Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo: Difference between revisions

Names
	Elena María Isabel Dominica de Silos de Borbón y de Grecia

Infanta Elena
Infanta Elena
Duchess of Lugo
	Elena in 2011
Born	20 December 1963 (age 61); Our Lady of Loreto Hospital, Madrid, Spain
Spouse	Jaime de Marichalar, Lord of Tejada (m. 1995; div. 2010)
Issue	Felipe de Marichalar y Borbón; Victoria de Marichalar y Borbón
Names
Names
	Elena María Isabel Dominica de Silos de Borbón y de Grecia
House	Bourbon-Anjou
Father	Juan Carlos I of Spain
Mother	Sophia of Greece and Denmark
Signature

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Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo (Elena María Isabel Dominica de Silos de Borbón y de Grecia; born 20 December 1963), is the first child and eldest daughter of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía. As the eldest sister of King Felipe VI, Elena is the third in the line of succession to the Spanish throne. She has a younger sister, Infanta Cristina.^[1]

On 3 March 1995, on the occasion of her marriage to Jaime de Marichalar y Sáenz de Tejada, Lord of Tejada, she was created Duchess of Lugo by her father, King Juan Carlos. The title, as part of the titles belonging to the Spanish crown, was granted to her for life and her descendants will not be able to inherit it.

Since the ascension of her younger brother to the Spanish throne, Elena is not part of the royal family. However, just as she did during her father's reign, she currently represents the Crown when required by the monarch. She has also represented her family abroad on several occasions, having travelled to Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Argentina, Japan, Peru, and the Philippines.

Early life and family

Infanta Elena was born on 20 December 1963 at Our Lady of Loreto Hospital, now known as ORPEA Madrid Loreto, in Madrid. She is the first member to be born in hospital from King Juan Carlos I's family and she is eldest child of King Juan Carlos I, the former Spanish monarch, and his wife, Queen Sofía (born Princess of Greece and Denmark). She has one sister and one brother.^[2]

Elena studied at Santa María del Camino School in Madrid^[3] and got a diploma as teacher of secondary school in 1986, with a specialty in English studies.^[4] She later moved to Paris in order to study French literature; it was during this time that she met her future husband.^[5] After working as an English teacher at her childhood school, she graduated in Education Sciences by the Comillas Pontifical University in 1993.^[4]

Equestrianism

Since she was a child, Elena showed a special preference for horse riding, a passion that she inherited from her grandmother, Princess María de las Mercedes, Countess of Barcelona.^[6] It was during her adolescence that she began to make a name for herself in the world of show jumping.^[7] She debuted in an official competition in 1982 at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.^[8] After this, in the late 1980s King Juan Carlos ordered the construction of stables and a riding arena at the Royal Palace of Zarzuela so that his daughter could practice her hobby in the palace.^[8] As of 2023, although she no longer resides in Zarzuela nor is she part of the royal family, she continues to use these facilities that she upholds financially.^[7]^[9]

Elena was described by fellow equestrian Luis Jaime Carvajal y Salas, 5th Duke of Aveyro, as a "very good [rider]" but he pointed that her problem was that horse riding "requires time and she doesn't have it" as a member of the royal family.^[6]

Among the most notable horses of the Infanta are Qant (her favorite horse since 2011)^[8] and Jordano EB (Qant successor), a chestnut-bred horse that she bred herself.^[7] As of 2016, Elena owned, at least, eight different horses.^[8]

Elena has had several equestrian teachers; since she left the royal family, she has not had an official one. The most relevant are Felipe de Zuleta y Alejandro from 2006 to 2015,^[10] an official of the Royal Guard and brother of the Duke of Abrantes, private secretary of Queen Letizia from 2014 to 2024,^[11] and Luis Astolfi Pérez de Guzmán, a former boyfriend and currently a close friend to the infanta. Luis and Elena relinked their friendship in 2013 after many years without contact.^[12]

She shares this hobby with her daughter, Victoria, Grandee of Spain,^[8] as well as watching bullfighting.^[13]

Marriage and children

Elena met Jaime de Marichalar y Sáenz de Tejada, Lord of Tejada, son of the Amalio de Marichalar y Bruguera, 8th Count of Ripalda, for the first time in 1987 in Paris.^[14] Elena was studying French literature at the French capital while Jaime was working for the Swiss bank Credit Suisse.^[14] Soon after that meeting, they started a relationship but it was not until 1993 that the press got the first photographs of the couple and during 1994, the wedding rumors increased. On 23 November 1994, the Royal Household made official their engagement.^[15]

The formal marriage proposal was made on 26 November 1994 at the Royal Palace of Zarzuela.^[16] The engagement ring was a diamond ring part of a tiara belonging to the groom's mother, María de la Concepción Sáenz de Tejada y Fernández de Bobadilla, Lady of Tejada.^[16] In addition to the immediate royal family, Princess María de las Mercedes, Countess of Barcelona (the bride's grandmother), Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz (the bride's aunt) and the Duchess and Duke of Soria (the bride's aunt and uncle) were also present.^[16]

Their wedding took place on 18 March 1995, in the Seville Cathedral. This was the first royal wedding in Spain since the wedding of King Alfonso XIII and Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg in 1906.^[17] Around 1,500 guests, including representatives of 39 royal houses, attended the event.^[18] 150,000 citizens filled the streets around the Cathedral.^[19] Also, to celebrate the occasion, King Juan Carlos created Infanta Elena as Duchess of Lugo.^[20]

The couple has two children: Felipe de Marichalar y Borbón (born 17 July 1998)^[21] and Victoria de Marichalar y Borbón (born 9 September 2000) were born at Ruber International Hospital in Madrid.^[22] On 26 June 2003, a few days after the king announced the third pregnancy of his daughter, Elena suffered a miscarriage.^[23] As children of an Infanta of Spain, Elena's children are Grandees of Spain.

On 13 November 2007, it was announced that Elena had separated from her husband.^[24] In November 2009, the Spanish media reported that she and her husband would divorce, although a rumour to that effect had been circulating for a year before the announcement was made.^[25]^[26] Their divorce papers were signed on 25 November 2009.^[27] The Duchess and Duke consort of Lugo were divorced in December 2009.^[28] On 21 January 2010, the divorce was registered at the Civil Registry of the Spanish Royal Family and it was officially announced on 9 February 2010; Jaime de Marichalar was no longer permitted to use the ducal title and he was no longer considered to be an official member of the Spanish Royal Family.^[29]

Activities and personal work

Elena started to attend official events at a very young age. One of the first official events she attended was the proclamation of her father in November 1975.^[30] Since finishing her most basic education in 1983, Elena, along with her sister Cristina, supported their parents representing the Crown at official events such as the National Day, the wedding of Princess Astrid of Belgium,^[31] the re-burial of Queen Victoria Eugenia at El Escorial,^[32] the state visit of Mexican president Miguel de la Madrid to Spain,^[31] and the 1984 Prince of Asturias Awards ceremony,^[33] among others.

