Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Infanta Margarita |
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| Duchess of Soria and Hernani | |||||
Margarita with her husband, Carlos, in 2010
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| Born | 6 March 1939 Rome, Kingdom of Italy |
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| Spouse |
Carlos Zurita y Delgado
(m. 1972) |
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| Issue | Alfonso Zurita y Borbón María Zurita y Borbón |
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| House | Bourbons of Spain | ||||
| Father | Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona | ||||
| Mother | Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies | ||||
Infanta Margarita of Spain, also known as the Duchess of Soria and Hernani, was born on March 6, 1939. She is the younger sister of former King Juan Carlos I and the aunt of the current King Felipe VI of Spain. An "Infanta" is a special title given to daughters of the King of Spain, or to children of the heir to the throne.
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Growing Up
Infanta Margarita was born in Rome, Italy. Her parents were Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona, and Princess Mercedes of the Two Sicilies. Margarita has been blind since birth.
Her Family Life
On October 12, 1972, Margarita married Carlos Zurita y Delgado. He is a doctor and a member of the Spanish nobility. Their wedding took place in Estoril, Portugal. They have two children:
- Alfonso Juan Carlos Zurita y de Borbón, born in 1973.
- María Sofía Emilia Carmen Zurita y de Borbón, born in 1975. Queen Sofia of Spain was María's godmother.
Important Activities
Infanta Margarita is involved in many important activities. In 1989, she and her husband created the Fundación Cultural Duques de Soria. This foundation works to promote Spanish culture. She is also the Honorary President of the Madrid branch of UNICEF, which helps children around the world. She is also the Honorary President of the Spanish Heart Foundation, which focuses on heart health.
Titles and Succession
When Infanta Margarita got married, she gave up her right to become queen of Spain. This was because her marriage was not considered a "dynastic wedding," meaning it wasn't a marriage between royal families that would keep the royal line going in a specific way.
In 1979, her cousin, Manfredo de Borbón, passed away. He left his ducal title, the Duke of Hernani, to Margarita. The King of Spain agreed to this, and in 1981, she officially became the 2nd Duchess of Hernani. This title also came with the special honor of being a Grandee of Spain. The title refers to the town of Hernani, Spain. A month later, in June 1981, the King gave her another important title for life. She became the Duchess of Soria, named after the city of Soria in Spain.
Honours and Awards
Infanta Margarita has received several important awards and honours from Spain and other countries. These awards recognize her contributions and her royal status.
From Spain
- Knight Grand Cross of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III
- Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Noble Ladies of Queen Maria Luisa
- Knight Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise
From Other Countries
- From Greece: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Olga and Sophia
- From the Two Sicilies Royal Family (Italy): Knight Grand Cross of Justice of the Two Sicilian Royal Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George
- From Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Infante Henry
See also
In Spanish: Margarita de Borbón para niños
