Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Over the last year, we have seen many royals celebrating their nation’s athletes following the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. This week, King Felipe of Spain celebrated the career and legacy of one of his country’s most prolific athletes, Rafael Nadal.
It’s just been announced that Nadal has been given an aristocratic title. The King of Spain has given him the title of Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca.
The title, chosen for the Spanish island where the new marquis was born and still lives, is hereditary, meaning that his children will be able to inherit the title.
King Felipe granted the new title to mark the eleventh anniversary of his accession to the throne on June 19.
Nadal is one of Spain’s most celebrated athletes. He won twenty-two major titles in his career, including two Olympic gold medals and fourteen French Open titles. Notably, he is one of three male tennis players to complete the Grand Slam in the open era.
This is not the athlete’s first honour from King Felipe. In 2008, Rafael Nadal was presented with the Prince of Asturias Award for sport, and in 2022, King Felipe presented him with the Camino Real Award of the Instituto Franklin-UAH.
Two other public figures were granted titles; singer Luz Casal and swimmer Teresa Perales also received titles.