Since the ascension of her brother in June 2014 and the consequent departure from the royal family, Elena has reduced her public appearances. Exceptionally, that year she represented the Crown in some events, such as the funeral of Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba in November 2014^[34] and the delivery of the National Sports Awards in December 2014.^[35] Since then, Elena has limited her institutional activity to annually presiding over the awards ceremony for the Patrimonio Nacional's Children's and Youth Painting Contest.^[36]^[37]^[38]^[39]

In addition to her obligations as an infanta, Elena has a personal job that allows her to compensate for the lack of public salary by not being a member of the royal family. Elena has worked at the Mapfre Foundation since 2008 and currently serves as director of social and cultural projects.^[40] From this position, Infanta Elena has helped the foundation to promote projects and give visibility to various cooperation programs in Latin America through several international tours.^[41] Most of the public appearances of the infanta are related to the social activities of this foundation.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles

20 December 1963 – 3 March 1995: Her Royal Highness Infanta Doña Elena^[42]
3 March 1995 – present: Her Royal Highness Infanta Doña Elena, Duchess of Lugo

Honours

National honours

Spain:
- Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III
- Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
- Dame of the Royal Cavalry Armory of Seville^[43]
- Dame of the Royal Cavalry Armory of Zaragoza^[44]

Foreign honours

Austria: Grand Star of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria^[45]^[46]
Belgium: Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold^[47]
Chile: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit^[48]
Greece: Grand Cross of the Order of Honour^[49]
Guatemala: Grand Cross of the Order of the Quetzal^[50]
Iceland: Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon^[51]
Italy: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic^[52]
Japan: Grand Cordon (Paulownia) of the Order of the Precious Crown^[53]
Jordan: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Star of Jordan
Luxembourg: Grand Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau
Kingdom of Nepal: Member 1st Class of the Order of the Three Divine Powers
Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau^[54]
Norway: Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Olav^[55]
Peru: Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru^[56]
Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Christ
Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry
Sweden: Recipient of the 50th Birthday Badge Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf

Ancestry

Ancestors of Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo

8. Alfonso XIII of Spain

4. Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona

9. Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg

2. Juan Carlos I of Spain

10. Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies

5. Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies

11. Princess Louise of Orléans

1. Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo

12. Constantine I of Greece

6. Paul I of Greece

13. Princess Sophia of Prussia

3. Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark

14. Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick

7. Princess Frederica of Hanover

15. Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia

References

^ "King Felipe of Spain's 21-year-old niece documents her lavish life on social media". HOLA. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
^ "ABC (Madrid) - 21/12/1963, p. 65 - ABC.es Hemeroteca". hemeroteca.abc.es. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
^ "La Infanta Elena visita el colegio que lleva su nombre". Europa Press. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b Taulés, Silvia (18 June 2020). "Polémica en las redes: no, el contribuyente no paga los bolsos de Victoria Federica". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ "Spain's King Juan Carlos' eldest daughter Infanta Elena to divorce". Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
^ ^a ^b Barrientos, Paloma (3 May 2023). "La razón que ha dado la infanta Elena para no participar en el concurso hípico Comunidad de Madrid". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c Moro, María Luisa G. (20 December 2022). "La infanta Elena cumple 59 años: la intrahistoria de su faceta como amazona". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Todo lo que ha aclarado el accidente hípico de la Infanta Elena". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 3 September 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ Moro, María Luisa G. (20 December 2023). "La infanta Elena, una amazona muy querida: hablamos con Luis Astolfi y otros amigos de la hípica". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 May 2024.
^ Bolonio, Marta (21 May 2015). "Las dos versiones que explicarían la ruptura profesional de doña Elena y Felipe Zuleta". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ Higuera, Raoul (27 June 2014). "José Manuel Zuleta, la nueva mano derecha de la Reina doña Letizia". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ "Luis Astolfi y la infanta Elena: de su secreta historia de amor a su apoyo incondicional después de 30 años y tras las dificultades". Mujer Hoy (in Spanish). 10 July 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ Hernández, Carla (11 May 2022). "Victoria Federica y su madre, la infanta Elena: tarde de toros en Las Ventas". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b "El economista que entró en Zarzuela | elmundo.es". www.elmundo.es. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Galaz, Mábel (24 November 1994). "La infanta Elena se casa con Jaime de Marichalar". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c Galaz, Mábel (27 November 1994). ""Jaime no paró hasta convencerme"". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ "Veinte años del 'sí quiero' de la infanta Elena y Jaime de Marichalar". Diario Sur (in European Spanish). 18 March 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ "Así fue la boda de la Infanta Elena y Jaime de Marichalar que revolucionó Sevilla: el velo de Sofía, Juan Carlos de padrino y 39 casas reales". Mujer Hoy (in Spanish). 18 March 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Pérez, Patricia Gómez (19 March 1995). "150.000 sevillanos arroparon con sus palmas a los recién casados en su paseo por Sevilla". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Royal Household. "Royal Decree 323/1995, of March 3, which grants, for life, the authorization to use the title of Duchess of Lugo to Her Royal Highness the Infanta Doña Elena" (in Spanish). p. 7477. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ "Froilán descoloca a sus propios familiares y amigos con un giro inesperado". 18 July 2018. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
^ "Nace la primera nieta de los Reyes, que se llamará Victoria Federica". El País. 10 September 2000. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
^ "La infanta Elena sufre un aborto". El País (in Spanish). 26 June 2003. ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ "Zarzuela anuncia el cese temporal de la convivencia matrimonial de los Duques de Lugo". ABC. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
^ "La Infanta Elena y Jaime de Marichalar se divorcian de mutuo acuerdo" [Infanta Elena and Jaime de Marichalar agreed to divorce]. El Mundo. 14 November 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
^ "¿Un divorcio de Estado?". El País. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
^ "El Periódico - Actualidad y noticias de última hora". Elperiodico.com. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
^ Villar, Cote. Guardián de acero para el divorcio real. La otra crónica, no. 55 (6 February 2010). El Mundo
^ "La Infanta Elena ya está divorciada de Marichalar". El Mundo. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
^ "Así fue la proclamación de Juan Carlos I". Lecturas (in Spanish). 17 June 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b "El camino marcado por las infantas Elena y Cristina que podría seguir Sofía tras la marcha de Leonor". Vanity Fair (in European Spanish). 13 February 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ Orgambides, Fernando (26 April 1985). "Los restos mortales de la reina Victoria Eugenia, depositados en el monasterio de El Escorial". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ Somovilla, Miguel (16 October 1984). "El rey Juan Carlos entregará hoy los premios que llevan el nombre de su hijo". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ "Duquesa de Alba: La infanta Elena preside el último adiós a la Duquesa de Alba en representación del Rey". HOLA (in Spanish). 21 November 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ "Los Premios Nacionales del Deporte reúnen a casi toda la Familia Real". Diez Minutos (in European Spanish). 4 December 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ Aragón, Heraldo de (8 June 2017). "Un dibujo de una niña de Teruel, premiado en el Palacio Real de El Pardo". heraldo.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ "La Infanta Elena entrega los premios del XXVII Concurso de Patrimonio Nacional de Pintura Infantil y Juvenil". Europa Press. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ "La infanta Elena retoma su agenda oficial más sonriente que nunca y con su mejor 'look' del año". El Español (in Spanish). 16 June 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ "La infanta Elena retoma su actividad apoyando la pintura para los más jóvenes". Europa Press. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ Confidencial, El (30 July 2008). "La Infanta Elena se incorporará a Fundación Mapfre a partir del 15 septiembre". elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ Villar, Cote (5 March 2021). "El conflicto reputacional de las infantas Elena y Cristina más allá de la Corona". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ Real Decreto 323/1995, de 3 de marzo, por el que se concede, con carácter vitalicio, la facultad de usar el título de Duquesa de Lugo a Su Alteza Real la Infanta Doña Elena (BOE núm. 54 de 4 de marzo 1995)
^ "La infanta Elena regresa a la ciudad donde se casó junto a su padre, el Rey" [Princess Elena returns to the city where she married with her father, the King] (in Spanish). 23 May 2008. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
^ "La infanta Elena recibe el Lazo de Dama de la Real Maestranza en Zaragoza" [The Infanta Elena receives the Collar of Lady of the Royal Cavalry of Zaragoza]. El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). 9 May 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
^ "Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour" (PDF) (in German). 23 April 2012. p. 1124.
^ "El Rey recibe al presidente de Austria" [The King receives the President of Austria]. El País (in Spanish). 3 June 1997. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
^ ABC (Madrid) (in Spanish), Hemeroteca, 20 September 1994, p. 23
^ "Chile y España dejan atrás tensiones" [Chile and Spain leave tensions behind] (in Spanish). BBC Mundo. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
^ "Don Juan Carlos recuerda que 'no hay espacio para los terroristas en nuestras sociedades libres'" [Don Juan Carlos reminds us that 'there is no room for terrorists in our free societies']. El Mundo (in Spanish). 26 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
^ Úbeda-Portugués, José Escribano (2005). La dimensión europea de la política exterior española hacia América latina: política internacional de los primeros gobiernos socialistas. Editorial Visión Libros. ISBN 9788498212440.
^ Icelandese Presidency Website^{[permanent dead link‍]}, Borbón, Elena de ; prinsessa ; Spánn ; 16 September 1985 ; Stórkross (= Elena of Bourbon, Princess, Spain, 16 September 1985, Grand Cross)
^ Italian Presidency, ELENA S.A.R. l'Infanta di Spagna – Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana
^ ABC (Madrid), Hemeroteca, 8 October 1994, p. 29
^ ABC (Madrid), Hemeroteca, 9 October 1985, p. 8
^ ABC (Madrid), ABC Hemeroteca, 25 April 1995, p. 24
^ "La Familia Real recibe, de gala, al Presidente de Perú en el Palacio Real de Madrid". 6 July 2004. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

