Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria


Infanta Margarita of Spain, Duchess of Soria, 2nd Duchess of Hernani, Grandee of Spain, is the younger sister of King Juan Carlos and aunt of the reigning King Felipe VI of Spain.

Early life

Infanta Margarita was born at American Hospital in Rome as the younger daughter of Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona, and Princess Mercedes of the Two Sicilies. Margarita has been blind since birth.

Marriage

She married the physician Carlos Zurita y Delgado on 12 October 1972 in Estoril at St. Anthony's Church. They have two children:
In 1989, alongside her husband, they created the Fundación Cultural Duques de Soria. She's also Honorary President of Madrid's delegation of UNICEF and of the Spanish Heart Foundation.

Succession and Grandeeship

Infanta Margarita renounced her right of succession to the Spanish throne upon marriage.
On 6 January 1979, the Infanta's cousin Manfredo de Borbón, 1st Duke of Hernani, died and willed his ducal title to be inherited by Margarita. The King granted this request, and on 27 May 1981, she became 2nd Duchess of Hernani with accompanying dignity Grandee of Spain. The peerage title refers to the town Hernani, Spain. The month after, on 23 June 1981, she was granted a higher dukedom for life by the king and also became Duchess of Soria.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles

The Infanta's style and title in full: ''Her Royal Highness Doña Margarita María de la Victoria Esperanza Jacoba Felicidad Perpetua de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias de Zurita, Infanta of Spain, Duchess of Soria, Grande de España, Duchess of Hernani, Grande de España.

Honours

National honours