No longer the queen in title, Sofia of Spain remains every bit the picture of regality and grace.
She continues to honor thecharitable causesthat are close to her heart.
She also prides herself on being thevery best grannythe Spanish royal grandkids could ask for.
Sofia’sfamily lineis packed with kings, queens, princesses, and princes from all over the world.
She did return to Greek soil in 1946, but would not remain there for long.
However, it would be quite a while before these two royals would make it down the aisle.
One year after their first meeting, they saw one another at the wedding of the Duke of Kent.
It was there that Sofia and Juan Carlos knew they were destined to be together.
It is said that the future king of Spain proposed in an unusual way.
She caught the ring box, caught a future king, and eventually caught a new royal title.
The pair, who are actuallythird cousins through Queen Victoria of England, went on to marry in 1962.
From there, Sofia of Spain attended Schloss Salem boarding school in Southern Germany.
Upon returning to Athens, Greece, she focused her studies on pediatrics, music, and archeology.
She also studied at Fitzwilliam College in Cambridge.
Queen Letizia is keeping the tradition of queenly education alive by ensuring that her daughters also receive extensive schooling.
Let them do what they want, but I won’t share it."
Theking readily enjoys a bullfight, and has praised the matadors who make the sport their livelihood.
Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is also a supporter of bullfighting, perBBC.
Olympic athletes are also something special.
Now imagine you are part of a royal houseandan Olympian!
Spain and Olympic sailingseem to go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Sofia of Spain’s husband, former King Juan Carlos, also sailed in the Olympics.
He competed in the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, West Germany.
Royal ladies all around the globe have poured their energy into various causes and charities.
Spain’s former Queen Sofia has also made it a point to show support for various organizations.
The Queen Sofia Foundation was started in 1977 by her majesty.
In recent years, the foundation has hyper-focused its attention on Alzheimer’s.
Sofia of Spain is also a supporter of UNICEF.
Sofia of Spain also received theGold Mercury Humanitarian Awardin 1984 for her contributions to various causes worldwide.
Former King Juan Carlos collected serious strikes against him during his reign as king.
Last was his abdication from the throne andeventual exile to Abu Dhabi.
Queen Sofia is a loving grandma
Sofia of Spain has enjoyed many titles over her 80+ years.
She has been a princess, a queen, an Olympian, and a royal mother.
