Want to know the history of the Spanish Royal Family? Looking for a Spanish Royal Family tree? Our guide to the royal family of Spain gives you the facts & information you want to know.
Since 1978 Spain has been following a system of Constitutional Monarchy with Parliament. This system is very similar to the one followed in Great Britain. The King of Spain is the head of the state and is also responsible for representing the country at an international level. The Royal Family of Spain is comprised of the direct descendents of the current king Juan Carlos.
The Royal Family of Spain does not have free reign to rule. The constitution has limited the powers and roles of the king and all the current or future Monarchs to ceremonial purposes only. Although the king can propose a head of a governmental department it is not necessary that the government accept that proposal. Currently, Spain is ruled by King Juan Carlos I and his family. Before him his grandfather had given up the throne and moved to Rome along with his entire royal family. King Juan Carlos I was born in Rome on 5th January, 1938 but he returned to Spain in 1948 to start his educational life. He married Princess Sofia of Greece on 14th May, 1962 and became the King of Spain on 22nd November 1975. He showed his inclination to restore democracy from the first speech that he delivered as a king.
Spanish Royal Family Tree
In June 1977 the first free elections in Spain were conducted since 1936. The new government passed the current constitution on 6th December 1978 which also comprises of the role of the King of Spain that was to be adopted in future. Although the current King of Spain showed his support for democracy through his act his actions were put to test when the Spanish military decided to take matters in their own hands believing that King Juan was not really in favor of democracy. However, their doubts were put to rest when the king addressed the nation on 23rd February 1981 to show his support towards democracy. The people of Spain showed their support to the Kings’ decision by conducting a march of 1 million people on the streets of Madrid on 27th February 1981.
Spanish Royal Family Titles
Although the Royal family of Spain does not have much power regarding the government they still retain their titles along with all the rights associated with it. Given below is a list of the titles and the style with which the Royal Family of Spain is addressed.
1. The King Juan Carlos holds the title His Majesty
2. The Queen Sofia holds the title Her Majesty
3. The Prince of Spain, The Prince of Asturias (Crown Prince) holds the titles The Royal Highness.
4. The wife of The Crown Prince holds the title Her Royal Highness.
5. The eldest daughter of the Crown Prince The Infanta Leonor de Borbón y Ortiz holds the title Her royal Highness.
6. The youngest daughter of the Crown Prince The Infanta Sofía de Borbón y Ortiz holds the title Her Royal Highness.
7. The eldest daughter of the king The Infanta Elena holds the titles with the style Her Royal Highness while her husband holds the title His Excellency.
8. The younger daughter of the king The Infanta Cristina holds the title Her Royal Highness while her husband holds the title His Excellency
