Nov. Royal of the Month: Queen Sofia of Spain


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Alexandria

Heir Apparent
Joined
Jan 14, 2003
Messages
3,207
Country
Canada
NOVEMBER'S ROYAL OF THE MONTH: QUEEN SOFIA OF SPAIN

A member of one of Europe’s oldest royal houses (she can count Queen Victoria of England, German Emperors and Russian Tsars as relatives) and the epitome of queenly class and elegance, Queen Sofia of Spain, née Princess Sophie of Greece and Hanover, celebrates her 66th birthday this November 2.

The eldest daughter of King Paul I and Queen Frederika was born in Athens, later joined by her siblings King Constantine (born 1940 in Athens, Greece) and Princess Irene (born 1942 in Cape Town, South Africa).

During World War II, the Greek royal family was forced into exile, with Queen Sofia spending much of her childhood in Egypt and South Africa, before returning to Greece again in 1946.

As a young student, the future Queen studied at Schloss Salem, a German boarding school, later pursuing an education in childcare, music and archeology in Athens.

The Queen has been bestowed several honorary degrees and doctorates from educational institutions from around the world, including the San Fernando Academy and the History Academy, and the universities of Rosario, Valladolid, Cambridge, Oxford, Georgetown and Evora. In October 2000, Queen Sofia received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from New York University (NYU). The Queen was recognized for her longstanding efforts in health, education, agriculture, the improvement of lives for women and her support of the arts and humanities. NYU President L. Jay Oliva said at the time of the conferment, “Her Majesty is greatly admired and respected for her support of women throughout the Third World, for her leadership in the fight against drug addiction, and for efforts on behalf of the disabled. It will be a great privilege and pleasure for me to confer upon her an honorary degree in recognition of her leadership of so many important humanitarian causes.”


In September 1961, the exiled Spanish royal family announced from Switzerland (with a formal presentation in Athens, Greece) the engagement of their eldest son Don Juan Carlos de Borbón y Borbón to Princess Sophie of Greece. The wedding took place the following spring, on 14 May 1962, when the 23-year-old princess married the future King of Spain in a glittering Catholic and Orthodox ceremony attended by more than 150 members of Europe’s royal families. Among the guests, were Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, Queen Ingrid of Denmark and Prince Ranier of Monaco and his glamorous wife, Princess Grace.

The young couple became a young family the following year with the birth of their first daughter, Elena Maria Isabel Dominica de Silos de Borbón y Grecia, on 20 December 1963 in Madrid. Daughter Cristina Federica de Borbón y Grecia was born on 13 June 1965, also in Madrid. The family was complete on 30 January 1968 with the birth of Felipe Juan Pablo and Alfonso de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Grecia, now the Prince of Asturias.

On 22 November 1975, following the death of Spain’s former head of state Francisco Franco, Don Juan Carlos was coronated the King of Spain, with his wife and three young children at his side. Only 20 days after her 37th birthday, the Greek born princess became the Queen of Spain.

While Queen Sofia participates in many official functions within Spain and with other Spanish-speaking nations around the world, the Queen is also an avid supporter of numerous social causes and cultural programs, as well as being involved in international organizations which aid women, children and provide viable economic solutions for the disadvantaged.

Through a small amount of funding contributed by the Queen herself, the Queen Sofia Foundation was established on 17 May 1977. The purpose of the non-profit charity and cultural foundation was twofold: to improve the welfare of all men and women and to support the cultural and artistic heritage of Spain through development and the maintenance of regional and local traditions. Today, the foundation continues to aid the less fortunate through financing social and humanitarian aid projects in co-operation with the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation. The Queen has made several humanitarian visits through this joint effort, including Bangladesh (1996), Paraguay (1997), Guatemala (1997), Tanzania and Mozambique (1998), Peru and Ecuador (1999), the Philippines and Bangladesh (2000), Central America (2001), Vietnam (2002) and the Philippines and China (2003).

Queen Sofia, a classical music lover, is also a major supporter of the arts. She is an honorary chairman of the Queen Sofia Higher School of Music.

In addition to her love of classical music, the Queen is also a sports lover, particularly sailing. (She was a reserve member of the Greek sailing team at the Rome Olympic Games in 1960.) Throughout the winter months, the Queen is fond of skiing.

A devoted mother to her three children, each grown and married now, the Queen is also a doting grandmother to five grandchildren (so far): Felipe Juan Froilan de Todos los Santos (born 1998) and Victoria Federica (born 2000), the children of her daughter Infanta Elena, and Juan Valentin de Todos los Santos (born 1999), Pablo Nicolas (born 2000) and Miguel (born 2002), the sons of her daughter Infanta Cristina.

