Infanta Elena Turns 50

Infanta Elena of Spain celebrates her 50th birthday on December 20th.

The eldest child and daughter of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia was born in Madrid in 1963. Her baptism took place at the Zarzuela Palace Chapel on December 27th; her godparents being her late grandmother, Princess Maria de las Mercedes de Borbón-Two Sicilies, Countess of Barcelona and her cousin, Infante Alfonso de Orleans y Borbón, Duke of Galliera. The Infanta’s full name is Elena María Isabel Dominica de Silos de Borbón y de Grecia.

Infanta Elena studied at the Colegio de Santa María del Camino in Madrid and later at the ESCUNI University School of Madrid.

In March 1995, Elena married the Spanish noble Don Jaime de Marichalar, son of the Count and Countess de Ripalda. The couple have two children, a son Don Felipe Juan de Marichalar y de Borbón, born in July 1998, and a daughter, Doña Victoria Federica de Marichalar y de Borbón, born in September 2000. Prior to her marriage, her father King Juan Carlos bestowed the Dukedom of Lugo on Elena for life.

In November 2007, Infanta Elena and her husband separated and were divorced in November 2009.

A very popular member of the Spanish Royal Family, Infanta Elena is currently 4th in the line of succession to the Spanish throne. Like most Spanish Royal Family birthdays, it’s believed the Infanta’s 50th Birthday party will be low-key and private.

Filed under Spain
Tagged Biography, Birthday, Infanta Elena Duchess of Lugo.

2 Responses to Infanta Elena Turns 50