Even though Spain’s King Felipe visits Latin American countries routinely, his trip to Mexico last week was a watershed moment in relations between the two nations.

It all started when former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, leader of a populist movement, asked the King to apologize for Spain’s conquest of the Americas. His Majesty forwarded the letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Spain did not apologize.

Then when current Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in, she left King Felipe off the invitation list for the ceremonies.

That’s why their meeting in Mexico City last week ahead of his attendance at a World Cup game was so important. It looks like both sides have decided to move on.

Although Spain didn’t apologize, the Spanish government worked with Mexico earlier this year on an exhibition on indigenous women. The King attended and spoke about abuses during the conquest.

King Felipe could attend another World Cup game this year, particularly if Spain makes it to the final.

Members of the Spanish Royal Family have expressed solidarity and vowed support for the people of Venezuela following last week’s eartquakes.

The Queen Sofia Foundation, led by King Felipe’s mother, pledged an initial €20,000 along with medicine and other aid to the Latin American country, according to media reports.

Queen Letizia spoke with media outlets in person following the initial quakes, promising Spanish government assistance. King Felipe was on the way to Mexico at the time.

The Spanish Royal Household also wrote on social media, “All our support to the Venezuelan people in the face of the tragedy caused by the two earthquakes that have affected the country.

“We want to convey our solidarity, our affection, and our strength to all the injured and the communities that have suffered this disaster. We share in the grief of the families of the victims.”

The Spanish Royal Family has given Pope Leo XIV a grand welcome as he begins a week-long visit to the country, which has long been associated with the Catholic Church.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia welcomed the pontiff at the Madrid airport’s Terminal of State, which members of the Royal Family use for official travel.

They then had a formal welcoming ceremony at the Madrid Royal Palace, with participation from Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia.

On Saturday, Pope Leo gave a mass to a large crowd in downtown Madrid. Members of the Royal Family were on stage. Also, the king’s sisters — Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina — were in the audience with some of their children.

Protocol dictates that Queen Letizia, a Catholic queen, can wear white when meeting the Pope. Other women must wear black.

King Felipe traveled to Costa Rica this month to attend the inauguration ceremonies for incoming President Laura Fernández Delgado.

His Majesty received a warm welcome from those who attended the transfer-of-power ceremony at the National Stadium in San José.

When King Felipe was crown prince, King Juan Carlos deputized him to attend Latin American inauguration ceremonies. The task may eventually fall on Princess Leonor, who will soon begin her college studies.

Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish throne, will study political science at Carlos III University in Madrid starting in the fall, the Royal Household said last week.

The Princess of Asturias has been going through years of military training following her graduation from high school and oath to Parliament as heir.

A release from the Royal Household said the princess would perform official duties as heir to the throne during her time studying at Carlos III University.

Queen Sofia has arrived to Palma in the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, her traditional Holy Week getaway.

This will be the first year the Queen Mother goes to Palma without her sister Princess Irene and close cousin Tatiana Radziwill, who died in recent months.

Queen Sofia’s daughters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina, are on the island keeping their mother company. And the media sighted King Felipe having dinner with friends.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia traveled to Rome earlier this month for a meeting with Pope Leo XIV and renew a centuries-old tradition.

His Majesty took on the role of Protocanon of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. He will serve as a patron of the basilica and help with its upkeep.

Saint Mary Major is the basilica where Pope Francis is buried. Their majesties took time to honor the late pontiff.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia met with the current pope and other officials at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.

Queen Letizia, as a Catholic queen, is able to wear white to meet with the pope, according to centuries-old-protocol. Other women must wear black.

King Felipe caused a stir this month during a visit to a museum exhibit about indigenous Mexican women when he said Spain had committed abuses during centuries ago.

Mexico’s populist leaders have been pressing the King to apologize for Spain’s conquest of the America’s. Spain has repeatedly rejected doing so.

So this month’s comments may have been a calculated way for King Felipe to at least recognize some of the violence of the past without expressing regret for his nation’s imperial legacy.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum went out of her way not to invite King Felipe to her inauguration ceremonies. He has attended Latin American inaugurations for decades.

Latin America trip

His Majesty did get a warm welcome this month during stops in Bolivia and Chile, including meeting Chile’s new president, José Antonio Kast Rist.

The Bolivia trip included a visit to the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore.

Queen Sofia, King Felipe’s mother, has returned to public duties following the death of her sister Princess Irene and cousin Princess Tatiana Radziwill just weeks apart around the Christmas holidays.

The princesses have been Queen Sofia’s companions for decades. Princess Irene lived at the Zarzuela Royal Palace and Princess Tatiana visited Spain regularly.

Even though their deaths were a major blow for the Spanish Queen Mother, she has retaken her agenda. It doesn’t come as a surprise.

Queen Sofia led an Orthodox memorial for her sister in Madrid last month, 40 days after her death. Her Majesty grew up Greek Orthodox as princess of Greece but converted to Catholicism before marrying King Juan Carlos in the 1960s.

Last week was tough for Spain and the Spanish Royal Family — having to rush from the funeral of beloved Princess Irene, Queen Sofia’s sister, to the site of a deadly train crash.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia were in Greece early last week for Princess Irene’s funeral and then burial at Tatoi Palace following a service in Madrid.

But once the crash happened, Their Majesties told media outlets they would return to Spain earlier than expected to monitor the crash situation.

Princess Irene’s death was not unexpected following a lengthy illness, but she has been Queen Sofia’s constant companion for decades.

Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark never married. She was first companion to her mother, Queen Frederica of Greece, and then to Queen Sofia.