Spain's Prince Felipe set to become king after June 18 - speaker

Spain's Crown Prince Felipe waves next to his father King Juan Carlos (L) during a ceremony marking the bicentennial of the creation of the order of Saint Hermenegildo at the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, outside Madrid June 3, 2014. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's Prince Felipe will probably succeed his father Juan Carlos as king after June 18, parliament speaker Jesus Posada said on Tuesday, a day after the long-reigning monarch announced he would abdicate.

Juan Carlos said on Monday he would hand over the throne to Felipe in a move aimed at rehabilitating the scandal-hit Spanish monarchy at a time of economic hardship and growing discontent with the wider political elite.