Juan Carlos, who then held the title of Prince of Asturias in pretense,[1] and Princess Sofía of Greece and Denmark, third cousins through Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, first met in 1954 on a cruise in the Greek Islands on board the liner SS Agamemnon. The cruise was organized by Queen Frederica with the intent of promoting Greek tourism and encourage matches among the younger generation of European royalty. The couple reconnected at the wedding of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and Katharine Worsley in June 1961.[2]
They became engaged three months after the Kent's wedding. The engagement was announced on 13 September 1961 at the home of Juan Carlos's paternal grandmother, Queen Victoria Eugenie, in Lausanne.[3] Juan Carlos gave Sofía a ring made from melted down ancient Greek coins. When he presented her with the ring, he tossed the box at her and said "Sofi, catch it!"[4]
Controversy
The uncertain position of Juan Carlos as a prince from a deposed dynasty made him a controversial choice as a future husband for a princess from a reigning family. Spanish monarchists rejoiced at the betrothal as they believed it increased the realism for the prospect of restoration following Franco's demise.[citation needed]
From the outset, the difference in religion caused friction on both sides. A compromise was eventually reached: two ceremonies would be held, Sofía would convert to Catholicism, and she would use the Spanish variant of her name, Sofía. Pope John XXIII allowed two ceremonies as the Greek Orthodox Church was the state religion.[5] Spanish media was requested by Franco not to cover the Greek Orthodox ceremony.[5]
The prospect of a state-funded dowry for Princess Sofía caused controversy in Greece.[6] The Hellenic Parliament approved a $300,000 tax-free dowry for the princess. The Centre Union and United Democratic Left parties abstained from voting but voiced their criticism and "denounced the practice of granting dowries as anachronistic and barbarous."[7] King Paul and Queen Frederica also sold land from their estates to pay for their daughter's dowry.[8]
Pre-wedding celebrations
On 12 May 1962, a white-tie gala was held at the Royal Palace to celebrate the impending wedding. An addition to the palace was built to house a new ballroom for the wedding celebrations. Called the Reception Hall, it is the largest room in the present-day Presidential Mansion.[9]
Wedding
Prince Juan Carlos, Princess Irene and Princess Sofía during the Roman Catholic ceremony.
The bride wore a silver and white lamé gown covered in tulle and antique lace with a 5 metres (16 ft) train designed by Greek-born Parisian couturier, Jean Dessès.[2] She also made a £7000 trousseau order at Dessès.[8]
As television had not yet arrived in Greece –it arrived in 1966–, it was decided to use the services of the European Broadcasting Union to record the wedding on tape which was then sent to Rome, from where it was relayed to the broadcasters in the continent through the Eurovision network.[11]
The newlywed Prince and Princess of Asturias with US President John F. Kennedy, 4 September 1962.
As of 2022, Juan Carlos and Sofía have been married for 60 years. They have three children, Elena (born 1963), Cristina (born 1965) and Felipe (born 1968), current King of Spain. In 1975, the pair acceded to the Spanish throne following the death of Francisco Franco. They reigned for nearly 39 years until his abdication in 2014.[14] They have lived separately since August 2020 when Juan Carlos left Spain in exile amid corruption accusations.[15]
Honeymoon
The couple travelled extensively on their honeymoon. They initially set out on a yacht cruise around the Greek islands. Further destinations included Spain, Monaco, Italy, India, Thailand, the United States and Japan. In Italy, they had an audience with Pope John XXIII. In the United States, they met with President John F. Kennedy. While the couple were away, Franco and the Count of Barcelona were in talks about the future of the Spanish monarchy and neither party could agree on where the young couple should live.[citation needed]
Eventually, they returned to Spain where they settled in the Palace of Zarzuela. They would live at Zarzuela for the next 58 years until Juan Carlos left Spain in exile. It is unclear whether Queen Sofía will remain living there or not.[citation needed]
Reaction in Spain
In Spain, Franco allowed No-Do and three major newspapers to cover the wedding.[16] Footage of the wedding was also shown on Televisión Española. However, no images of the groom's father, the Count of Barcelona, who was on bad terms with Franco, were allowed to be shown.[citation needed] Spanish monarchists rejoiced at the marriage.[citation needed]
As this wedding brought together many young, unmarried nobles, many more royal weddings came about as a result. Among the couples who met or became better acquainted at the wedding who later married:[citation needed]
^ abRobles do Campo, Carlos (2009). "Los Infantes de España tras la Derogación de la Ley Sálica (1830)" [The Spanish Princes after the Derogation of the Salic Law (1830)]. Anales de la Real Academia Matritense de Heráldica y Genealogía (in Spanish) (XII). Real Academia Matritense de Heráldica y Genealogía: 329–384. ISSN1133-1240.
^III. Otras disposiciones [III. Other provisions] (PDF) (in Spanish). 1 June 1962. p. 7498. DECRETO 1192/1962, de 10 de mayo, por el que se concede la Gran Cruz de la Real y Muy Distinguida Orden de Carlos III a Su Alteza Real la Princesa Sofía de Grecia. Queriendo dar una muestra de Mi aprecio a Su Altez Real la Princesa Sofía de Grecia, Vengo en concederle la Gran Cruz de la Real y Muy Distinguida Orden de Carlos III. Asi lo dispongo por el presente Decreto, dado en Madrid a diez de mayo de mil novecientos sesenta y dos. FRANCISCO FRANCO. DECRETO 1193/1962: de 10 de mayo, por el que se concede el Collar de la Real y Muy Distinguida Orden de Carlos III a Su Alteza Real el Principe don Juan Carlos de Borbón y Borbón. Queriendo dar una muestra de Mi aprecio a Su Alteza Real el Principe don Juan Carlos de Borbón y Borbón, Vengo en concederle el Collar de la Real y Muy Distinguida Orden de Carlos III. Así lo dispongo por el presente Decreto, dado en Madrid a diez de mayo de mil novecientos sesenta y dos. FRANCISCO FRANCO. [DECREE 1192/1962: of May 10, by which the Grand Cross of the Royal and Very Distinguished Order of Carlos III is awarded to Her Royal Highness Princess Sofía of Greece. Wanting to give a token of My appreciation to Her Royal Highness Princess Sofía of Greece, I come to grant you the Grand Cross of the Royal and Very Distinguished Order of Carlos III. I so dispose it by this Decree, given in Madrid on the tenth of May, nineteen hundred and sixty-two. FRANCISCO FRANCO. DECREE 1193/1992: of May 10, by which the Collar of the Royal and Very Distinguished Order of Carlos III is awarded to His Royal Highness Prince Juan Carlos de Borbón y Borbón. Wanting to give a token of My appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Juan Carlos de Borbón y Borbón, I come to grant you the Collar of the Royal and Very Distinguished Order of Carlos III. I so dispose it by this Decree, given in Madrid on the tenth of May, nineteen hundred and sixty-two. FRANCISCO FRANCO.] {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
