King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Family, General News, Part 3

[Duke of Marmalade]

hola has given up the paywall, pictures now to see

https://www.hola.com/horizon/portrait/435c0b1a8876-studio24298836dv.jpg?im=Resize=(1280),type=downsize

https://www.hola.com/horizon/original_aspect_ratio/2f9b355d7937-284madphoto-press-mm-28.jpg?im=Resize=(1280),type=downsize

https://www.hola.com/horizon/portrait/f397a0bab52e-studio24298844dv.jpg?im=Resize=(1280),type=downsize

https://www.hola.com/horizon/portrait/346ad48a2a78-studio24298828dv.jpg?im=Resize=(1280),type=downsize

https://www.hola.com/horizon/portrait/e24fee4e2382-284madphoto-press-mm-44.jpg?im=Resize=(1280),type=downsize

 

[Blog Real]

Álvaro Vargas Llosa shared the letter sent to him by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia following the death of his father, writer Mario Vargas Llosa.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1912569292702511123

 

[lula]

Yesterday was San Isidro Day, a holiday in Madrid, and King Felipe and Queen Letizia went to the Renoir cinemas to watch the film 'Warfare: Time of War'.

https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2025-05-16/felipe-letizia-san-isidro-plan-para-dos-cine-madrid-guerra-irak_4130336/

 

[Blog Real]

Queen Letizia was at the Madrid Book Fair.

La visita secreta de la reina Letizia a la Feria del Libro de Madrid

Nueva escapada al parque del Retiro y regreso a palacio con bolsas llenas de nuevos títulos

www.hola.com

 

[Blog Real]

King Felipe VI celebrates his 11th anniversary on the throne by granting his first noble titles.

On the eleventh anniversary of his proclamation, Felipe VI grants noble titles for the first time in recognition of outstanding careers in sport, science, culture, and public service.

These are the new titles granted by the King:

- Jaime Alfonsín Alfonso: Marquis of Alfonsín, with Grandee of Spain (hereditary).

- Rafael Nadal Parera, tennis player: Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca (hereditary).

- Teresa Perales Fernández, Paralympic swimmer: Marchioness of Perales (hereditary).

- María Luz Casal Paz, singer: Marchioness of Luz y Paz (hereditary).

- Carlos López Otín, biochemist: Marquis of Castillo de Lerés (lifelong).

- Cristina García Rodero, photographer: Marchioness of the Alcudia Valley (hereditary).

El rey Felipe concede sus primeros títulos nobiliarios: de Rafa Nadal a Luz Casal, ellos son los seis nuevos marqueses

En su undécimo aniversario como jefe del Estado, el rey Felipe VI ha querido marcar un hito simbólico en su reinado concediendo seis nuevos títulos nobiliarios a figuras destacadas

www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com

 

[Somebody]

Interesting that they are still awarding hereditary nobility titles (except for one; I wonder whether he might not have children and Felipe didn't want it to go to a random other family member) for various achievements. Are all of them well-known in Spain? Outside of Spain, I'd say only Rafael Nadal is well-known.

His former private secretary was even made a Grandee of Spain...

Are the specific titles discussed with the recipient. It seems some got a title that relates to their name and others to where they come from?

Related to name:
Alfonsín for Jaime Alfonsín Alfonso
Perales for Teresa Perales Fernández
Luz y Paz (Licht and Peace) for María Luz Casal Paz

Related to place of origin:
Llevant de Mallorca for Rafael Nadal Parera: born in Manacor a city/municipality in the comarca Llevant on the Island of Mallorca)
Castillo de Lerés for Carlos López Otín (born in Sabiñánigo, Huesca, a city 13 km north of the Castillo de Lerés)
Valle de Alcudia for Cristina García Rodero (born in Puertollano, Ciudad Real, a city bordering the Valle (Valley) de Alcudia)

 

[LadyFinn]

King Felipe has granted Rafa Nadal the title of Marqués de Llevant in recognition of his sporting career and his values as a national figure.
The honour was announced on Thursday, the eleventh anniversary of Felipe having become king. The Marquess of Llevant refers to the Mallorcan region where Nadal is from; his home town is Manacor. The noble title is hereditary.
The Royal Household has emphasised that this title has been awarded as a symbol of gratitude and admiration for a figure who has dignified "the name of Spain both within and outside our borders, projecting values of self-improvement, respect, and excellence".

Rafael Nadal joins the nobility

A symbol of gratitude and admiration. The King has granted him the title Marqués de Llevant.

www.majorcadailybulletin.com

 

[meeralakshmi]

King Felipe VI celebrates his 11th anniversary on the throne by granting his first noble titles.

On the eleventh anniversary of his proclamation, Felipe VI grants noble titles for the first time in recognition of outstanding careers in sport, science, culture, and public service.

These are the new titles granted by the King:

- Jaime Alfonsín Alfonso: Marquis of Alfonsín, with Grandee of Spain (hereditary).

- Rafael Nadal Parera, tennis player: Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca (hereditary).

- Teresa Perales Fernández, Paralympic swimmer: Marchioness of Perales (hereditary).

