Queen Letizia of Spain cut a solemn figure as she paid her respects to Pope Francis in Madrid on Tuesday. 

The royal, 52, and her husband King Felipe, 57, and her mother-in-law Queen Sofia, 86, were welcomed by the Spanish Apostolic Nuncio, Bernardito Cleopas Auza, who acts as Pope Francis’ ambassador and represents the Vatican.

The Pope died on Easter Monday from a stroke and heart failure at the age of 88 and ‘passed away peacefully’ at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican, according to his doctors.

He reportedly woke up when his alarm went off at 6am, fell ill at 7am and died from a stroke at 7.35am.

Justice Minister Félix Bolaños said in a televised address that Spain – where most of the population is Catholic – will mourn Francis’ death for three days.   

Felipe, Letizia and Sofia joined their nation in grieving the Pope’s passing as they dressed in dark clothing sign the Pope’s book of condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Madrid. 

Letizia donned a conservative long-sleeved belted black dress for the occasion, which came to just below her knee.

She paired her respectful ensemble with glossy black slingback heels, a black leather handbag and silver stud earrings, whereas Queen Sofia opted for a stylish black pantsuit with heeled boots.

The royal, 52, and her husband King Felipe, 57, were welcomed by the Spanish Apostolic Nuncio, Bernardito Cleopas Auza, on Tuesday

Queen Letizia of Spain cut a solemn figure as she paid her respects to Pope Francis in Madrid on Tuesday

Queen Letizia gave a slight smile as she waved to the cameras in Madrid on Tuesday

She wore her shiny chocolate tresses down in a straightened blow-dry and opted for natural makeup to match her pared back look.

King Felipe looked dapper in a suit, a crisp white shirt, a black tie and polished shoes as he greeted officials. 

He released a statement about Pope Francis’ death on behalf of himself and his wife as they offered their ‘most heartfelt regret’ at the news.

‘His Holiness Pope Francis has testified throughout his pontificate to the importance of love of neighbour, brotherhood and social friendship for the world of our century,’ it said. 

‘We will always be inspired by his conviction of the need to bring encouragement and comfort to the poorest and most needy and the importance he gave to dialogue and consensus to achieve a more just and supportive world.’ 

‘In the face of pain for his loss, the Queen and the entire Royal Family join me to convey to the entire Catholic Church, our condolences and our affection, as well as our prayers for their eternal rest. Receive, Most Reverend Eminence, the testimony of my highest Consideration and esteem.’ 

Queen Letizia and King Felipe met Pope Francis one year into his role as the head of the Catholic church in 2014, after Pope Benedict XVI became the first Pope to resign in 600 years in 2013.

During the visit, the mother-of-two donned an all-white ensemble as she one of the seven Catholic Queens, Princesses and Duchesses who has ‘il privilegio del bianco’ (the privilege of the white) which allows female royals to wear white in front of the Pope.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain meet Pope Francis in 2014 and she opted to wear white 

King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia all enter Apostolic Nunciature to pay their respects to Pope Francis 

Letizia was pictured chatting to her mother-in-law Queen Sofia at the reflective event on Tuesday

Queen Letizia donned a conservative long-sleeved belted black dress for the occasion, which came to just below her knee

Letizia is pictured signing Pope Francis’ book of condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Madrid

All three royals looked solemn as they gazed at a picture of the late Pope as their paid their respects to him

Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Maria Teresa, The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg are all allowed to wear white in front of the Pope. 

‘The privilege of the white’ also extends to Belgium’s Queen Paola and Princess Marina of Naples.

Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official certification, said that the Pope had a prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes.

In London’s Westminster Cathedral, more than a thousand mourners gathered this evening to mourn Pope Francis. 

The pews inside the Cathedral, which is the largest Catholic Church in the UK, were packed with many people, both young and old, as the first of three masses to honour the pontiff began.

Meanwhile, Italy has announced five days of mourning until Saturday, when the late pontiff’s funeral will be held outside St Peter’s Basilica.