External links

Her Royal Highness the Infanta Elena (official profile) (in Spanish)
Video of her wedding on YouTube

Lines of succession
Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo House of Bourbon Cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty Born: 20 December 1963
Preceded by Infanta Sofía	Line of succession to the Spanish throne 3rd in line	Succeeded by Felipe de Marichalar

[1] "King Felipe of Spain's 21-year-old niece documents her lavish life on social media". HOLA. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.

[2] "ABC (Madrid) - 21/12/1963, p. 65 - ABC.es Hemeroteca". hemeroteca.abc.es. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.

[3] "La Infanta Elena visita el colegio que lleva su nombre". Europa Press. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[:2-4] Taulés, Silvia (18 June 2020). "Polémica en las redes: no, el contribuyente no paga los bolsos de Victoria Federica". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[5] "Spain's King Juan Carlos' eldest daughter Infanta Elena to divorce". Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2019.

[Barrientos-6] Barrientos, Paloma (3 May 2023). "La razón que ha dado la infanta Elena para no participar en el concurso hípico Comunidad de Madrid". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[:0-7] Moro, María Luisa G. (20 December 2022). "La infanta Elena cumple 59 años: la intrahistoria de su faceta como amazona". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[:1-8] "Todo lo que ha aclarado el accidente hípico de la Infanta Elena". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 3 September 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[9] Moro, María Luisa G. (20 December 2023). "La infanta Elena, una amazona muy querida: hablamos con Luis Astolfi y otros amigos de la hípica". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 May 2024.

[10] Bolonio, Marta (21 May 2015). "Las dos versiones que explicarían la ruptura profesional de doña Elena y Felipe Zuleta". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[11] Higuera, Raoul (27 June 2014). "José Manuel Zuleta, la nueva mano derecha de la Reina doña Letizia". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[12] "Luis Astolfi y la infanta Elena: de su secreta historia de amor a su apoyo incondicional después de 30 años y tras las dificultades". Mujer Hoy (in Spanish). 10 July 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[13] Hernández, Carla (11 May 2022). "Victoria Federica y su madre, la infanta Elena: tarde de toros en Las Ventas". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[:4-14] "El economista que entró en Zarzuela | elmundo.es". www.elmundo.es. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[15] Galaz, Mábel (24 November 1994). "La infanta Elena se casa con Jaime de Marichalar". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[:5-16] Galaz, Mábel (27 November 1994). ""Jaime no paró hasta convencerme"". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[17] "Veinte años del 'sí quiero' de la infanta Elena y Jaime de Marichalar". Diario Sur (in European Spanish). 18 March 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[18] "Así fue la boda de la Infanta Elena y Jaime de Marichalar que revolucionó Sevilla: el velo de Sofía, Juan Carlos de padrino y 39 casas reales". Mujer Hoy (in Spanish). 18 March 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[19] Pérez, Patricia Gómez (19 March 1995). "150.000 sevillanos arroparon con sus palmas a los recién casados en su paseo por Sevilla". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[20] Royal Household. "Royal Decree 323/1995, of March 3, which grants, for life, the authorization to use the title of Duchess of Lugo to Her Royal Highness the Infanta Doña Elena" (in Spanish). p. 7477. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[21] "Froilán descoloca a sus propios familiares y amigos con un giro inesperado". 18 July 2018. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2018.

[22] "Nace la primera nieta de los Reyes, que se llamará Victoria Federica". El País. 10 September 2000. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

[23] "La infanta Elena sufre un aborto". El País (in Spanish). 26 June 2003. ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[24] "Zarzuela anuncia el cese temporal de la convivencia matrimonial de los Duques de Lugo". ABC. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

[25] "La Infanta Elena y Jaime de Marichalar se divorcian de mutuo acuerdo" [Infanta Elena and Jaime de Marichalar agreed to divorce]. El Mundo. 14 November 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

[26] "¿Un divorcio de Estado?". El País. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

[27] "El Periódico - Actualidad y noticias de última hora". Elperiodico.com. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

[28] Villar, Cote. Guardián de acero para el divorcio real. La otra crónica, no. 55 (6 February 2010). El Mundo

[29] "La Infanta Elena ya está divorciada de Marichalar". El Mundo. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

[30] "Así fue la proclamación de Juan Carlos I". Lecturas (in Spanish). 17 June 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[:3-31] "El camino marcado por las infantas Elena y Cristina que podría seguir Sofía tras la marcha de Leonor". Vanity Fair (in European Spanish). 13 February 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[32] Orgambides, Fernando (26 April 1985). "Los restos mortales de la reina Victoria Eugenia, depositados en el monasterio de El Escorial". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[33] Somovilla, Miguel (16 October 1984). "El rey Juan Carlos entregará hoy los premios que llevan el nombre de su hijo". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[34] "Duquesa de Alba: La infanta Elena preside el último adiós a la Duquesa de Alba en representación del Rey". HOLA (in Spanish). 21 November 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[35] "Los Premios Nacionales del Deporte reúnen a casi toda la Familia Real". Diez Minutos (in European Spanish). 4 December 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[36] Aragón, Heraldo de (8 June 2017). "Un dibujo de una niña de Teruel, premiado en el Palacio Real de El Pardo". heraldo.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[37] "La Infanta Elena entrega los premios del XXVII Concurso de Patrimonio Nacional de Pintura Infantil y Juvenil". Europa Press. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[38] "La infanta Elena retoma su agenda oficial más sonriente que nunca y con su mejor 'look' del año". El Español (in Spanish). 16 June 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[39] "La infanta Elena retoma su actividad apoyando la pintura para los más jóvenes". Europa Press. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[40] Confidencial, El (30 July 2008). "La Infanta Elena se incorporará a Fundación Mapfre a partir del 15 septiembre". elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[41] Villar, Cote (5 March 2021). "El conflicto reputacional de las infantas Elena y Cristina más allá de la Corona". vanitatis.elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[42] Real Decreto 323/1995, de 3 de marzo, por el que se concede, con carácter vitalicio, la facultad de usar el título de Duquesa de Lugo a Su Alteza Real la Infanta Doña Elena (BOE núm. 54 de 4 de marzo 1995)

[43] "La infanta Elena regresa a la ciudad donde se casó junto a su padre, el Rey" [Princess Elena returns to the city where she married with her father, the King] (in Spanish). 23 May 2008. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

[44] "La infanta Elena recibe el Lazo de Dama de la Real Maestranza en Zaragoza" [The Infanta Elena receives the Collar of Lady of the Royal Cavalry of Zaragoza]. El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). 9 May 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

[45] "Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour" (PDF) (in German). 23 April 2012. p. 1124.

