Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria

Infanta Margarita was born at the Hotel Firenze Anglo American in Rome on 6 March 1939, during the exile of the Spanish royal family following the Spanish Civil War. She was the third child and youngest daughter of Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona, and Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, following her siblings Infanta Pilar and Infante Juan Carlos, the future King of Spain. Her family had left Spain after the proclamation of the Second Republic in 1931, and she spent her earliest years abroad, first in Italy and later in Portugal. She was baptised shortly after her birth in the Spanish church of Santa María de Montserrat in Rome. ^[1]

Margarita was born blind, a condition diagnosed in infancy after her family noticed the absence of normal visual responses. Her mother consulted numerous specialists during her early childhood in an unsuccessful attempt to find a cure, even undertaking a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Fátima in 1946 in the hope of a miraculous recovery. Her blindness remained permanent and would shape much of her upbringing and public image.^[2]

Despite this, she was raised with an emphasis on independence and adaptability. Margarita developed a confident and fearless character from an early age, taking part in activities such as swimming and outdoor pursuits alongside her siblings. She also pursued her education with determination, receiving instruction suited to her condition and developing strong abilities in languages and music.^[3] The family eventually settled in Estoril, Portugal, where Margarita spent most of her childhood and adolescence within a close-knit royal household in exile. During these years she maintained a particularly close relationship with her brother Juan Carlos. ^[1]

By the 1960s, as her brother’s political role in Spain increased under the Franco regime, Margarita began to appear more frequently in social and family contexts connected to the Spanish royal family in exile. Contemporary press descriptions emphasised her outgoing personality and resilience, often noting how she had adapted to her blindness with notable independence. She was regarded as a well-educated and socially active member of the Spanish royal family, having successfully navigated the challenges of her disability while maintaining a visible role within the exiled monarchy.^[4]

Margarita met the orthopedic surgeon Carlos Zurita y Delgado in the late 1960s through mutual friends within Madrid’s social circles. Their relationship developed discreetly, and despite her position within the Spanish royal family, which traditionally adhered strictly to equal marriages, recognizing only unions with other reigning or mediatised dynasties as valid equals, the match was widely regarded as a modern and personal choice, as Zurita did not belong to such a house, but was a respected member of the professional upper class. Their engagement was formally announced in 1972 by the Spanish royal household. ^[5]

The couple were married on 12 October 1972 at the Palace of Zarzuela in Madrid in a Roman Catholic ceremony.^[6] The wedding was attended by numerous members of European royalty, including representatives from the Spanish, Greek, Italian, Bulgarian and Bourbon-Two Sicilies royal families, reflecting the dynastic connections of the House of Bourbon. It was one of the last major royal family events prior to the restoration of the Spanish monarchy in 1975 and attracted significant media attention both within Spain and internationally, symbolising a period of transition for the royal family during the final years of the Franco regime. ^[5]

Following their marriage, Margarita and Carlos Zurita established their family life in Madrid, maintaining close ties with the Spanish royal household while largely avoiding overt political roles. Despite her blindness, Margarita continued to take on public engagements and charitable work, particularly in support of organisations for people with visual impairments, often accompanied by her husband. ^[7]

The couple have two children. Their first child, Don Alfonso Juan Carlos Zurita y de Borbón, GE, was born on 9 August 1973 in Madrid. Their second child, Doña María Sofía Emilia Carmen Zurita y de Borbón, GE, was born on 16 September 1975. Her godmother is Queen Sofía of Spain, sister in law to Margarita. ^[8]

Although she had renounced her succession rights upon her marriage in 1972, she remained a prominent member of the royal family and continued to undertake public responsibilities.^[9]

On 23 June 1981, her brother, King Juan Carlos I, granted her the use of the title Duchess of Soria for life by royal decree.^[10] The title, linked to the historic Castilian city of Soria, was created as a personal distinction within the Royal House and is not hereditary. It was conferred shortly after she had succeeded to the title of Duchess of Hernani, following the death of a distant Bourbon relative in 1979, consolidating her position within the Spanish nobility.^[11]

As Duchess of Soria, Margarita became closely associated with cultural and academic initiatives connected to the city and the wider Spanish-speaking world. In 1989, she and her husband founded the Fundación Duques de Soria, an institution dedicated to promoting Hispanic culture, language, and scientific collaboration.^[12] Through this role, she has supported conferences, scholarships, and international exchanges, contributing to the promotion of Spain’s cultural heritage.

In addition to her work in Soria, Margarita has maintained an active presence in charitable and social organisations. She has served as honorary president of several institutions, including the Spanish Heart Foundation and organisations supporting people with disabilities, reflecting a long-standing commitment to social causes.^[13] Her public role as Duchess of Soria has therefore combined ceremonial duties with sustained involvement in cultural and philanthropic initiatives.

In her later years, Infanta Margarita has remained a visible member of the extended Spanish royal family, regularly attending significant family and state occasions. She maintained a particularly close relationship with her elder sister, Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz, and was present at family gatherings and events throughout her life. Following Pilar’s death in January 2020, Margarita attended her funeral in Madrid, where members of the royal family gathered to pay their respects.^[14]

She has also maintained close ties with her brother, King Juan Carlos I, particularly following his relocation outside Spain in 2020. Margarita has been reported to have visited him on several occasions and to remain in regular contact as part of the close-knit Borbón family.^[15]

Following the death of her elder sister, Infanta Pilar, Margarita became the oldest living Infanta of Spain and she is one the longest-lived members of the Spanish royal family.

Infanta Margarita renounced her right of succession to the Spanish throne upon marriage because it was not a dynastic wedding.^[16][17]

On 6 January 1979, the Infanta's distant cousin Manfredo de Borbón, 1st Duke 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 of Grandee. The peerage title refers to the town Hernani, Spain. The month after, on 23 June 1981, King Juan Carlos created her Duchess of Soria (referring to the city Soria, Spain); this title is a title of the Royal House and cannot be inherited by her children.