| Infanta Margarita | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duchess of Soria andHernani | |||||
 Margarita with her husband, Carlos, in 2010 | |||||
| Born | (1939-03-06)6 March 1939 (age 86) Rome,Kingdom of Italy | ||||
| Spouse | |||||
| Issue | Alfonso Zurita y Borbón María Zurita y Borbón | ||||
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| House | Bourbon-Anjou | ||||
| Father | Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona | ||||
| Mother | Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies | ||||
| Spanish royal family |
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Extended royal family Children of the lateDuchess of Badajoz:
The Duchess of Soria and Hernani
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Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria, 2nd Duchess of Hernani (Margarita María de la Victoria Esperanza Jacoba Felicidad Perpetua de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Borbón; born 6 March 1939), is the younger sister of KingJuan Carlos I and aunt of the reigning KingFelipe VI of Spain.
Infanta Margarita was born at Hotel Firenze Anglo American inRome as the younger daughter ofInfante Juan, Count of Barcelona, andPrincess Mercedes of the Two Sicilies. Margarita has been blind since birth.[1]
She married the physician and aristocratCarlos Zurita y Delgado on 12 October 1972 inEstoril at St. Anthony's Church.[2] They have two children:
In 1989, alongside her husband, they created The Duke and Duchess of Soria Cultural Foundation (Spanish:Fundación Cultural Duques de Soria), anonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion ofSpanish culture,Hispanic studies, science and knowledge, as well as the preservation ofcultural heritage.[4]
She's also Honorary President of Madrid's delegation ofUNICEF, of the Spanish Heart Foundation, of theONCE Foundation and of the Spanish Federation of Hemophilia.[5]
Infanta Margarita renounced her right of succession to theSpanish throne upon marriage because it was not a dynastic wedding.[6][7]
On 6 January 1979, the Infanta's distant cousin Manfredo de Borbón, 1stDuke of Hernani, died and willed his ducal title to be inherited by Margarita. The King granted this request in 1977 and, on 27 May 1981, she became 2nd Duchess of Hernani, accompanied by the dignity ofGrandee. The peerage title refers to the townHernani, Spain. The month after, on 23 June 1981, King Juan Carlos created her Duchess of Soria (referring to the citySoria, Spain); this title is a title of the Royal House and cannot be inherited by her children.
Spain: Knight Grand Cross of theRoyal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III[10]Spain: 1,192nd Dame Grand Cross of theRoyal Order of Noble Ladies of Queen Maria LuisaSpain: Knight Grand Cross of theCivil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise[11]
Greek Royal Family: Dame Grand Cross of theRoyal Family Order of Saints Olga and Sophia
Italy
Two Sicilian Royal Family: Knight Grand Cross of Justice of theTwo Sicilian Royal Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George[12]
Portugal: Grand Cross of theOrder of Infante Henry[13]Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria Born: 6 March 1939 | ||
| Spanish nobility | ||
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| Preceded by | Duchess of Hernani 1981–present | Incumbent Heir: Alfonso Zurita y de Borbón |