[46] "El Rey recibe al presidente de Austria" [The King receives the President of Austria]. El País (in Spanish). 3 June 1997. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

[47] ABC (Madrid) (in Spanish), Hemeroteca, 20 September 1994, p. 23

[48] "Chile y España dejan atrás tensiones" [Chile and Spain leave tensions behind] (in Spanish). BBC Mundo. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

[49] "Don Juan Carlos recuerda que 'no hay espacio para los terroristas en nuestras sociedades libres'" [Don Juan Carlos reminds us that 'there is no room for terrorists in our free societies']. El Mundo (in Spanish). 26 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

[50] Úbeda-Portugués, José Escribano (2005). La dimensión europea de la política exterior española hacia América latina: política internacional de los primeros gobiernos socialistas. Editorial Visión Libros. ISBN 9788498212440.

[51] Icelandese Presidency Website^{[permanent dead link‍]}, Borbón, Elena de ; prinsessa ; Spánn ; 16 September 1985 ; Stórkross (= Elena of Bourbon, Princess, Spain, 16 September 1985, Grand Cross)

[52] Italian Presidency, ELENA S.A.R. l'Infanta di Spagna – Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana

[53] ABC (Madrid), Hemeroteca, 8 October 1994, p. 29

[54] ABC (Madrid), Hemeroteca, 9 October 1985, p. 8

[55] ABC (Madrid), ABC Hemeroteca, 25 April 1995, p. 24

[56] "La Familia Real recibe, de gala, al Presidente de Perú en el Palacio Real de Madrid". 6 July 2004. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

