It has been just for 11 years that, King of Spain. La Zarzuela has been the last year celebrating events – carreras, concerts, exhibitions, etc. – to commemorate the first 10 years of reign of Felipe VI and his wife, Letizia Ortiz. This Thursday, June 19, on the occasion of anniversary of his proclamation, the King has granted noble titles to six Spanish personalities for his “excellent career” thus closing 12 months of phases. They enter the nobility, among others, tennis player Rafa Nadal, New Marqués de Llent de Mallorca; and the singer from now on Marquise of Light and Peace. They are the first noble titles granted by Felipe VI.
With these appointments, Felipe VI wanted to recognize the trajectory of the six new nobles, which all will be Marquis. “They are exponents of excellence, either at the service of the crown or in the field of thought, culture, science, arts and sport.” Among those who receive this title, in addition to Nadal and Luz Casal, are also the head of the King’s house for a decade (until February 2024), and was also head of the Secretariat of the former Prince of Asturias for two decades, which will be Marqués de Alfonsín, with greatness of Spain – the highest distinction of the Spanish nobility; the swimmer, who will be Marquesa de Perales; the biochemist, which will be Marqués de Castillo de Lerés; and the photographer, who will be Marquesa del Valle de Alcudia.
The king has given everyone the title with hereditary character, except López Otín, who will be life. Their appointments will be effective once they are published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), in which the details and conditions of the title granted are specified. These honorary rights cannot be sold or buy and do not imply any economic compensation. In some cases they can reverse the crown when the title is vacant for not having exercised for a certain time the actions aimed at their acquisition or transmission.
“They are a source of pride for Spain and are permanent reference of values that must inspire our society and that are reflected both on June 19, 2014 [día de su proclamación]as in the principles of service, commitment and duty that prints to its reign ”, and that are part of the motto that the zarzuela acquired just a year ago.
The granting of noble titles is a prerogative of the monarch, which has the power to “grant honors and distinctions in accordance with the laws” in accordance with article 62 section F of the Constitution.
It is not the first time that some of these personalities receive recognition from the Royal House. Rafa Nadal, winner of 22 titles of the Great Slam, when the tennis player was 22 years old and received the distinction from the then Prince Felipe. “Rafael Nadal is an exemplary athlete. Both in victory and on the very scarce occasions he knows defeat, he manifests himself as a great athlete,” said the jury. In September 2022, Felipe VI also handed over Nadal V Royal Camino award granted by the University of Alcalá de Henares (UAH). Then he thanked him that, with his effort and excellence, he has become “one of the best ambassadors” in Spain.
The swimmer Teresa Perales, who in the Parish Games in Paris in 2024 – noting the most laureate athlete in history, swimmer Michael Phelps—,. The jury valued the “brilliant trajectory” of Perales, as well as its “deep, active and brave social commitment.” The photographer Cristina García Rodero has not received the Princess of Asturias Award as such, but, International Agency that the 1996 National Photography Award is the first and unique professional of Spain’s full member. The biochemist Carlos López Otín has not won it yet, but has been nominated several times and the Royal Institute of Asturian Studies (Ridea) has repeatedly reiterated his application so that the Princess of Asturias of scientific and technical research is granted to the professor.
López Otín has received the granting of the title of Marqués “with great surprise and with infinite gratitude” and has stated in statements to the EFE agency that the kings have always shown “an enormous interest and respect for everything that represents scientific and humanistic research and its impact on trying to improve the world and life.” After affirming that he feels “proud and grateful” for the recognition, he has also expressed his gratitude to King Felipe for the fact that he has accepted his desire that “this extraordinary distinction does not have a hereditary character.” “My children know well that their place in the world will find him with his work and his daily effort,” added the professor of the University of Oviedo, who has focused his work on the investigation of genomes, cancer, aging and hereditary diseases.
Luz Casal has reacted to his appointment through “Here they have a woman whose current state is a mixture of perplexity, joy, modesty and thanks; to all this revolting of sensations the questions that I have asked myself about the reason and especially if I am deserving of this distinction are added to this time. Distinction of the country, in addition to the key to the city of Paris. “I don’t know if all this is or has been enough to honor this title. Thank you, Majesties from the deepest of my heart,” says the artist in a message in which she remembers the teachings of her parents.
