On October 4, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain held an audience with board members from the Asociación Hispania Nostra (AHN) at Palacio Real de El Pardo in Madrid.  The purpose of the AHN, “… is to protect, safeguard and enhance Spanish Cultural Heritage and its environment, in the field of civil society…”

Afterward, Her Majesty presided over the Unión Europea de Patrimonio Cultural/Europa Nostra 2011 and 2012 award ceremony:

“These awards are given annually to recognize and encourage best practice in the conservation of cultural heritage in Spain, stimulate the exchange of knowledge and experiences among all European countries, increase knowledge and appreciation of European cultural heritage exemplify similar initiatives.”