Paul Delaney of The New York Times wrote that "The visit has captured the attention of this nation, whose relations with Britain have been marred by hostility and distrust since the British defeat of the Spanish Armada 400 years ago".
Juan Carlos I refused to attend the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 as the honeymoon was set to be in Gibraltar;[3][2] he later grew closer to the British heir and holidayed with him in Mallorca.
The British royal party requested as protocol not to be served garlic, due to its effects on the breath and on the stomach; Arzak modified his hake recipe and other dishes, which later formed part of a "Reina de Inglaterra" (Queen of England) menu at his own restaurant.
Santiago Castelo of the conservative newspaper ABC wondered if this was due to the presence in the crypt of Philip II of Spain, the king who sent the Spanish Armada and who was viewed unfavourably in English popular memory.
They visited the Museu Picasso and the Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic, where Elizabeth II received 1992 Summer Olympics merchandise featuring the mascot Cobi for her grandchildren.
After three days, the British royal couple departed, being waved off by their Spanish counterparts, the President of the Balearic Islands Gabriel Cañellas and Nicolás Cotoner, 23rd Marquess of Mondéjar.