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.
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.
