SPAIN’S monarch admitted that the Spanish conquest of the Americas in the 16th century included “much abuse” and “ethical controversies.” 

King Felipe VI made the remarks while speaking with Mexico’s ambassador to Spain, Quirino Ordaz, during a visit to a museum exhibition in Madrid about the role of women in pre-Columbian Mexico.

He said: “There are things that, when we study them, we come to know them, and well, with our current values, they obviously cannot make us feel proud.”

The king’s comments came after years of diplomatic wrangling between the countries over the Mexican government’s demands that Spain apologise for its 1519-1521 conquest of Mexico, which resulted in the death of a large part of the country’s pre-Hispanic population.

Colonial Spain ruled one of the largest empires in history with its territorial holdings spanning five continents at its peak between the 16th and 18th centuries. That included much of Central and South America.

Mexico City was built over the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan.

In 2024, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum did not invite King Felipe to her inauguration over the palace’s refusal to issue a formal apology.