Queen Sofia made royal history when she became the first queen consort to be given one of Spain's highest honours. She was given the Toison d'Or by her son, King Felipe VI, as the country marked half a century of modern monarchy. And no one could argue that Sofia is a very worthy recipient indeed.
The woman who was queen consort of Spain from 1975 until 2014 was given a standing ovation as she entered the Throne Room at the Royal Palace in Madrid for a ceremony that would honour several big names from Spain's past. However, all eyes were on Queen Sofia who was recognised for her outstanding contribution to and service of Spain over the past 50 years. The Toison d'Or, or Golden Fleece, is one of Spain's highest honours and Sofia was the first queen consort to get it. Her son, Felipe VI, looked as if he might burst with pride as he pinned the little red ribbon on to his mother's shoulder. Sofia, meanwhile, looked as graceful as ever. Her demeanour, even in the darkest days of Spain's new monarchy, has never been anything other than commendable.
Watching were two of her eight grandchildren. Princess Leonor, 20, who is heir to the throne was joined by her sister, 18 year old Infanta Sofia, for the ceremony. They sat on either side of their mother, Queen Letizia, who somehow ended up blocked out of one of the official photos of the ceremony released by Spain's royals afterwards. There had been some debate beforehand about who wasn't there. Neither of Queen Sofia's daughters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina, were present to see their mother receive this high honour. Sofia's other six grandchildren weren't on the guest list either. And, perhaps most controversially, neither was her husband, King Juan Carlos. He has, of course, fallen spectacularly from grace in recent years. However, as Spain marked 50 years since the death of Franco and half a century since the restoration of the country's monarchy under Juan Carlos, his omission did appear rather glaring.
The wider family will join Sofia for a lunch marking the restoration which is held the day after the presentation of the Toison d'Or. And if, at times, it appeared that the ever beleaguered Spanish royals were taking yet another chance to hide their shadows behind Sofia's light then there is no doubt that this queen consort would have been all for that. She has spent many years being the ever smiling face of an institution that fought to re-establish itself at a time of political turmoil when a country was moving from dictatorship to democracy. Another smile to keep the ship sailing is what Sofia does best. And she did it to perfection again. There is no doubt that she has merited every honour that has come her way and set a template for modern consorts that others will follow for years to come.
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