The current Spanish royal family is one of the oldest in Europe, tracing its roots back to 17th century Spain. The present-day King of Spain, Felipe VI, is a direct descendant of Charles III who ruled from the mid 1700s up until his death in 1788.
Notable figures in the Spanish royal family include: Queen Isabella I (1451-1504), the Catholic Queen who unified Spain; Philip V (1683-1746), the first Spanish ruler of the House of Bourbon dynasty; Ferdinand VII (1784-1833), who restored absolute monarchy in Spain after its period as a republic; and King Juan Carlos I (1938-2014), who reigned over a period of transition and modernization in Spain.
Queen Isabella I (1451-1504)
Queen Isabella I of Spain was the Queen of Castile and Leon from 1474 to 1504, and she is widely credited for uniting Spain into one kingdom. During her reign, she and her husband King Ferdinand II of Aragon formed what is now known as the Catholic Monarchy in Spain. You can read more about Queen Isabella 1 here.
Philip V (1683-1746)
Philip V was the first Bourbon King of Spain, and he reigned from 1700 until his death in 1746. His rule marked a period of relative stability in Spain, during which time reforms were made to strengthen the Spanish monarchy. He established the Nueva Planta decrees, which abolished feudalism and granted more rights to the Spanish people. You can read more about King Philip V of Spain here.
Ferdinand VII (1784-1833)
Ferdinand VII was the King of Spain from 1808 until his death in 1833. He is known for restoring absolute monarchy after a period as a republic, which began in 1812 with the occupation of Napoleonic forces. He also granted more rights to the Spanish people, such as freedom of worship and press. There’s more detail about King Ferdinand VII’s life here.
King Juan Carlos I (1938-2014)
King Juan Carlos I was the King of Spain from 1975 until his abdication in 2014. He is credited with ushering in a period of transition and modernization in Spain during his reign. He helped to restore democracy in the country after Francisco Franco’s dictatorship, and he was instrumental in spurring economic progress.
Throughout its long history, the Spanish royal family has played an important role in shaping the country’s destiny. Its members have been influential figures throughout Spanish history, from uniting the kingdom to restoring absolute monarchy and ushering in a period of modernization. As the current royal family continues to lead Spain into the future, its role in history will be remembered for generations to come. Learn more about the life of King Juan Carlos 1 of Spain here.
Major Milestones in the Royal Family’s History
The Spanish royal family has been involved in some major milestones throughout its history, including the War of Spanish Succession (1702-1715) and the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). During this time, King Charles IV managed to secure the crown of Spain for his family. Later on, in 1808 and 1814, the Spanish Royal Family was forced to flee to France due to Napoleon’s invasion of Spain.
In the 19th century, the Spanish royal family was greatly reduced in power due to various uprisings and political unrest. However, after a period of instability, King Juan Carlos I helped to restore democracy in Spain in 1975. In 2014, King Juan Carlos abdicated the throne in favour of his son Felipe VI, who is the current head of the Spanish Royal Family.
Today, the Spanish royal family continues to play an important role in the country’s history and politics. From uniting Spain to spurring economic progress, the royal family of Spain is an integral part of its past and present.…