Queen Sofia is a thoroughly admired and loved member of the royal family, and much heralded by the Spanish people.

--With files from Anna_R and lucys
 
Last edited:
Princess Sophie of Greece

Young Princess Sofie of Greece growing up through the years with her family, parents King Paul I and Queen Frederik and siblings Prince Constantine and Princess Irene in Greece.

Source: Seegerpress and Corbis
 

Attachments

  • Sofia-1.jpg
    Sofia-1.jpg
    27.9 KB · Views: 1,394
  • Sofia-2.jpg
    Sofia-2.jpg
    39.4 KB · Views: 536
  • Sofia-3.jpg
    Sofia-3.jpg
    33 KB · Views: 472
  • Sofia-4.jpg
    Sofia-4.jpg
    35.3 KB · Views: 576
  • Sofia-5.jpg
    Sofia-5.jpg
    37 KB · Views: 499
  • sofia-6.jpg
    sofia-6.jpg
    47.8 KB · Views: 417
  • Sofia-7.jpg
    Sofia-7.jpg
    43.2 KB · Views: 481
  • sofia-8.jpg
    sofia-8.jpg
    48.5 KB · Views: 517
  • Young lady-1.jpg
    Young lady-1.jpg
    35.3 KB · Views: 536
  • Young lady-2.jpg
    Young lady-2.jpg
    50.2 KB · Views: 549
Last edited:
Engagment and Wedding

September 1961: The engagement of Don Juan Carlos of SPain to Princess Sophie of Greece is announced. Present at the announcement were King Paul I and Queen Frederika and their children Prince Constantine and Princess Irene and Don Juan de Borbón y Battenberg, Count of Barcelona and Dona Maria de las Mercedes de Borbon y Orleans, Countess of Barcelona.

14 May 1962: The glittering royal wedding of the future King and Queen of Spain in Athens, Greece. The maids of honor were Irene of Greece, Irene of the Netherlands, Alexandra of Kent, Benedikte and Anne Marie of Denmark, Anne of France, Pilar of Spain and Princess Tatiana Radziwill. The best were Prince Michael of Greece, the Duke of Aosta, don Alfonso de Bourbon and Infante Alfonso of Orleans.

Source: Seegerpress, Corbis and LIFE magazine
 

Attachments

  • Engage-1.jpg
    Engage-1.jpg
    43.8 KB · Views: 739
  • Engage-2.jpg
    Engage-2.jpg
    75.1 KB · Views: 662
  • Engagement ball-1.jpg
    Engagement ball-1.jpg
    41 KB · Views: 685
  • Engagement ball-2.jpg
    Engagement ball-2.jpg
    46.6 KB · Views: 688
  • Wedding-1a.jpg
    Wedding-1a.jpg
    44.9 KB · Views: 2,069
  • Wedding-2.jpg
    Wedding-2.jpg
    42.8 KB · Views: 1,728
  • Wedding-3.jpg
    Wedding-3.jpg
    55.7 KB · Views: 1,788
  • Wedding-4.jpg
    Wedding-4.jpg
    38.2 KB · Views: 1,860
  • Wedding-5.jpg
    Wedding-5.jpg
    41.4 KB · Views: 2,001
  • Wedding-6.jpg
    Wedding-6.jpg
    38.5 KB · Views: 2,311
Sofia and Juan Carlos

Husband and wife through the years.

Source: Seegerpress and Corbis
 

Attachments

  • juan carlos-sofia-1.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-1.jpg
    40.7 KB · Views: 768
  • juan carlos-sofia-2.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-2.jpg
    37.9 KB · Views: 714
  • juan carlos-sofia-3.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-3.jpg
    30.7 KB · Views: 712
  • juan carlos-sofia-4.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-4.jpg
    36.6 KB · Views: 698
  • juan carlos-sofia-5.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-5.jpg
    35.5 KB · Views: 703
  • juan carlos-sofia-6.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-6.jpg
    35.1 KB · Views: 824
  • juan carlos-sofia-7.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-7.jpg
    39.5 KB · Views: 707
  • juan carlos-sofia-8.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-8.jpg
    44.7 KB · Views: 454
  • juan carlos-sofia-9.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-9.jpg
    42.2 KB · Views: 453
  • juan carlos-sofia-10.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-10.jpg
    42.9 KB · Views: 393
Working King and Queen

The hard working King and Queen of Spain, within the country as well as representing Spain abroad.

