King Felipe VI of Spain gave a very special gift to his second daughter for his 18th birthday. Infanta Sofia received the Grand-Croix insignia of the Order of Isabelle the Catholic on the occasion of her majority.
Read also: Frederik and Mary receive the order of Isabelle La Catholique, Felipe and Letizia receive the order of the elephant
The infant Sofia becomes a Grand-Croix lady of the order of Isabelle the Catholic for her majority
The gift is not completely a surprise and we had confirmation this May 1, by discovering in the official bulletin of the State the publication of a royal decree signed the day before by King Felipe VI. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares Bueno granted a good distinction to the infant Sofia, on the occasion of his 18th birthday. The granting of distinctions is a prerogative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and like all the decrees, these are validated by the signing of the sovereign.
Read also: The emir of Qatar receives the collar of the order of Isabelle the Catholic
The Infanta Sofia celebrated its 18th birthday on April 29, 2025. On April 30, on the first day of his adult life, the distinction of Grand-Cross of the Order of Isabelle The Catholic was granted to him. Her older sister, Princess Leonor, had received the necklace of the order of Charles III to her majority. Leonor had already received the most invaluable of the awards, the Golden Fleece necklace in 2015. The Infante Sofia, 2nd in the order of succession to the throne had never received any distinction until now.
- Read also: King Felipe VI awards the second collar of the Golden Fleece of his reign to his mother
The Order of Isabelle The Catholic was created in 1815 by King Ferdinand VII of Spain to reward those who had defended the interests of Spain in America. Today, Isabelle La Catholique’s medal is awarded ” To reward extraordinary behavior of civil character, carried out by people who acted in favor of the Spanish nation or contributed in a significant way to promote the relations of friendship and cooperation between the Spanish nation and the rest of the international community “can we read in the regulations of the order.
The order of Isabelle the Catholic is divided into 9 classes. The 1st class is handed over with necklace, Ladies Grand-Croix as Sofia belong to 2nd class. The ribbon of the order is yellow and white. Each grade and men and women wear distinctive badges. The ribbon is white and yellow. The star badge represents a red enameled cross whose points are decorated with golden balls. Golden rays appear in the arms of the cross. On the cross is placed a bay crown with the currencies “To The Acrisolated Loyalty “(To proven loyalty) and” By Isabel la Católica (By Isabelle the Catholic). The central medallion takes up two columns (a royal column and an imperial column) with the “ultra” motto and a sun rising on the ocean.
Although the infant Sofia has officially received this distinction, it is likely that the insignia will be handed over to him by his father very soon and in private. For the moment, the Infanta Sofia ends her exams in his boarding school in Wales. She will be able to carry her badges from the next public appearance which allows the wearing of distinctions under one of its forms.
Nicolas Fontaine
Editor
Nicolas Fontaine was designer-editor and author for many Belgian and French brands and media. A specialist in the news of royal families, Nicolas founded the Royal Stories site of which he is the editor. [email protected]
