What Infanta Sofia received from dad King Felipe after her 18th birthday

Infanta Sofia received a special gift from her father the day after turning 18. On Wednesday, King Felipe of Spain awarded his younger daughter the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.

“Wishing to express my Royal appreciation to my daughter, Her Royal Highness Infanta Sofía de Borbón y Ortiz, upon reaching the age of majority, at the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and after deliberation by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on April 30, 2025, I hereby grant her the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic,” the royal decree reads (translated to English). 

King Felipe is the Grand Master of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, which was established by King Ferdinand VII in 1815, under the name of the Royal American Order of Isabella the Catholic (Real Orden Americana de Isabel la Católica), per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation. It is given to “reward extraordinary acts of a civil nature, carried out by Spanish and foreign individuals, that benefit the Nation or contribute, in a relevant way, to fostering relations of friendship and cooperation between the Spanish Nation and the rest of the International Community.”

According to the official state bulletin, Sofia’s Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic was given in Madrid on April 30. The day before, King Felipe and Queen Letizia‘s younger daughter celebrated her 18th birthday. To mark the occasion, previously unseen pictures of Sofia, taken on the grounds of Zarzuela Palace, were released.

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Sofia has been studying at UWC Atlantic, which her older sister Princess Leonor previously attended, since 2023. She is set to graduate from the school in Wales this month. While Sofia followed in her sister’s footsteps in attending the school, it’s been reported that she won’t be undergoing military training like the Princess of Asturias.

HOLA! Spain previously reported that the King and Queen’s second child considered joining the army and taking a helicopter pilot course, but has ultimately decided to pursue a university degree. Sources close to the family told HOLA! Spain that the idea is for Sofia to go to a university abroad, probably in the U.S. She has reportedly applied to several schools, one of which is believed to be in Washington.