Source: Seegerpress and Corbis
 

Attachments

  • juan carlos-sofia-1.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-1.jpg
    36.3 KB · Views: 674
  • juan carlos-sofia-2.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-2.jpg
    54.1 KB · Views: 435
  • juan carlos-sofia-3.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-3.jpg
    41.1 KB · Views: 478
  • juan carlos-sofia-4.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-4.jpg
    51.5 KB · Views: 506
  • juan carlos-sofia-5.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-5.jpg
    47.6 KB · Views: 820
  • juan carlos-sofia-6.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-6.jpg
    50.5 KB · Views: 1,302
  • juan carlos-sofia-7.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-7.jpg
    40.2 KB · Views: 405
  • juan carlos-sofia-8.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-8.jpg
    74.3 KB · Views: 444
  • juan carlos-sofia-9.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-9.jpg
    41 KB · Views: 383
  • juan carlos-sofia-10.jpg
    juan carlos-sofia-10.jpg
    20.1 KB · Views: 561
The Young Family

The young family growing up through the years, from husband and wife to mom and dad with two little adorable little girls and a handsome little boy.

Source: Seegerpress and Corbis
 

Attachments

  • A.jpg
    A.jpg
    43.9 KB · Views: 812
  • B.jpg
    B.jpg
    40.8 KB · Views: 990
  • C.jpg
    C.jpg
    49.2 KB · Views: 677
  • D.jpg
    D.jpg
    44.1 KB · Views: 757
  • E.jpg
    E.jpg
    40.1 KB · Views: 766
  • F.jpg
    F.jpg
    40.5 KB · Views: 691
  • G.jpg
    G.jpg
    48.9 KB · Views: 684
  • H.jpg
    H.jpg
    40.2 KB · Views: 769
  • I.jpg
    I.jpg
    36 KB · Views: 704
  • J.jpg
    J.jpg
    50.6 KB · Views: 822
Engagements and Weddings

The expanding family: Engagements and weddings for the King and Queen's children.

Engagement and wedding of Infanta Elena to Jaime de Marichalar, the Duke and Duchess of Lugo (1995)

Engagement and wedding of Infanta Cristina to Inaki Urdangarin, the Duke and Duchess of Palma Mallorca (1997)

Engagement and wedding of Prince Felipe to Letizia Ortiz, Prince and Princess of Asturias (2004)

Source: Corbis and IBL
 

Attachments

  • elena-engage.jpg
    elena-engage.jpg
    42.4 KB · Views: 409
  • elena-wedding.jpg
    elena-wedding.jpg
    47.2 KB · Views: 473
  • cristina-engage.jpg
    cristina-engage.jpg
    41.5 KB · Views: 398
  • cristina-wedding.jpg
    cristina-wedding.jpg
    48.1 KB · Views: 462
  • felipe-engage.jpg
    felipe-engage.jpg
    34.7 KB · Views: 1,126
  • felipe-wedding.jpg
    felipe-wedding.jpg
    45.2 KB · Views: 412
The Grown Family

The grown family: Infantas Elena and Cristina and Prince Felipe as young adults and with their respective spouses. And


Source: Seegerpress, Corbis, Colorpress and Casa Real
 

Attachments

  • 1.jpg
    1.jpg
    49.7 KB · Views: 464
  • 2.jpg
    2.jpg
    53.8 KB · Views: 443
  • 3.jpg
    3.jpg
    43 KB · Views: 454
  • 4.jpg
    4.jpg
    42.7 KB · Views: 596
  • 5.jpg
    5.jpg
    50.5 KB · Views: 379
  • 6.jpg
    6.jpg
    34.4 KB · Views: 374
  • 7.jpg
    7.jpg
    48.6 KB · Views: 303
  • 8.jpg
    8.jpg
    20 KB · Views: 1,074
  • 9.jpg
    9.jpg
    21.8 KB · Views: 1,221
  • 10.jpg
    10.jpg
    39.2 KB · Views: 397
Grandma Sofia

The Queen is a grandmother five times over through the children of her daughters. She is a doting grandmother to Felipe Juan "Froilan" and Victoria Marichalar and Juan Valentin "Juanito," Pablo and Miguel Urdangarin.

In order, from left to right by first row:

Presentation of Froilan de Marichalar (born July 1998).

Presentation of Juanito Urdangarin (born September 1999).

Presentation of Pablo Urdangarin (born December 2000).

Presentation of Victoria de Marichalar (born September 2000).

With Froilan.

Sailing with Juanito, Pablo and Miguel.

The official Christmas card from the King and Queen with all their children in Zarzuela Palace, December 2003.

A day with with Froilan and Victoria.

This summer with her grandchildren.

