Two months after scrapping a trip to Jamaica, Spanish King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia will pay a two-day state visit to Jamaica from February 17-18.

The royals are expected to arrive at the Norman Manley International Airport.

Before His Majesty addresses Parliament, the couple will open the exhibition 'XAYMACA: Life in Spanish Jamaica, 1494-1655', at the Institute of Jamaica in downtown Kingston.

The royals will lead a delegation that is expected to ink several bilateral accords, including an air-services agreement.

Visit to the old capital

On day two of the royal visit, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia will visit Emancipation Square in Spanish Town, St Catherine. The town, founded by Spanish explorers in 1534, was Jamaica's capital up to 1872. The royals will also officially declare open the refurbished wing of the Spanish Town Hospital. The project was co-financed by the Spanish government.

Queen Sofia will visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston to view the restoration of the church, which has been undertaken with the assistance of Spanish experts.

Before departing, Their Majesties will attend the opening of the refurbished Sangster International Airport and an official luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Their proposed visit to Jamaica from December 2-4, 2008 was postponed because it was deemed too close to the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Spanish constitution, which was scheduled to be held in that country's capital, Madrid, on December 6.