- María Luz Casal Paz, singer: Marchioness of Luz y Paz (hereditary).

- Carlos López Otín, biochemist: Marquis of Castillo de Lerés (lifelong).

- Cristina García Rodero, photographer: Marchioness of the Alcudia Valley (hereditary).

El rey Felipe concede sus primeros títulos nobiliarios: de Rafa Nadal a Luz Casal, ellos son los seis nuevos marqueses

En su undécimo aniversario como jefe del Estado, el rey Felipe VI ha querido marcar un hito simbólico en su reinado concediendo seis nuevos títulos nobiliarios a figuras destacadas

www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com

Congrats to them!

except for one; I wonder whether he might not have children and Felipe didn't want it to go to a random other family member

He does have children so it’s indeed strange that his peerage alone is a life peerage.

 

[Linda_26]

The king of clay is now a Marquis! Congrats to Rafa, another well deserved honour after the incredibly moving ceremony 3 weeks ago at Roland Garros. His 14 titles there will always be one of the most impressive records in sports history.

 

[meeralakshmi]

except for one; I wonder whether he might not have children and Felipe didn't want it to go to a random other family member

He asked for a life peerage.

 

[Somebody]

He asked for a life peerage.

So, that suggests that indeed those peerage are handed out after close consultation with the recipients; I assume they were all offered a hereditary one and 5 out of 6 excepted, while one preferred a life long (personal) one. If you can negotiate that part of the title, I assume the name also is decided on in consultation with the recipient with the 'name' vs 'place of origin' as options - with probably further consultation before they land on the exact title.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

He asked for a life peerage.

I assume your source is the interview with Carlos López-Otín, who says his children understood and supported his decision to ask for his title to be only for life, to which the King agreed.

Carlos López-Otín, nombrado marqués de Castillo de Lerés por Felipe VI: "La investigación es decisiva para tratar de mejorar el mundo y la vida"

Ha sido reconocido con esta distinción por su aportación a la investigación biomédica y su influencia en el ámbito académico y científico

www.eldiariodehuesca.com

 

[meeralakshmi]

Is there a reason all the peerages Felipe granted were marquessates?

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Is there a reason all the peerages Felipe granted were marquessates?

I wondered as well, but saw this explanation from a well-informed and reliable Spanish poster on another forum:

Marchess is the usual title in Spain. Dukedoms rarely granted, except for members of the family ( the last hereditary dukedom in the early 1980’s). Counties also not common. Count means friend and thiose created Counts or Countesses were people close to the Crown. Baronies also rare and given to people from the former Crown of Aragon, where it was common.
I must check it, but life titles usually given to those with no children.

 

[meeralakshmi]

I wondered as well, but saw this explanation from a well-informed and reliable Spanish poster on another forum:

Fascinating, that's pretty much the opposite of the UK as they have far more earls, viscounts, and barons than marquesses (there are only fewer dukes than marquesses). Did they say anything about viscounts in Spain?

 

[Somebody]

I assume your source is the interview with Carlos López-Otín, who says his children understood and supported his decision to ask for his title to be only for life, to which the King agreed.

Carlos López-Otín, nombrado marqués de Castillo de Lerés por Felipe VI: "La investigación es decisiva para tratar de mejorar el mundo y la vida"

Ha sido reconocido con esta distinción por su aportación a la investigación biomédica y su influencia en el ámbito académico y científico

www.eldiariodehuesca.com

Great interview. He also requested that his title would reference the Castle of Lerés; as it is not only close the city he was born but also part of his family history:

His maternal family has been linked to this property since the 19th century, when the Otín family inherited the estate after becoming related to the former owners, the Garasa family. In fact, his father grew up in that area, and the family became known as "the lords of Lerés."

"This designation," he confirmed, "is associated with a place, and after consulting with my beloved cousin María Otín, I asked the King that this place would be Castillo de Lerés, which, as few outside of Huesca know, is where the Otines come from. So I am also very happy about this very symbolic event for me."

 

[PrincessofEurope]

King of Spain makes Rafael Nadal a marquess - and his son one day

The former Spanish number one's new title as the 1st Marquess of Llevant de Mallorca will eventually be passed down to his two-year-old son Rafael Jr.

www.dailymail.co.uk

How lovely for Rafa - one the greatest tennis players ever

 

[An Ard Ri]

The king of clay is now a Marquis! Congrats to Rafa, another well deserved honour after the incredibly moving ceremony 3 weeks ago at Roland Garros. His 14 titles there will always be one of the most impressive records in sports history.

I was surprised to see him being made a Marquis ,a Baron maybe but nice to see the king issuing new titles.

 

[meeralakshmi]

I was surprised to see him being made a Marquis ,a Baron maybe but nice to see the king issuing new titles.

Marquessates are apparently the most common peerage in Spain:

I wondered as well, but saw this explanation from a well-informed and reliable Spanish poster on another forum:

 

[An Ard Ri]

I wonder are these the first new NOBLE titles issued by King Felipe VI?

 

[meeralakshmi]

I wonder are these the first new NOBLE titles issued by King Felipe VI?