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+{{Short description|Spanish infanta (born 1963)}}
-Her Royal Highness '''Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo''' (Elena María Isabel Dominica de los Silos de Borbón y Grecia), styled '''''HRH The Infanta Elena''''' (born [[December 20]], [[1963]]), is the eldest daughter of King [[Juan Carlos I of Spain|Juan Carlos]] and [[Sofía of Spain|Queen Sofía]], and second in the [[line of succession]] to the Spanish throne, after her brother [[Felipe, Prince of Asturias|Felipe]], the Prince of Asturias.
+{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
+{{Family name hatnote|Borbón|Grecia|lang=Spanish}}
+{{Infobox royalty
+| name         = Infanta Elena
+| title        = [[Duchess of Lugo]]
+| image        = L’infante Hélène d’Espagne, duchesse de Lugo en 2011.jpg
+| caption      = Elena in 2011
+| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Jaime de Marichalar, Lord of Tejada]]|18 March 1995|21 January 2010|end=div}}
+| issue        = [[Felipe de Marichalar y Borbón]]<br>[[Victoria de Marichalar y Borbón]]
+| house        = [[Bourbon-Anjou]]
+| father       = [[Juan Carlos I of Spain]]
+| mother       = [[Sophia of Greece and Denmark]]
+| full name    = Elena María Isabel Dominica de Silos de Borbón y de Grecia
+| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1963|12|20|df=y}}
+| birth_place  = Our Lady of Loreto Hospital, [[Madrid]], [[Spanish State|Spain]]
+| signature    = Signature of Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo.jpg
+}}
+{{Spanish Royal Family}}
+'''Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo''' (Elena María Isabel Dominica de Silos de Borbón y de Grecia; born 20 December 1963), is the first child and eldest daughter of [[King Juan Carlos I]] and [[Queen Sofía of Spain|Queen Sofía]]. As the eldest sister of [[King Felipe VI]], Elena is the third in the [[line of succession to the Spanish throne]]. She has a younger sister, [[Infanta Cristina of Spain|Infanta Cristina]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-28 |title=King Felipe of Spain's 21-year-old niece documents her lavish life on social media |url=https://www.hola.com/us/royals/20220128309016/king-felipe-of-spain-niece-victoria-de-marichalar-y-borbon/ |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=HOLA |language=en-US}}</ref>
-She married [[Jaime de Marichalar y Sáenz de Tejada]] on [[March 18]], [[1995]], at [[Seville]], at which time her father conferred on her the title Duchess of Lugo. She has two children, [[Felipe Juan Froilán de Todos los Santos de Marichalar y de Borbón|Felipe]] (born [[July 17]], [[1998]]), and [[Victoria Federica de Todos los Santos de Marichalar y de Borbón|Victoria]] (born [[September 9]], [[2000]]).
+On 3 March 1995, on the occasion of her marriage to [[Jaime de Marichalar y Sáenz de Tejada|Jaime de Marichalar y Sáenz de Tejada, Lord of Tejada]], she was created [[Duchess of Lugo]] by her father, King Juan Carlos. The title, as part of the titles belonging to the Spanish crown, was granted to her for life and her descendants will not be able to inherit it.
+Since the ascension of her younger brother to the Spanish throne, Elena is not part of the [[Spanish royal family|royal family]]. However, just as she did during her father's reign, she currently represents the Crown when required by the monarch. She has also represented her family abroad on several occasions, having travelled to [[Germany]], the [[United Kingdom]], the [[United States]], [[Argentina]], [[Japan]], [[Peru]], and the [[Philippines]].
-She has a younger sister, the [[Infanta Cristina of Spain]].
+==Early life and family==
-{{msg:stub}}
+[[File:(Infanta Elena) De proclamatie en beëdiging van Prins Juan Carlos tot Koning van Spanje tijdens , Bestanddeelnr 254-9764 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|left|Elena as a child in 1975]]
+Infanta Elena was born on 20 December 1963 at Our Lady of Loreto Hospital, now known as ORPEA Madrid Loreto, in [[Madrid]]. She is the first member to be born in hospital from King Juan Carlos I's family and she is eldest child of [[King Juan Carlos I]], the former Spanish monarch, and his wife, [[Queen Sofía]] (born [[List of princesses of Greece|Princess of Greece and Denmark]]). She has one sister and one brother.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1963/12/21/065.html|title=ABC (Madrid) - 21/12/1963, p. 65 - ABC.es Hemeroteca|website=hemeroteca.abc.es|date=8 August 2019|access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref>
+Elena studied at Santa María del Camino School in Madrid<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-03 |title=La Infanta Elena visita el colegio que lleva su nombre |url=https://www.europapress.es/chance/realeza/noticia-infanta-elena-visita-colegio-lleva-nombre-20121003124528.html |access-date=2023-10-14 |publisher=Europa Press}}</ref> and got a diploma as teacher of secondary school in 1986, with a specialty in [[English studies]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Taulés |first=Silvia |date=2020-06-18 |title=Polémica en las redes: no, el contribuyente no paga los bolsos de Victoria Federica |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2020-06-18/victoria-federica-redes-paga-bolsos-contribuyentes_2644984/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es}}</ref>  She later moved to [[Paris]] in order to study [[French literature]]; it was during this time that she met her future husband.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spain's King Juan Carlos' eldest daughter Infanta Elena to divorce |url=http://www.barcelonareporter.com/index.php?%2Fnews%2Fcomments%2Fspains_king_juan_carlos_eldest_daughter_infanta_elena_to_divorce%2F |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721105943/http://www.barcelonareporter.com/index.php?/news/comments/spains_king_juan_carlos_eldest_daughter_infanta_elena_to_divorce/ |archive-date=21 July 2012 |access-date=11 May 2019 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> After working as an English teacher at her childhood school, she graduated in Education Sciences by the [[Comillas Pontifical University]] in 1993.<ref name=":2" />
+== Equestrianism ==
+Since she was a child, Elena showed a special preference for horse riding, a passion that she inherited from her grandmother, [[Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies|Princess María de las Mercedes, Countess of Barcelona]].<ref name="Barrientos">{{Cite web |last=Barrientos |first=Paloma |date=2023-05-03 |title=La razón que ha dado la infanta Elena para no participar en el concurso hípico Comunidad de Madrid |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2023-05-03/infanta-elena-concurso-hipico-ausencia-caballo-jordano_3622258/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es}}</ref> It was during her adolescence that she began to make a name for herself in the world of [[Jumping (horse)|show jumping]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Moro |first=María Luisa G. |date=2022-12-20 |title=La infanta Elena cumple 59 años: la intrahistoria de su faceta como amazona |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2022-12-20/infanta-elena-cumpleanos-amazona_3542665/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es}}</ref> She debuted in an official competition in 1982 at the ''[[Club de Campo Villa de Madrid]]''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2016-09-03 |title=Todo lo que ha aclarado el accidente hípico de la Infanta Elena |url=https://www.elmundo.es/loc/2016/09/03/57c9b357ca474163338b45e5.html |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es}}</ref>  After this, in the late 1980s King Juan Carlos ordered the construction of stables and a riding arena at the [[Palace of Zarzuela|Royal Palace of Zarzuela]] so that his daughter could practice her hobby in the palace.<ref name=":1" /> As of 2023, although she no longer resides in Zarzuela nor is she part of the royal family, she continues to use these facilities that she upholds financially.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moro |first=María Luisa G. |date=2023-12-20 |title=La infanta Elena, una amazona muy querida: hablamos con Luis Astolfi y otros amigos de la hípica |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2023-12-20/60-cumpleanos-infanta-elena-amazona-querida_3795616/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es}}</ref>
+Elena was described by fellow equestrian [[Luis Jaime Carvajal y Salas]], 5th Duke of Aveyro, as a "very good [rider]" but he pointed that her problem was that horse riding "requires time and she doesn't have it" as a member of the royal family.<ref name="Barrientos"/>
+Among the most notable horses of the Infanta are Qant (her favorite horse since 2011)<ref name=":1" /> and Jordano EB (Qant successor), a chestnut-bred horse that she bred herself.<ref name=":0" /> As of 2016, Elena owned, at least, eight different horses.<ref name=":1" />
+Elena has had several equestrian teachers; since she left the royal family, she has not had an official one. The most relevant are Felipe de Zuleta y Alejandro from 2006 to 2015,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bolonio |first=Marta |date=2015-05-21 |title=Las dos versiones que explicarían la ruptura profesional de doña Elena y Felipe Zuleta |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2015-05-21/las-dos-versiones-que-explicarian-la-ruptura-profesional-de-dona-elena-y-felipe-zuleta_852722/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es}}</ref> an official of the [[Royal Guard (Spain)|Royal Guard]] and brother of the [[José Manuel de Zuleta y Alejandro|Duke of Abrantes]], private secretary of [[Queen Letizia of Spain|Queen Letizia]] from 2014 to 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Higuera |first=Raoul |date=2014-06-27 |title=José Manuel Zuleta, la nueva mano derecha de la Reina doña Letizia |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2014-06-27/jose-manuel-zuleta-la-nueva-mano-derecha-y-amigo-de-la-reina-letizia_153056/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es}}</ref> and Luis Astolfi Pérez de Guzmán, a former boyfriend and currently a close friend to the infanta. Luis and Elena relinked their friendship in 2013 after many years without contact.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-10 |title=Luis Astolfi y la infanta Elena: de su secreta historia de amor a su apoyo incondicional después de 30 años y tras las dificultades |url=https://www.mujerhoy.com/celebrities/realeza/luis-astolfi-infanta-elena-amor-secreto-relacion-prohibida-ruptura-apoyo-divorcio-dificultades-polemicas-20220710141457-nt.html |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Mujer Hoy |language=es}}</ref>
+She shares this hobby with her daughter, [[Victoria de Marichalar y Borbón|Victoria, Grandee of Spain]],<ref name=":1" /> as well as watching [[bullfighting]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernández |first=Carla |date=2022-05-11 |title=Victoria Federica y su madre, la infanta Elena: tarde de toros en Las Ventas |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2022-05-11/infanta-elena-victoria-federica-las-ventas-toros_3423172/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es}}</ref>
+==Marriage and children==
+{{Main|Wedding of Infanta Elena and Jaime de Marichalar}}
+Elena met [[Jaime de Marichalar|Jaime de Marichalar y Sáenz de Tejada, Lord of Tejada]], son of the Amalio de Marichalar y Bruguera, 8th Count of Ripalda, for the first time in 1987 in [[Paris]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=El economista que entró en Zarzuela {{!}} elmundo.es |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2007/11/13/espana/1194973887.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.elmundo.es}}</ref> Elena was studying French literature at the French capital while Jaime was working for the Swiss bank [[Credit Suisse]].<ref name=":4" /> Soon after that meeting, they started a relationship but it was not until 1993 that the press got the first photographs of the couple and during 1994, the wedding rumors increased. On 23 November 1994, the [[Royal Household of Spain|Royal Household]] made official their engagement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Galaz |first=Mábel |date=1994-11-24 |title=La infanta Elena se casa con Jaime de Marichalar |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1994/11/24/espana/785631619_850215.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |issn=1134-6582}}</ref>
