Europe’s constitutional kings and queens are mostly figureheads. “Mostly” is an important word there. Contrary to popular belief, they do have certain powers.

In Spain and in other nations, the monarch plays a role who ends up governing. King Felipe’s role is particularly pivotal.

Now that Spanish voters delivered an inconclusive result, His Majesty will be meeting with whoever is chosen to president over the Chamber of Deputies. He will also meet with all party leaders.

Once those consultations are over, King Felipe will task one of the party leaders with forming a government based on the likelihood of success.

If one leader fails, the king may choose someone else to give it a go. A continued impasse could mean new elections.

But if there is success, King Felipe will take the new prime minister’s oath and that of his ministers. They must all swear allegiance to him and the constitution.

The Spanish government’s Patrimonio Nacional, or National Heritage agency, which runs many royal palaces and sites, is opening a new museum of royal collections later this month.

It’s the first major museum opening in Madrid in years and expected to contain treasures collected by Spanish monarchs through the centuries.

One piece of note will be the Crown of Atocha, which Queen Isabella II gifted to the Virgin of Atocha in the 1800s after surviving an assassination attempt.

The Crown of Atocha is replete with diamonds and topaz, and also includes a large halo. It is currently not on display.

Similarly, it was only in recent years that King Felipe VI put on display at the Madrid Royal Palace a crown from the 1700s that has been used for high occasions.

The large and heavy crown only looks like Spain’s heraldic crown. It contains coats of arms of kingdoms associated with the Spanish monarchy — but not necessarily Spain’s current constituent kingdoms.

The new Gallery of Royal Collections is considered a masterpiece building near the Madrid Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral.