19.1) Queen of Spain: Victoire Eugenie of Battenberg, 1906 to 1931

The history of the Queens of Spain is just as fascinating as that of their male counterparts, as they often played key roles in the unification, diplomacy, and leadership of the nation. From the earliest days of the Spanish monarchy, queens have held great influence, sometimes as consorts, sometimes as regents, and in some cases, as monarchs in their own right.
Queen of Spain
Victoire Eugénie of Battenberg, 1906 to 1931
House of Bourbon-Anjou
Victoire Eugénie of Battenberg, also known as Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg, was born on October 24, 1887, and was Queen consort of Spain from 1906 to 1931 as the wife of King Alfonso XIII. Born into the British royal family, she played a central role in the Spanish monarchy during a period of political and personal upheaval.
Summary of her role from 1906 to 1931:
Marriage and entry into the Spanish royal family (1906):
Victoire-Eugénie is the granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and the daughter of Prince Henry of Battenberg and Princess Beatrice. She married King Alfonso XIII of Spain on 31 May 1906 in Madrid, in a marriage that united the Spanish monarchy with an influential royal family in Europe.
On the day of their wedding, an assassination attempt was committed against the royal couple by an anarchist, Mateo Morral, which marked the beginning of her reign under increasing political tension in Spain.
Role as Queen Consort (1906-1931):
Victoire Eugénie had to adapt to the Spanish court and its traditions, and despite some initial difficulties, she took her role as Queen Consort very seriously, engaging in charitable works and social actions.
Personal life and family difficulties: Their union produced seven children, but the life of the royal couple was marked by many tragedies. Several of their children were born with haemophilia, a hereditary disease passed on by Victoire Eugénie, who was a carrier, which considerably affected the life of the royal family and caused tensions within the couple. King Alfonso XIII is said to have blamed Victoire Eugénie for bringing this disease into the family.
Charity and social commitments: Victoire-Eugénie was involved in charitable works, especially in the fields of health and education. She founded several hospitals and institutions to improve the conditions of women and children in Spain. She also played an important role during the First World War by providing humanitarian aid, although Spain was neutral during this conflict.
Political tensions and end of the monarchy: The reign of Alfonso XIII was marked by constant political instability. In 1923, the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, supported by Alfonso XIII, attempted to maintain the monarchy, but this also weakened popular support for the king. Social and political tensions continued to grow until the fall of the monarchy in 1931, with the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic.
Exile (1931):
When the Republic was proclaimed in 1931, Victoria Eugenia, together with her husband Alfonso XIII, left Spain and went into exile in France, then Italy and Switzerland. She gradually separated from her husband, due to tensions in their personal relationship, exacerbated by political difficulties and Alfonso XIII's extramarital affairs. Their exile was marked by years of disillusionment, although Victoria Eugenia continued to support her children and to be involved in charitable work outside Spain.
Conclusion:
Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg lived a life as a queen marked by personal tragedy and political upheaval. As Queen Consort of Spain, she helped to modernize charitable work and promote the role of the monarchy in Spanish society. However, her position was weakened by family dramas and the fall of the monarchy in 1931, which forced her to leave Spain with her family for a prolonged exile. She remained a prominent figure in early 20th-century Spanish history even after her reign ended.