+The formal marriage proposal was made on 26 November 1994 at the [[Palace of Zarzuela|Royal Palace of Zarzuela]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Galaz |first=Mábel |date=1994-11-27 |title="Jaime no paró hasta convencerme" |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1994/11/27/espana/785890816_850215.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |issn=1134-6582}}</ref> The engagement ring was a diamond ring part of a tiara belonging to the groom's mother, María de la Concepción Sáenz de Tejada y Fernández de Bobadilla, Lady of Tejada.<ref name=":5" /> In addition to the immediate royal family, [[Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies|Princess María de las Mercedes, Countess of Barcelona]] (the bride's grandmother), [[Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz]] (the bride's aunt) and the [[Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria|Duchess]] and [[Carlos Zurita, Duke of Soria|Duke of Soria]] (the bride's aunt and uncle) were also present.<ref name=":5" />[[File:Boda real Infanta Elena.jpg|thumb|Elena and her father, King Juan Carlos, the day of the wedding.]]Their wedding took place on 18 March 1995, in the [[Seville Cathedral]]. This was the first royal wedding in Spain since the wedding of King [[Alfonso XIII]] and Princess [[Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg]] in 1906.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-18 |title=Veinte años del 'sí quiero' de la infanta Elena y Jaime de Marichalar |url=https://www.diariosur.es/gente-estilo/201503/18/veinte-anos-quiero-infanta-20150318163141-rc.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Diario Sur |language=es-ES}}</ref> Around 1,500 guests, including representatives of 39 royal houses, attended the event.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-18 |title=Así fue la boda de la Infanta Elena y Jaime de Marichalar que revolucionó Sevilla: el velo de Sofía, Juan Carlos de padrino y 39 casas reales |url=https://www.mujerhoy.com/celebrities/realeza/boda-infanta-elena-jaime-marichalar-sevilla-vestido-novia-joyas-padrino-invitados-menu-20230318084622-nt.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Mujer Hoy |language=es}}</ref> 150,000 citizens filled the streets around the Cathedral.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pérez |first=Patricia Gómez |date=1995-03-19 |title=150.000 sevillanos arroparon con sus palmas a los recién casados en su paseo por Sevilla |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1995/03/19/espana/795567630_850215.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |issn=1134-6582}}</ref> Also, to celebrate the occasion, King Juan Carlos created Infanta Elena as [[Duchess of Lugo]].<ref>{{cite web |last=[[Royal Household of Spain|Royal Household]] |title=Royal Decree 323/1995, of March 3, which grants, for life, the authorization to use the title of Duchess of Lugo to Her Royal Highness the Infanta Doña Elena. |pages=7477 |url=https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-1995-5742 |access-date=16 October 2023 |language=es |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
+The couple has two children: [[Felipe de Marichalar y Borbón]] (born 17 July 1998)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.esdiario.com/324101717/Froilan-descoloca-a-sus-propios-familiares-y-amigos-con-un-giro-inesperado.html|title=Froilán descoloca a sus propios familiares y amigos con un giro inesperado|date=18 July 2018|access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date=10 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210135456/https://www.esdiario.com/324101717/Froilan-descoloca-a-sus-propios-familiares-y-amigos-con-un-giro-inesperado.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Victoria de Marichalar y Borbón]] (born 9 September 2000) were born at Ruber International Hospital in Madrid.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/2000/09/10/espana/968536810_850215.html|title=Nace la primera nieta de los Reyes, que se llamará Victoria Federica|work=[[El País]]|date=10 September 2000|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> On 26 June 2003, a few days after the king announced the third pregnancy of his daughter, Elena suffered a miscarriage.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-06-26 |title=La infanta Elena sufre un aborto |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2003/06/26/agenda/1056578402_850215.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |issn=1134-6582}}</ref> As children of an [[Infanta of Spain]], Elena's children are [[Grandees of Spain]].
+On 13 November 2007, it was announced that Elena had separated from her husband.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.es/espana/abci-zarzuela-anuncia-cese-temporal-convivencia-matrimonial-duques-lugo-200711130300-1641343084090_noticia.html|title=Zarzuela anuncia el cese temporal de la convivencia matrimonial de los Duques de Lugo|publisher=ABC|date=13 November 2007|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> In November 2009, the Spanish media reported that she and her husband would divorce, although a rumour to that effect had been circulating for a year before the announcement was made.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/11/14/espana/1258157365.html|title=La Infanta Elena y Jaime de Marichalar se divorcian de mutuo acuerdo|trans-title=Infanta Elena and Jaime de Marichalar agreed to divorce|work=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]|date=14 November 2009|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2008/09/13/actualidad/1221293825_850215.html|title=¿Un divorcio de Estado?|work=El País|date=13 September 2008|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> Their divorce papers were signed on 25 November 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elperiodico.com/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=46&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=665042&idseccio_PK=1028|title=El Periódico - Actualidad y noticias de última hora |website=Elperiodico.com|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> The Duchess and Duke consort of Lugo were divorced in December 2009.<ref>Villar, Cote. ''Guardián de acero para el divorcio real''. La otra crónica, no. 55 (6 February 2010). El Mundo</ref> On 21 January 2010, the divorce was registered at the Civil Registry of the Spanish Royal Family and it was officially announced on 9 February 2010; Jaime de Marichalar was no longer permitted to use the ducal title and he was no longer considered to be an official member of the [[Spanish Royal Family]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2010/02/09/espana/1265709822.html |title=La Infanta Elena ya está divorciada de Marichalar|work=El Mundo|date=10 February 2010|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref>
+== Activities and personal work ==
+Elena started to attend official events at a very young age. One of the first official events she attended was the proclamation of her father in November 1975.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-17 |title=Así fue la proclamación de Juan Carlos I |url=https://www.lecturas.com/actualidad/asi-fue-la-proclamacion-de-juan-carlos-i_12912 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Lecturas |language=es}}</ref> Since finishing her most basic education in 1983, Elena, along with her sister [[Infanta Cristina of Spain|Cristina]], supported their parents representing the Crown at official events such as the [[National Day of Spain|National Day]], the wedding of [[Princess Astrid of Belgium]],<ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine |date=2021-02-13 |title=El camino marcado por las infantas Elena y Cristina que podría seguir Sofía tras la marcha de Leonor |url=https://www.revistavanityfair.es/realeza/articulos/infanta-sofia-leonor-colegio-gales-elena-cristina/48807 |access-date=2023-10-14 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=es-ES}}</ref> the re-burial of [[Queen Victoria Eugenia]] at [[El Escorial]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Orgambides |first=Fernando |date=1985-04-26 |title=Los restos mortales de la reina Victoria Eugenia, depositados en el monasterio de El Escorial |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1985/04/26/espana/483314407_850215.html |access-date=2023-10-14 |issn=1134-6582}}</ref> the state visit of Mexican president [[Miguel de la Madrid]] to Spain,<ref name=":3" /> and the 1984 [[Prince of Asturias Awards]] ceremony,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Somovilla |first=Miguel |date=1984-10-16 |title=El rey Juan Carlos entregará hoy los premios que llevan el nombre de su hijo |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1984/10/16/cultura/466729204_850215.html |access-date=2023-10-14 |issn=1134-6582}}</ref> among others.
+Since the ascension of her brother in June 2014 and the consequent departure from the royal family, Elena has reduced her public appearances. Exceptionally, that year she represented the Crown in some events, such as the funeral of [[Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba]] in November 2014<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-21 |title=Duquesa de Alba: La infanta Elena preside el último adiós a la Duquesa de Alba en representación del Rey |url=https://www.hola.com/actualidad/2014112175178/duquesa-alba-funeral-infanta-elena/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=HOLA |language=es}}</ref> and the delivery of the National Sports Awards in December 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-12-04 |title=Los Premios Nacionales del Deporte reúnen a casi toda la Familia Real |url=https://www.diezminutos.es/familia-real/monarquia-espanola/news/g7121/los-premios-nacionales-del-deporte-reunen-a-casi-toda-la-familia-real/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Diez Minutos |language=es-ES}}</ref> Since then, Elena has limited her institutional activity to annually presiding over the awards ceremony for the [[Patrimonio Nacional]]'s Children's and Youth Painting Contest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aragón |first=Heraldo de |title=Un dibujo de una niña de Teruel, premiado en el Palacio Real de El Pardo |url=https://www.heraldo.es/noticias/aragon/teruel/2017/06/08/un-dibujo-una-nina-teruel-premiado-palacio-real-pardo-1180460-2261128.html |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=heraldo.es |date=8 June 2017 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-18 |title=La Infanta Elena entrega los premios del XXVII Concurso de Patrimonio Nacional de Pintura Infantil y Juvenil |url=https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-infanta-elena-entrega-premios-xxvii-concurso-patrimonio-nacional-pintura-infantil-juvenil-20180618214301.html |access-date=2023-10-14 |publisher=Europa Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-16 |title=La infanta Elena retoma su agenda oficial más sonriente que nunca y con su mejor 'look' del año |url=https://www.elespanol.com/corazon/casas-reales/20220616/infanta-elena-retoma-agenda-oficial-sonriente-nunca/680681970_0.html |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=El Español |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-06 |title=La infanta Elena retoma su actividad apoyando la pintura para los más jóvenes |url=https://www.europapress.es/chance/realeza/noticia-infanta-elena-retoma-actividad-apoyando-pintura-mas-jovenes-20230606203039.html |access-date=2023-10-14 |publisher=Europa Press}}</ref>
