Margarita of Austria, Philip III and the Duke of Lerma: the queen who really ruled Spain

At the height of the Spanish Empire, Margarita of Austria proved that power did not always reside where it was supposed to. In the court of Philip III, three figures shared the stage in a way that no political treatise could have scripted better: a brilliant queen, a passive king, and a greedy royal favourite […]

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Incognito and without protocol: the King and Queen of Belgium at Las Descalzas Reales

Attending Palm Sunday mass at Las Descalzas Reales and finding yourself next to the King and Queen of Belgium — as ordinary worshippers — is not something that happens every day. But in Madrid, a city given to these quiet miracles, it is not impossible either. A historical thread spanning five centuries Days earlier I

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The monarchy as a business

Spain, Denmark and The Netherlands show three different ways of understanding the monarchy. Like businesses and other institutions, the monarchy depends not only on tradition, but also on trust built over time. Trust grows slowly. When there is continuity, people show more respect. However, when there are interruptions, doubts appear and confidence becomes weaker. In

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