Prince Harry Awarded Order of Isabella the Catholic Following Spanish State Visit

In 2017, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, was appointed to the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Orden de Isabel la Católica), a Spanish civil honour granted by the Government of Spain. The award is given to individuals, including foreign nationals, in recognition of services that benefit Spain or contribute to strengthening international relations. The honour was linked to Prince Harry’s role during the Spanish State Visit to the United Kingdom in July 2017, when King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain were hosted by the British Royal Family. During the visit, senior members of the Royal Family, including Prince Harry, took part in official events and engagements designed to reinforce diplomatic ties between the two countries. Prince Harry was among several royals recognized with the distinction. Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York, were also appointed to the order for their involvement in the state visit. The Order of Isabella the Catholic includes several ranks, and observers noted that recipients, including Prince Harry, were seen wearing the star of the order without a sash, which is typically associated with the rank of Commander by Number (Encomienda de Número), though official confirmation of the specific grade was not publicly detailed. The appointment reflected diplomatic recognition of participation in state-level engagements and highlighted the role of the Royal Family in supporting international relations through ceremonial and official duties.