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.

King Felipe this month called for protecting bonds between Europe and the United States as tensions rise between global leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Europe has been critical of Trump’s intervention in Venezuela and his desire to take over Greenland, a Danish territory.

The King, during a meeting of Spanish ambassadors in Madrid, said everyone loses out from the weakening of transatlantic bonds. He also stressed the importance of shared responsibility and loyalty.

The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has been critical of Trump’s comments on Greenland. He has also criticized U.S. policy with respect to Israel and the Palestinians.

Members of the Spanish Royal Family and their relatives gathered at Madrid’s Orthodox Cathedral on Saturday to mourn the death of Queen Sofia’s sister, Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark.

Princess Irene has been Queen Sofia’s closest and most consistent companion for decades, often called her shadow.

Princess Irene never married. She was first a companion to the late Queen Frederika of Greece and then to Queen Sofia.

Spain’s Queen Mother may be feeling lonelier than ever. In December she lost another extremely close relative, Princess Tatiana Radziwill.

King Felipe focused on the 50th anniversary of Spain beginning its transition to democracy during his Christmas Eve address.

The king also marked the anniversary of Spain joining the European Union, speaking at the Madrid Royal Palace’s storied Hall of Columns, where the treaty of adhesion to the European Economic Community was signed.

His Majesty said Spain has gone through a “transformation without precedent” after spending decades as a dictatorship.

Unlike his previous Christmas Eve speeches, King Felipe spoke standing up. But like many previous addresses, the King called for Spaniards to embrace coexistence amid political divisions.

His Majesty is particularly keen on reminding young people about the fragile nature of democracy and how far Spain has come.