Rafael Nadal may have officially retired from tennis, but his home country of Spain is still celebrating him-he's now officially a member of the Spanish nobility. This week, King Felipe VI announced that Nadal would be the new Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca.
Nadal was born in Manacor, on the island of Mallorca, Spain. He is the first man to hold the title Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca, and as a hereditary title, it will pass to his son, Rafael Nadal Jr. His wife, Maria Francisca Perello, becomes the Marchioness of Llevant de Mallorca.
King Felipe VI with Nadal after he wins the 2022 French Open.
Nadal and five others were granted noble titles-the first noble titles bestowed by Felipe VI during his reign.
The others to be recognized include singer Luz Casal, the king's former secretary Jaime Alfonsín Alonso, swimmer Teresa Fernández Perales, biochemist Carlos López Otín, and the photographer Cristina García Rodero. "They are exponents of excellence, whether in service of the Crown or in the field of philosophy, culture, science, arts, or sport," the Royal Household said. "They are a source of pride for Spain and a permanent example of the values that should inspire our society."
El País, a Spanish paper, noted, "The King has granted the title to all of them as hereditary, except for López Otín, who will hold it for life...These honorary rights cannot be sold or purchased and do not entail any financial compensation. In some cases, they may revert to the Crown when the title becomes vacant due to the failure to exercise the necessary measures for its acquisition or transfer within a certain period of time."
Comments