Yes they are.

 

[An Ard Ri]

I have a feeling that the creation of noble titles will be a very rare event under king Felipe VI.

 

[Toledo]

I'm catching up with the royal news and when I checked out Spain's royal section in our newspaper El Pais (The Country) I almost fell off my chair. King Felipe finally ennobled people! The ten years record of not using his royal duty to reward notable citizens with noble titles has ended:

Felipe VI appoints Luz Casal and Rafa Nadal, among other personalities as marquises
Excerpt:

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of his proclamation, the King has awarded the first noble titles of his reign to six Spanish personalities with "excellent careers" ​

...the King has granted noble titles to six Spanish personalities for their "excellent career"... Among others, the tennis player Rafa Nadal, the new Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca; and the singer Luz Casal, from now on Marchioness of Luz y Paz. These are the first noble titles granted by Felipe VI.... Jaime Alfonsín Alonso, 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, who will be Marquis of Alfonsín, with Grandeur of Spain, swimmer Teresa Fernández Perales, who will be Marchioness of Perales; the biochemist Carlos López Otín, who will be Marquis of Castillo de Lerés; and the photographer Cristina García Rodero, who will be Marchioness of the Valley of Alcudia.​

​

​

I'm curious about the title names decision, three are geographical or place location based:

1. Rafa Nadal, the new Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca which has six municipalities for Rafa to build a little marquise residence.
2. Carlos López Otín, Marquis of Castillo de Lerés - basically it's a castle door in ruins
3. Cristina García Rodero, Marchioness of the Valley of Alcudia. Alcudia's coat of arms has the double-headed imperial eagle of the Hapsburg dynasty, it would be cool if incorporated to Cristina's coat of arms.

And three are using parts of their name, middle name or surname to create the titles:

1. Luz Casal, Marchioness of Luz y Paz
2. Jaime Alfonsín Alonso, Marquis of Alfonsín, with Grandeur of Spain
3. Teresa Fernández Perales, Marchioness of Perales

Now I hope someone finds an article or page to check out the coat of arms assigned by king Felipe to each title. I want to see if Nadal's has an image of a warrior striking a pose holding a tennis racket, Cristina's coat of arms with a camera and Teresa's with a water or swimming pool motif!

 

[Tatiana Maria]

See also the discussion above.

King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Family, General News, Part 3

:previous: hola has given up the paywall, pictures now to see https://www.hola.com/horizon/portrait/435c0b1a8876-studio24298836dv.jpg?im=Resize=(1280),type=downsize https://www.hola.com/horizon/original_aspect_ratio/2f9b355d7937-284madphoto-press-mm-28.jpg?im=Resize=(1280),type=downsize...

www.theroyalforums.com

Coats of arms are no longer routinely granted to the newly ennobled, but perhaps the people who invent and upload fake coats of arms to royals' Wikipedia pages will do the same for the new nobles.

 

[Luc122]

A joyous occasion for many I am sure and quite well earned for public service to the nation and effectively the crown. This adds to the ranks of a little under 3,000 titled Spanish nobles quite a few more than their British Counterparts

 

[Toledo]

See also the discussion above.

King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Family, General News, Part 3

:previous: hola has given up the paywall, pictures now to see https://www.hola.com/horizon/portrait/435c0b1a8876-studio24298836dv.jpg?im=Resize=(1280),type=downsize https://www.hola.com/horizon/original_aspect_ratio/2f9b355d7937-284madphoto-press-mm-28.jpg?im=Resize=(1280),type=downsize...

www.theroyalforums.com

Coats of arms are no longer routinely granted to the newly ennobled, but perhaps the people who invent and upload fake coats of arms to royals' Wikipedia pages will do the same for the new nobles.

I'm still looking for one website I recall is part of the government that relates to titles in Spain, from restorations to new creations.

Speaking of Wiki, Rafa's Marquis title now has a page but with the generic crown I've seen since I was a kid and we had the illustrated Spanish dictionary, Larousse encyclopedia/dictionary at home:

Marquesado del Llevant de Mallorca - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

es.wikipedia.org

one minute after posting the above I found the page:
BOE-A-2025-12927 Real Decreto 517/2025, de 24 de junio, por el que se concede el título de Marqués del Llevant de Mallorca a don Rafael Nadal Parera.

Message from the king:

The spirit of improvement, tenacity, discipline, sportsmanship and authentic simplicity, on and off the court, have taken Mr. Rafael Nadal Parera to the top of world tennis and are an example of the highest sporting values, so, wanting to show him my Royal appreciation,​

​

I have come to grant you the title of Marquis of Llevant of Mallorca, for yourself and your successors, in accordance with Spanish noble legislation.​

Done in Madrid, on 24 June 2025.​

FELIPE R. (Felipe Rey or Felipe, the King) ​

​

I hope Rafael Nadal will be presented at his next match as The Most Illustrious The Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca!

Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca - Wikiwand

Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca is a hereditary title in the Spanish nobility granted in 2025 by King Felipe VI to former world No. 1 tennis player and 22-time m...

www.wikiwand.com