King Opens Spain´s “British Queen” Exhibition
This week saw the opening of an exhibition into the life of Queen Victoria Eugenia, by her great grandson, King Felipe VI
The king accompanied by his wife, Queen Leticia, opened the exhibition at the Royal Collections in Madrid.
The exhibition which runs until April 2026, delves into the intriguing life and lasting impact of Queen Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg, who was Queen Victoria´s grandaughter and who in 1906 was married to King Alfonso XIII of Spain.
The exhibition showcases approximately 350 pieces, including works, documents, books, and photographs, providing a modern viewpoint on a figure who transformed the position of a Queen Consort. Victoria Eugenia blended her roles as the King’s spouse with progressive, innovative humanitarian efforts.
Victoria Eugenia was the second of four children of Prince Henry of Battenberg (1858–1896) and Princess Beatrice (1857–1944), making her the youngest granddaughter of Queen Victoria (1819–1901).
She received her education at the British court during the last years of her grandmother’s rule.
Endearingly referred to as Ena, the final name given to her at the baptismal font, she encountered Alfonso XIII (1886-1941) during his official visit to England in June 1905. In January 1906, her engagement to the King was revealed, and just prior to the wedding, Victoria Eugenia abandoned her Anglican beliefs and embraced Catholicism.
The marriage to Alfonso was nearly cut short when anarchist Mateu Morral threw a bomb at the royal carriage procession , narrowly missing the newlyweds but killing 24 people in the Calle Mayor.
Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia had six children Don Juan de Borbón (1913-1993) who was the father of King Juan Carlos and grandfather of the present king, Felipe.
She accompanied him to exile in Rome 1931 following the proclamation of the Second Republic.
Following his death in 1941 she lived in Switzerland until her death in 1969.
Her only visit to Spain during the Franco years was for the christening of Felipe in 1968.
The Queen devoted much of her public activity in Spain to charitable and social work, including reorganising the Spanish Red Cross and the Anti-Tuberculosis League, as well as founding a School for Nurses and the League Against Cancer.
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