Spain’s King has made tennis star Rafael Nadal a marquess as he bestowed the first noble titles of his reign on Thursday.
The former Spanish number one’s new title as the 1st Marquess of Llevant de Mallorca will eventually be passed down to his two-year-old son Rafael Jr.
Nadal, 39, was joined by swimmer Teresa Perales and singer Luz Casal who also received titles from King Felipe VI.
He has won 22 Grand Slam singles tennis titles and was granted the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports in 2008.
‘Their respective careers are exponents of excellence, whether in the service of the Crown or in the field of thought, culture, science, arts and sport,’ the royal household said.
Only one of the six new titles holds the distinction of grandee – the highest rank.
It was bestowed upon Jaime Alfonsín, who was King Felipe’s right-hand man for nearly 30 years.
Paralympic swimmer Teresa Perales was give the hereditary title of Marchioness of Perales, which will be passed down to her only son Mariano Menor Jr.
The ceremony came as celebrations were wrapping up to mark 10 years since Felipe took the throne.
No other Spanish kings have ever taken as long as Felipe VI to grant titles of nobility.
His father, Juan Carlos, granted 55 noble titles, with the first going to dictator Francisco Franco’s widow Carmen Polo, who became Duchess of Franco and Lady of Meirás, Grandee of Spain.
That title and four others were revoked by the government as part of a law to remove symbols of the dictatorship.
Vicente del Bosque was also made a marquis by Juan Carlos after he led Spain to victory in the 2010 World Cup.
Until now, King Felipe had only confirmed the succession of more than 2,600 existing titles.
He also revoked his sister Infanta Cristina’s title of the Duchy of Palma just a week before his first anniversary as head of state.
It was part of his efforts to restore the Crown’s reputation and distance it from corruption scandals after Cristina was accused of being an accessory to tax fraud committed by her husband.
