Queen Sofia of Spain has been presented with one of Spain’s
highest honours by her son, King Felipe VI, as the country’s royals
mark 50 years since the restoration of the monarchy.
King Felipe appeared emotional as he pinned the honour on to his
mother’s shoulder in a moving ceremony in the Royal Palace in
Madrid.
Earlier, he had spoken of Queen Sofia’s integral role in
re-establishing the monarchy and the processes that followed which
would see the country become a democracy after decades of fascist
dictatorship.
There was a prolonged ovation for Queen Sofia after the
presentation of the Toison de Oro which is one of Spain’s most
important awards.
However, there was also controversy as her husband, King Juan
Carlos, wasn’t invited to the ceremony which also saw the country’s
first socialist Prime Minister, Felipe Gonzalez, recognised with
the same honour.
It was Juan Carlos who was proclaimed King of Spain on November
22 1975, two days after the death of the dictator, Francisco
Franco, and questions have been asked as to why someone who played
such a crucial role in the country’s path to democracy has been
left out of the celebrations of its half century.
Other noticeable absences from the guest list were Queen Sofia’s
two daughters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina, and their
children. In the end, only King Felipe and his daughters, Princess
Leonor and Infanta Sofia, saw their grandmother receive the
prestigious honour.
Rey
It was a moment of history for another reason, too. Sofia is the
first queen consort of Spain to be made a member of the Toison de
Oro.
The Spanish queen made her own nod to history with her choice of
outfit. Queen Sofia wore a pale pink suit with full length skirt.
On the day her husband was proclaimed King of Spain in 1975, she
wore a full length pink dress.
It’s also believed that the diamond and ruby bracelet she wore
for the presentation of the Toison de Oro was another nod to
history as it is thought to have belonged to Queen Victoria
Eugenia, the last queen consort of Spain before the Civil War of
1936 -1939 which resulted in Franco taking power.
Queen Sofia later posed for photos with her son, granddaughters
and daughter-in-law, Queen Letizia, who also wore pale pink for the
occasion.
Following the ceremony, King Felipe, Queen Letizia and their
daughters attended a debate about the role of the Crown in
Spain.
It’s understood that King Juan Carlos will attend a private
family lunch which marks the honour given to Queen Sofia and the 50
years of monarchy in Spain.