Getting a kiss from Froilan and Victoria.

Source: Seegerpress, Corbis, Rex Features, Colourpress and IBL
 

Attachments

  • 1-Froilan-birth.jpg
    1-Froilan-birth.jpg
    48.4 KB · Views: 383
  • 2-Juanito-birth.jpg
    2-Juanito-birth.jpg
    37.9 KB · Views: 531
  • 3-Pablo-birth.jpg
    3-Pablo-birth.jpg
    33.7 KB · Views: 344
  • 4-Victoria-birth.jpg
    4-Victoria-birth.jpg
    56.1 KB · Views: 349
  • 5-Grandma.jpg
    5-Grandma.jpg
    34.4 KB · Views: 328
  • 6-Grandma.jpg
    6-Grandma.jpg
    38.7 KB · Views: 393
  • 7-Grandma.jpg
    7-Grandma.jpg
    40.5 KB · Views: 1,192
  • 8-Grandma.jpg
    8-Grandma.jpg
    21.9 KB · Views: 1,137
  • 9-Grandma.jpg
    9-Grandma.jpg
    31.1 KB · Views: 311
  • 10-Grandma.jpg
    10-Grandma.jpg
    45.4 KB · Views: 344
Last edited:
Return to Greece

The Greek-born Queen Sofia has returned to her birth country on several occasions, including for her mother Queen Frederika's funeral, a visit in October 1999 with King Juan Carlos and most recently, for the Athens Olympic Games.

Source: Seegerpress, Corbis and Julia
 

Attachments

  • 1.jpg
    1.jpg
    45.2 KB · Views: 371
  • 2.jpg
    2.jpg
    51 KB · Views: 382
  • 3.jpg
    3.jpg
    51.1 KB · Views: 353
  • 4.jpg
    4.jpg
    49.2 KB · Views: 286
  • 5.jpg
    5.jpg
    46.2 KB · Views: 388
  • 6.jpg
    6.jpg
    39.1 KB · Views: 267
The Queen Sofia Foundation

Through the joint efforts of the Queen Sofia Foundation and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, the Queen has made numerous humanitarian visits around the world, including Bangladesh, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Tanzania and Vietnam.

Source: Seegerpress, Polfoto and Casa Real
 

Attachments

  • bangladesh-1.jpg
    bangladesh-1.jpg
    55.2 KB · Views: 312
  • honduras-1.jpg
    honduras-1.jpg
    54.3 KB · Views: 412
  • peru-1.jpg
    peru-1.jpg
    56.2 KB · Views: 348
  • peru-2.jpg
    peru-2.jpg
    44.2 KB · Views: 1,051
  • tanzania-1.jpg
    tanzania-1.jpg
    58.8 KB · Views: 307
  • Tanzania-2.jpg
    Tanzania-2.jpg
    43.2 KB · Views: 314
  • vietnam-1.jpg
    vietnam-1.jpg
    57.2 KB · Views: 234
  • Trip-1.jpg
    Trip-1.jpg
    47.8 KB · Views: 967
  • trip-2.jpg
    trip-2.jpg
    51.9 KB · Views: 377
Queen Sofia

The always lovely Queen Sofia of Spain.

Source: Seegerpress, Corbis, Colourpress, Casa Real, Polfoto and IBL
 

Attachments

  • Sofia-2.jpg
    Sofia-2.jpg
    37.5 KB · Views: 353
  • Sofia-3.jpg
    Sofia-3.jpg
    62.7 KB · Views: 337
  • Sofia-4.jpg
    Sofia-4.jpg
    38.4 KB · Views: 461
  • Sofia-5.jpg
    Sofia-5.jpg
    46 KB · Views: 406
  • Sofia-6.jpg
    Sofia-6.jpg
    26 KB · Views: 904
  • Sofia-7.jpg
    Sofia-7.jpg
    40 KB · Views: 356
  • Sofia-8.jpg
    Sofia-8.jpg
    38.9 KB · Views: 374
  • Sofia-9.jpg
    Sofia-9.jpg
    41.9 KB · Views: 420
  • Sofia-10.jpg
    Sofia-10.jpg
    40.2 KB · Views: 395
  • Sofia-11.jpg
    Sofia-11.jpg
    19.8 KB · Views: 924
Last edited:
For more on Queen Sofia, try the following links.


Princess Sophie of Greece: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409


Wedding of Prince Juan Carlos of Spain to Princess Sophie of Greece: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155&highlight=juan+carlos


King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, News and Pictures Part 1: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2155&page=1&pp=20


King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, News and Pictures Part 2: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3546&page=1


Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1414&page=1

 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom