "We were there not so long ago and we loved it.The people are very special and it's a very beautiful country."

Trump avoided any mention of the Catalan independence question in Spain, unlike previously.

In his meeting with Trump, King Felipe shared the concern of Spain's allies in the EU over the trade tariffs recently imposed on European steel and aluminium by the American administration, amid fears that the tariffs could be extended to more types of products. But he did not mention the president's controversial immigration policy.