Queen Sofia is back after several months out of the spotlight in Spain and off the Royal agenda.

Her Majesty visited the Basilica of the Christ of Medinaceli in Madrid for an annual veneration ceremony.

At least one member of the Royal Family has tried to attend the event every year for the last 300 years.

Queen Sofia was said to be taking care of family issues in recent months. At the same time, she has always been deeply committed to keeping up with tradition.

Today she presided over a gathering of the Queen Sofia School of Music along with several family members.

Above is Queen Sofia with arts patron Palona O’Shea, Marquise of O’Shea and mother of Banco Santander SA head Ana Patricia Botín. Queen Sofia’s sister Princess Irene is in the background.

Below is Infanta Irene, O’Shea, Queen Sofia, and then the Queen’s sister and brother-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Soria.

King Felipe is staying out of the country’s ongoing political impasse, which could lead to new elections in the coming weeks.

The King has met with the leaders of different political parties following last year’s inconclusive elections.

His Majesty last month tapped Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez to form a government, after conservative Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was unable to cobble together a coalition. Sanchez also failed to gain enough votes in parliament.

The King could suggest another candidate. But media outlets say he’s staying above the fray, at least for now.

King Felipe met briefly with Catalonia’s new leaders, who are pushing for independence from Spain.

His Majesty gathered with new Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and Parliament President Carme Forcadell late last month at the Gran Liceo theater in Barcelona for the opening of this year’s Mobile World Congress.

The King has struggled to remain impartial amid several political crises in Spain.

Yet, he remains a symbol of the country’s unity and establishment amid separatist and anti-establishment rumblings.

Spanish newspaper El Mundo is wondering what Queen Sofia has been doing in recent months.

Queen Sofia, King Felipe’s mother, has not participated in an official event for months, and has not been seen around Zarzuela Palace.

Sources tell the newspaper she has been spending time with a close circle of family and friends, including her brother deposed Greek King Constantine and cousin Tatiana Radziwill.

Queen Sofia may also be helping take care of grandchildren, including while Infanta Cristina is on trial for corruption allegations tied to her husband.

The newspaper contrasted Queen Sofia’s low-key life to her husband King Juan Carlos’ more lavish semi-retirement.

Don Juan Carlos said in a new French documentary that he saw his wife at funerals, weddings and baptisms.

Sources speculate Queen Sofia remains disturbed by her husband’s behavior and by her daughter’s legal troubles.

King Felipe has been in talks with numerous Spanish political leaders in recent weeks in an effort to build a new government.

Last December’s national elections did not yield a clear winner among establishment and emerging parties.

And numerous disagreements on style and substance are making it difficult for leaders to craft governing coalitions.

The Spanish Constitution gives the King a key role in helping tap the new head of government, particularly in times of political confusion.

His Majesty has been meeting with the heads of each parliamentary formation, except for some anti-monarchist regional nationalist parties.

While making it known he sees the formation of a new government difficult and pressing dialogue, the King is refraining from acting in a way that even appears to violate popular will.

 

King Juan Carlos was back in Latin America this week, attending the inauguration ceremonies for new Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales.

His Majesty met with outgoing President Alejandro Maldonado, and other leaders of the country and region.

King Felipe, King Juan Carlos’ son and current Spanish head of state, used to attend such ceremonies during his time as Prince of Asturias.

The Royal Families tries to keep tight relations with the leaders of Spain’s former colonies.

Catalan nationalists are criticizing King Felipe for what they see as lack of political neutrality.

His Majesty refused to receive the new head of the Catalan Parliament, who wanted to personally transmit word of a new regional president after months of stalemate, media outlets reported.

Catalan nationalists, who are leading an independence movement from Spain, have also complained about the government’s lack of formal appreciation for the outgoing regional president.

The Royal Household, say media outlets, is pointing to the national government and past precedent.

Still, the new Catalan president took his oath of office without swearing allegiance to the Spanish Constitution of the King.

King Felipe is leading a Spain through political turmoil, with national parties still unable to form a government and Catalan leaders insisting on independence.

Don Felipe took another chance to promote the rule of law and coexistence during military ceremonies last week.

“Guaranteeing liberty and the rights of citizens is a demand and responsibility of a country under the rule of law,” Don Felipe said at the annual Pascua Militar at the Madrid Royal Palace.

The Pascua Militar, which literally translates to Military Easter, dates to the 1700’s, when Spanish troops kicked our British forces from the island of Menorca.

Beyond ongoing political challenges, members of the Spanish Royal Family are monitoring the corruption trial of Infanta Cristina and her husband.

Prosecutors accuse him and associates of using public funds for personal gain. Media outlets say the Infanta is preparing herself emotionally to visit her husband in prison.

King Felipe called for dialogue and unity during his much anticipated Christmas Eve speech.

The message came in the wake of national elections, where no party won enough votes to form a government.

Talks are ongoing over potential coalitions. The outcome could be pivotal because of Spain’s ongoing economic, social and political challenges.

“Today’s Spain is very different to the Spain of earlier centuries, thanks to the real and generous willingness to compromise of all its people, their sincere spirit of reconciliation and overcoming our historic differences, and the commitment of the political and social forces to serving all the people and the general interests of the nation, which must always be paramount,” said the King.

The King’s speech was the first ever at the Royal Palace in Madrid, the Crown’s official seat.

Don Felipe said he wanted to express Spain’s greatness with dignity and solemnity.

He also wanted to use the historic structure to highlight the country’s history and call for unity amid a secession movement in Catalonia.

“I sincerely believe that we are living in times when more than ever, we need to recognize in ourselves everything which unites us,” the King said. “We need to see the worth in what we have built together over the years with many great sacrifices, generosity and enormous dedication.”

While promoting unity, the King also highlighted Spain’s diversity.

Commentators praised the King for presenting a prudent and neutral message amid political uncertainty.

Yet, critics in some autonomous regions said His Majesty did not go far enough in recognizing cultural and linguistic differences within the Kingdom.