+In addition to her obligations as an infanta, Elena has a personal job that allows her to compensate for the lack of public salary by not being a member of the royal family. Elena has worked at the [[Mapfre|Mapfre Foundation]] since 2008 and currently serves as director of social and cultural projects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Confidencial |first=El |date=2008-07-30 |title=La Infanta Elena se incorporará a Fundación Mapfre a partir del 15 septiembre |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/mercados/2008-07-30/la-infanta-elena-se-incorporara-a-fundacion-mapfre-a-partir-del-15-septiembre_1019022/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}}</ref> From this position, Infanta Elena has helped the foundation to promote projects and give visibility to various cooperation programs in [[Latin America]] through several international tours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Villar |first=Cote |date=2021-03-05 |title=El conflicto reputacional de las infantas Elena y Cristina más allá de la Corona |url=https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2021-03-05/infanta-elena-cristina-mapfre-caixa-dano-reputacional-corona_2977151/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com |language=es}}</ref> Most of the public appearances of the infanta are related to the social activities of this foundation.
+==Titles, styles, honours and arms==
+[[File:Coat of Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo.svg|thumb|Her coat of arms since her divorce.|309x309px]]
+===Titles and styles===
+*20 December 1963 {{spaced ndash}} 3 March 1995: ''Her Royal Highness'' [[Infanta]] [[Doña]] Elena<ref>[http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1995/03/04/pdfs/A07477-07477.pdf Real Decreto 323/1995, de 3 de marzo, por el que se concede, con carácter vitalicio, la facultad de usar el título de Duquesa de Lugo a Su Alteza Real la Infanta Doña Elena] (BOE núm. 54 de 4 de marzo 1995)</ref>
+*3 March 1995{{spaced ndash}}present: ''Her Royal Highness'' Infanta Doña Elena, Duchess of Lugo
+===Honours===
+{{See also|List of honours of the Spanish Royal Family by country}}
+====National honours====
+*{{Flag|Spain}}:
+** Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Charles III]]
+** Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Isabella the Catholic]]
+** Dame of the [[Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla|Royal Cavalry Armory of Seville]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://us.hola.com/es/realeza/casa_espanola/2008052315952/casasreales/espanola/infanta/elena/rey|title=La infanta Elena regresa a la ciudad donde se casó junto a su padre, el Rey|trans-title=Princess Elena returns to the city where she married with her father, the King|language=es|date=23 May 2008|access-date=25 September 2019|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930180312/https://us.hola.com/es/realeza/casa_espanola/2008052315952/casasreales/espanola/infanta/elena/rey|url-status=dead}}</ref>
+** Dame of the [[Maestranza de caballería|Royal Cavalry Armory of Zaragoza]]<ref>{{cite news|trans-title=The Infanta Elena receives the Collar of Lady of the Royal Cavalry of Zaragoza|title=La infanta Elena recibe el Lazo de Dama de la Real Maestranza en Zaragoza|url=https://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/noticias/aragon/infanta-elena-recibe-lazo-dama-real-maestranza-zaragoza_940490.html|date=9 May 2014|work=[[El Periódico de Aragón]]|access-date=25 September 2019|language=es}}</ref>
+====Foreign honours====
+*{{Flag|Austria}}: Grand Star of the [[Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf|title=Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour|language=de|page=1124|date=23 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/03/espana/865288817_850215.html|title=El Rey recibe al presidente de Austria|trans-title=The King receives the President of Austria|language=es|work=[[El País]]|date=3 June 1997|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref>
+*{{flag|Belgium}}: Grand Cordon of the [[Order of Leopold (Belgium)|Order of Leopold]]<ref>{{citation|title=ABC (Madrid)|date=20 September 1994|page=23|publisher=Hemeroteca|language=es}}</ref>
+*{{flag|Chile}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of Merit (Chile)|Order of Merit]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_1370000/1370078.stm|title=Chile y España dejan atrás tensiones|trans-title=Chile and Spain leave tensions behind|publisher=BBC Mundo|language=es|date=4 July 2011|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref>
+*{{Flag|Greece}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of Honour (Greece)|Order of Honour]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2001/09/25/enespecial/1001452061.html|title=Don Juan Carlos recuerda que 'no hay espacio para los terroristas en nuestras sociedades libres'|trans-title=Don Juan Carlos reminds us that 'there is no room for terrorists in our free societies'|work=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]|language=es|date=26 September 2011|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref>
+*{{flag|Guatemala}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Quetzal]]<ref>{{cite book|title=La dimensión europea de la política exterior española hacia América latina: política internacional de los primeros gobiernos socialistas|author=Úbeda-Portugués, José Escribano|year=2005|publisher=Editorial Visión Libros|isbn=9788498212440}}</ref>
+*{{flag|Iceland}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Falcon]]<ref>[http://falkadb.forseti.is/orduskra/fal03.php?term=Borb%F3n%2C+Elena+de&sub=Leita Icelandese Presidency Website]{{Dead link|date=May 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, Borbón, Elena de ; prinsessa ; Spánn ; 16 September 1985 ; Stórkross (= Elena of Bourbon, Princess, Spain, 16 September 1985, Grand Cross)</ref>
+*{{flag|Italy}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]<ref>Italian Presidency, [http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=11608 ELENA S.A.R. l'Infanta di Spagna] – Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana</ref>
+*{{flag|Japan}}: Grand Cordon (Paulownia) of the [[Order of the Precious Crown]]<ref>{{citation|title=ABC (Madrid)|date=8 October 1994|page=29|publisher=Hemeroteca}}</ref>
+*{{flag|Jordan}}: Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Star of Jordan]]
+*{{flag|Luxembourg}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of Adolphe of Nassau]]
+*{{flag|Kingdom of Nepal}}: Member 1st Class of the [[Order of Tri Shakti Patta|Order of the Three Divine Powers]]
+*{{flag|Netherlands}}: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Orange-Nassau]]<ref>{{citation|title=ABC (Madrid)|date=9 October 1985|page=8|publisher=Hemeroteca}}</ref>
+*{{flag|Norway}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of St. Olav|Order of Saint Olav]]<ref>{{citation|title=ABC (Madrid)|date=25 April 1995|page=24|publisher=ABC Hemeroteca}}</ref>
+*{{flag|Peru}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Sun of Peru]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://us.hola.com/es/realeza/casa_espanola/2004070616229/casasreales/espanola/recepcion/peru/|title=La Familia Real recibe, de gala, al Presidente de Perú en el Palacio Real de Madrid|date=6 July 2004|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref>
+*{{flag|Portugal}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of Christ (Portugal)|Order of Christ]]
+*{{flag|Portugal}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of Prince Henry]]
+*{{Flag|Sweden}}: Recipient of the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Sweden|50th Birthday Badge Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf]]
+<!-- Hidden because of questions on its official status ==Arms===
+{{Infobox COA wide
+|image             =Coat of Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo.svg
+|bannerimage       = Personal Standard of Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo.svg
+|badgeimage        =
+|notes             = The Duchess's personalized [[coat of arms]] are the shield of the [[Coat of arms of the King of Spain|arms of the monarch in right of Spain]].
+|adopted           =
+|crest             =The crown of Infantes of Spain
+|torse             =
+|helm              =
+|escutcheon        = Quarterly 1stgules a castle or, triple-embattled and voided gate and windows, with three towers each triple-turreted, of the field, masoned sable and ajoure azure 2ndargent a lion rampant purpure crowned or, langued and armed 3rd or, four pallets gules and 4th gules a cross, saltire and orle of chains linked together or, a centre point vert<br/>Argent enté en point, with a pomegranate proper seeded gules, supported, sculpted and leafed in two leaves vert.<br/>Inescutcheon azure bordure gules, three fleurs-de-lys or.
+|supporters        =
+|compartment       =
+|motto             =
+|orders            =The Grand Cross of the [[Order of Charles III]] ribbon.
+|other_elements    = The whole differenced by a label of three points azure, the central point charged with a Eucharist  or.
+|banner = The Duchess of Lugo's personal Royal Standard is [[Royal Standard of Spain|that of the Spanish Monarch]] (a crimson square flag) with a swallow-tail and charged with her personalized coat of arms.
+|badge             =
+|symbolism         = As with the Royal Arms of Spain. The first quarter are the arms of [[Kingdom of Castile|Castile]], the second of [[Kingdom of León|León]],  the third of [[Crown of Aragon|Aragon]] and the fourth of [[Kingdom of Navarre|Navarre]]. Enté en point, the arms of [[Granada]]. Inescutcheon, the arms of [[House of Bourbon|Bourbon-Anjou]].
+The Eucharist or has been a charge of the arms of [[Lugo]].<ref>''Proyecto Galicia : Serie de Heráldica Genealogía y Nobiliaria''. T. V (LVIII). La Coruña: Hércules de Ediciones, 2011. {{ISBN|978-84-92715-31-2}}. P. 529.</ref>
+|previous_versions =[[File:Coat of arms of Infanta Elena of Spain (1995-2010).svg|80px]]
+'''From 1995 to 2010'''
+As a married woman the Duchess of Lugo had her arms displayed on an oval shield.
+}}-->
+==Ancestry==
+{{ahnentafel
+|collapsed=yes |align=center
+|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
+|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
+|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
+|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
+|1= 1. '''Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo'''
+|2= 2. [[Juan Carlos I of Spain]]
+|3= 3. [[Queen Sofía of Spain|Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark]]
+|4= 4. [[Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona]]
+|5= 5. [[Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies]]
+|6= 6. [[Paul I of Greece]]
+|7= 7. [[Frederica of Hanover|Princess Frederica of Hanover]]
+|8= 8. [[Alfonso XIII of Spain]]
+|9= 9. [[Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg|Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg]]
+|10= 10. [[Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies]]
+|11= 11. [[Princess Louise of Orléans]]
+|12= 12. [[Constantine I of Greece]]
+|13= 13. [[Sophia of Prussia|Princess Sophia of Prussia]]
+|14= 14. [[Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick]]
+|15= 15. [[Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia]]
+}}
+==See also==
+*[[Line of succession to the Spanish Throne]]
+==References==
+{{Reflist|30em}}
+== External links ==
+*[http://www.casareal.es/sar_elena/index-ides-idweb.html Her Royal Highness the Infanta Elena (official profile)] {{in lang|es}}
+* {{YouTube|xGeyPID-uwI|Video of her wedding}}
+{{Clear}}
+{{S-start}}
+{{S-hou|[[House of Bourbon]]|20 December|1963|Living||[[Capetian dynasty]]}}
+{{S-other|line}}
+{{Succession box|title=[[Line of succession to the Spanish throne]]|before=[[Infanta Sofía of Spain|Infanta Sofía]]|after=[[Felipe de Marichalar y Borbón|Felipe de Marichalar]]|years=3rd in line}}
+{{S-end}}
+{{Infantas of Spain}}
+{{Authority control}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Elena Of Lugo, Duchess, Infanta}}
+[[Category:1963 births]]
+[[Category:Living people]]
+[[Category:Spanish infantas]]
+[[Category:Daughters of kings]]
+[[Category:House of Bourbon (Spain)]]
+[[Category:Dukes of Lugo]]
+[[Category:Alumni of the University of Exeter]]
+<!-- Honours : Spain -->
+[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic]]
+<!-- Honours -->
+[[Category:Grand Cordons of the Order of the Precious Crown]]
+[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of Christ (Portugal)]]
+[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of Prince Henry]]
+[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Quetzal]]
+[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon]]
+[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]
+[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau]]
+[[Category:Members of the Order of Tri Shakti Patta, First Class]]
+[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Sun of Peru]]
+[[Category:Spanish duchesses]]

