King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain recently made a public appearance amid political protests across the country. The royal couple opened a new art exhibition in Madrid, focusing on

Picasso's early 20th-century works, marking the 50th anniversary of the artist's death. Subsequently, Queen Letizia presented journalism prizes for El Mundo newspaper, highlighting the importance of freedom of expression.

However, these routine royal engagements took on added significance against the backdrop of ongoing protests in Spain over the formation of a new government. The political landscape has been tense since the recent inconclusive general election, with the Partido Popular winning the most seats but failing to secure a majority. After the party's leader, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, couldn't form a coalition, King Felipe asked Pedro Sanchez, the incumbent Prime Minister, to attempt to create a new administration.

Sanchez successfully formed a diverse coalition, including separatist parties from Catalonia, a move that has sparked widespread protests. Tens of thousands took to the streets over the weekend to express their dissatisfaction with the political developments.

The royal household has become entangled in the political discourse, with some criticism directed at King Felipe for his perceived low profile in recent days. The official royal social media channels have experienced an unprecedented influx of direct comments, reflecting the public's heightened interest and engagement in the political situation.

Despite the political tensions, the King and Queen fulfilled their royal duties, touring the Picasso exhibition and meeting those involved in its curation. Queen Letizia proceeded to present journalism prizes, emphasizing the importance of freedom in journalism.

It's noteworthy that Queen Sofia, King Felipe's mother, made a public appearance shortly after the weekend protests. Attending an event accompanied by her sister, Princess Irene of Greece, Queen Sofia's presence was observed by commentators as the first from the royal family following the significant public demonstrations.

The royal household, however, has refrained from making any official comments on the political developments or the public response. As Spain navigates through this politically charged period, the role of the monarchy remains under scrutiny, and the royals continue to carry out their duties in the face of heightened public attention. Photo by Presidencia de la República Mexicana, Wikimedia commons.