INFANTA MARGARITA, Spanish blind, polyglot & 'rocker' Princess, TURNS 80 (Wednesday, March 6, 2019)

Infanta Margarita with her husband & daughter

The youngest sister of Spain's former King celebrated her 80th birthday, last Wednesday! Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria & 2nd Duchess of Hernari, was accompanied by her 75-year-old husband, who pulled her wheelchair on the way towards a restaurant for a jubilee lunch, and their 43-year-old daughter holding an umbrella over her parents' heads, amid the rainy day.

Alfonso Zurita attending his mother's birthday party

Infanta Elena, Margarita's niece, attending the party

Queen Sofia (also 80), attending the Party

Their 45-year-old son, royal nieces, and other relatives & friends joined them later in the afternoon at their residence for private celebrations. Infanta's sister-in-law, former Queen Sofia, also attended, but neither the latter's husband (King Juan Carlos), nor Margarita's eldest sibling (Infanta Pillar) were in attendance. 

Pillar, who is now 82, recovers from a recent hospitalization, while the former King, 81, was at a friend's residence, in Florida, at the time. However, both of her siblings were represented by their children (except King Felipe VI), celebrating their aunt's milestone.

Infanta Margarita was born on 6 March 1939 in Rome, the younger daughter of Don Juan of Bourbon & Maria Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (later Count & Countess of Barcelona), then claimants to the abolished Spanish throne. She also had a younger brother, Infante Alfonso (born in 1941), who was tragically killed by his elder brother in a gun accident in 1956. His death was a shock for the family, but forced Margarita to become more emancipated.

With her parents & siblings, when they were young

Her blindness was discovered when she was two months old, and after four years of efforts to cure her & even a pilgrimage to the Virgin of Fatima by her mother, it was found out that she will never be ever able to see. This though didn't stop her from having an active childhood and developing various interests and skills.

Margarita evolved her passion in music by playing piano, and hearding classical (& later rock) compositions. Over the years she began to hear various artists, including: Miguel Ríos, El Canto del Loco, Ricky Martin & Bon Jovi, and even visiting night clubs (something very radical for a Princess of her time,) earning the nickname of la Infanta Rockera (the ~'Rocker Princess')!

She also has been a charismatic linguist and from early on spoke fluently in about 10 languages! Following an education within a special group for blind people, the Infanta moved to Spain in 1956, and begun working in a children's nursery care & teaching english.

Margarita found the love of her life at a party; he was Carlos Zurita y Delgado, a physician & medical professor, 5 years her jounior. Their relationship was kept secret for some time, with a modest wedding without royal pomp on October 12, 1972. Together they went on to have two children: Alfonso and Maria, and just last year, a grandson, Carlos (from their daughter, born through in vitro fertilization). They are still married with her husband assisting her.

Margarita & Carlos Zurita with their children in ~1980s

Following the restoration of Spanish monarchy in 1975, Margarita's surviving brother, Don Juan Carlos assumed the throne, while she and her husband became members of the extended royal family.

However, she gave up her rights of succession upon her marriage, & thus neither herself, nor her children can succeed the throne.

But neverthenless she and her husband (as her male-consort) were given some noble titles. According to the will of a deceased cousin she inherited in 1979 the Duchy of Hernari (becoming its second Duchess), while in 1981, her Sovereign brother created her Duchess of Soria (a Spanish city), with her husband receiving the same male titles, as well (Duke of Soria and Hernari). Infanta Margarita's Ducal names are accompanied by the noble title of Grandee of Spain. She is additionally a honorary president of Madrid's UNICEF' delegation & supports some other charities.

With her husband in their younger years

Additional links of information (most in Spanish):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infanta_Margarita,_Duchess_of_Soria

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Zurita,_Duke_of_Soria

https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2018-04-30/maria-zurita-embarazo-primer-hijo-prematuro-fecundacion_1557076/

https://www.revistavanityfair.es/realeza/articulos/infanta-margarita-ciega-hermana-juan-carlos-peregrino-a-fatima-para-curar-sus-dulces-ojitos/36773

https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/20190306138524/infanta-margarita-comida-familiar-cumpleanos/

https://www.bekia.es/realeza/noticias/margarita-borbon-hermana-desconocida-rebelde-rey-juan-carlos/

https://look.okdiario.com/casa-real/motivo-planton-rey-juan-carlos-margarita-636462

https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/galeria/20190306138535/infanta-margarita-80-cumpleanos-fiesta/1/.