Ahead of the official visit of Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg to the Kingdom of Spain on March 5, 2026, His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain has conferred high distinctions of the Orden de Isabel la Católica upon the Grand Ducal couple by Royal Decree.

Under Royal Decree 176/2026, His Majesty granted the Collar de la Orden de Isabel la Católica to His Royal Highness Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg.

According to the Boletín Oficial del Estado, the official state gazette of Spain, the decree reads:

“Wishing to give proof of My Royal esteem to His Royal Highness Guillaume V, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, upon the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and following deliberation by the Council of Ministers at its meeting of March 3, 2026, I hereby grant him the Collar de la Orden de Isabel la Católica.”

By Royal Decree 177/2026, His Majesty conferred the Gran Cruz de la Orden de Isabel la Católica upon Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg. The decree states:

“Wishing to give proof of My Royal esteem to Her Royal Highness Stéphanie de Lannoy, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, upon the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and following deliberation by the Council of Ministers at its meeting of March 3, 2026, I hereby grant her the Gran Cruz de la Orden de Isabel la Católica.”

The Orden de Isabel la Católica was instituted on March 14, 1815, by Fernando VII of Spain under the original name Real Orden Americana de Isabel la Católica. It is currently governed by Royal Decree 2395/1998 of November 6, which approves its regulations.

The Order is intended to “reward extraordinary acts of a civil nature carried out by Spanish and foreign individuals that benefit the Nation or contribute, in a relevant manner, to fostering relations of friendship and cooperation between the Spanish Nation and the international community.”

His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain serves as Grand Master of the Orden de Isabel la Católica, and all decorations are conferred in his name.

The official incoming visit takes place in the context of Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg’s accession to the throne on October 3, 2025, following the abdication of his father, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, and forms part of the established diplomatic engagement between the Kingdom of Spain and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.