Spanish national honours are to be conferred on Prime Minister Bruce Golding and wife, Lorna, during the two-day state visit to Jamaica by the king and queen of Spain.

King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía are slated to arrive in the island this afternoon and will confer the Great Cross of the Order of the Civil Merit of Spain on Prime Minister Golding.

Mrs Golding is to receive the Spanish Commander of Distinction award.

The national awards were authorised by the Council of Ministers of Spain at its sitting last Friday.

In a letter signed by Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, Jesús Silva, addressed to Prime Minister Golding, King Juan Carlos I expressed appreciation for the meritorious service rendered by Golding in the interest of the relations between Spain and Jamaica.

The Government had previously announced the conferment of the Order of Excellence on King Juan Carlos and the Order of Jamaica (honorary) on Queen Sofía.

The royal couple will arrive here at 2 p.m. and will be met at the Norman Manley International Airport by Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall, the prime minister and members of the Cabinet.

King Juan Carlos will address Parliament this afternoon before signing bilateral agreements with Golding.

Tomorrow, the royals will have a busy schedule, with meetings in the Corporate Area and St James before leaving the island.