King Felipe and Queen Letizia launched their 2025 agenda with the traditional Pascua Militar at the Royal Palace in Madrid on January 6th. The vibes were starkly different from last year.

In January of 2024, Their Majesties were dealing with accusations by her former brother-in-law of infidelity by the Queen. This year things appeared to have stabilized.

The King and Queen days later held a reception with the diplomatic corps.

King Felipe focused on immigration and economic issues during his traditional Christmas Eve address last month.

His Majesty spoke from the Hall of Columns in the Madrid Royal Palace, one of the most important rooms in the country.

Don Felipe focused on the storm that caused severe damage in Valencia, the housing crisis and trying to tackle illegal immigration with compassion but also with a plan.

The monarch said uncontrolled immigration has shown to hurt social cohesion. Indeed, national unity and unified action have been themes of his Christmas Eve remarks for years.

This was the second Christmas Eve speech at the Madrid Royal Palace of King Felipe’s reign. His appearance from the Hall of Columns helped mark his 10th anniversary on the throne. Usually, he appears at Zarzuela Palace — where the king actually lives — outside of central Madrid.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia this week completed an exhaustive state visit to Italy, days after not attending the opening of the restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Critics have said Their Majesties should have attended the ceremonies with other world leaders. Media outlets say a government official could not accompany them.

The Italian visit included stops in Rome and Naples, a city once controlled by King Felipe’s ancestors, and a meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella.

The King was back in Spain on Friday to meet with the presidents of Spain’s autonomous communities.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia returned to Valencia last week to visit the victims of massive flooding there.

Some residents threw mud at Their Majesties and other officials earlier this month, angry at the government’s response.

The King and Queen stayed on site back then and returned in recent days. King Felipe has also been staying in touch with rescue workers and government leaders about the cleanup.

One year’s worth of rain fell in Valencia during the storm. Several other major rain events around Iberia have followed.

King Felipe traveled to Ecuador this month to lead the latest Ibero-American Summit — an event many top Latin American leaders avoided.

Rivalries and ideological differences between countries that used to be a part of the Spanish Empire have long threatened the Organization of Ibero-American States.

King Felipe will be hosting the next summit in Spain and is looking to revive the meetings like his father, King Juan Carlos, did.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia, along with other top officials, visited areas of Valencia hit hard by last week’s destructive floods. Hundreds of people have died.

Some people welcomed Their Majesties, who tried to console victims. Others protested their presence and called for more action.

The government has deployed thousands of troops to the region. Bridges, roads and homes were destroyed.

King Felipe and other members of the Spanish Royal Family scrambled to support rescue workers and residents responding to last week’s devastating floods in Valencia, which have killed hundreds of people.

His Majesty led a moment of silence during a meeting of Ibero-American leaders. Flags are also at half staff, including at the Zarzuela Royal Palace.

King Felipe also held a brief gaggle with members of the media, a very rare occurrence for a monarch.

The Royal Household this weekend posted notes in Spanish and English thanking the international community for their backing.

King Felipe has sent members of the Royal Guard to help with the recovery and is expected to visit the site on Sunday.

King Felipe is expressing concern about political and ideological polarization as amid major election cycles around the globe.

His Majesty, speaking at the Princess of Asturias Awards, warned against the “grave risk of polarization and the rejection of others because of their beliefs.”  

Members of the Spanish Royal Family participated in several events throughout the week related to the awards, which are akin to the Nobel Prizes.

Leonor, the Princess of Asturias, has been taken an increasingly public role as heir to the Spanish throne. She delivered remarks last week on her family and personal ties to the Principality of Asturias. Queen Letizia is from Asturias.

King Felipe was in Jordan earlier this month for an official visit to the Middle Eastern country as war escalates in the region.

His Majesty led a Spanish delegation in a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah on issues dealing with terrorism and closer collaboration.

King Felipe visited Palestinian refugees as part of his trip. Spain is one of a handful of world powers to recognize a Palestinian state.

King Felipe has officially received the Palestinian people’s ambassador to Spain during a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

Spain in recent months recognized Palestine as an independent nation-state. His Majesty this week accepted Husni Abdel Wahed’s credentials this week.

The ambassador has for years been head of the Palestinian delegation in Madrid. Spain’s recognition moved him up in official rank.