v t e Infantas of Spain
Generations indicate descent from Carlos I, under whom the crowns of Castile and Aragon were united, forming the Kingdom of Spain.
1st generation	María, Holy Roman Empress Joanna, Princess of Portugal
2nd generation	Isabel Clara Eugenia, Duchess of Brabant Catalina Micaela, Duchess of Savoy
3rd generation	Ana, Queen of France Infanta María María Ana, Holy Roman Empress Infanta Margarita
4th generation	María Teresa, Queen of France Margarita Teresa, Holy Roman Empress
5th generation	None
6th generation	None
7th generation	Mariana Victoria, Queen of Portugal María Teresa Rafaela, Dauphine of France María Antonia Fernanda, Queen of Sardinia
8th generation	Infanta María Josefa María Luisa, Holy Roman Empress Isabella, Archduchess Joseph of Austria
9th generation	Carlota Joaquina, Queen of Portugal María Amalia, Infanta Antonio Pascual of Spain María Luisa, Queen of Etruria and Duchess of Lucca María Isabel, Queen of the Two Sicilies
10th generation	Queen Isabel II Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier Isabel Fernanda, Countess Ignaz Gurowski* Infanta Luisa Teresa, Duchess of Sessa* Infanta Josefa Fernanda, Mrs. José Guëll* María Cristina, Infanta Sebastian of Portugal and Spain* Amalia, Princess Adalbert of Bavaria* María Luisa Carlota, Hereditary Princess of Saxony*
11th generation	Infanta Isabel, Countess of Girgenti Infanta María del Pilar María de la Paz, Princess Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria Infanta Eulalia, Duchess of Galliera Infanta María Isabel, Countess of Paris* Infanta Maria Amelia* Infanta María Cristina* Maria de las Mercedes, Queen of Spain*
12th generation	Maria de las Mercedes, Princess of Asturias and Princess Carlos of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies María Teresa, Princess Ferdinand of Bavaria
13th generation	Infanta Beatriz, Princess of Citivella-Cesi Infanta María Cristina, Countess Marone Isabel Alfonsa, Countess Jan Kanty Zamoyski* Maria de las Mercedes, Princess Irakli Bagration of Mukhrani *
14th generation	Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz and Viscountess of La Torre Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria and Hernani
15th generation	Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo Infanta Cristina
16th generation	Leonor, Princess of Asturias Infanta Sofía
*title granted by Royal Decree

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