Who was Ignacio Sánchez Mejías?
15 de January de 2026
The selection of Victoria Federica de Marichalar y Borbón as the face of the 2025 San Isidro Fair has rekindled the historic connection between the Spanish monarchy and bullfighting. Dressed in a traditional bullfighter’s suit, the granddaughter of King Juan Carlos I pays homage to a family tradition that spans centuries. However, this decision has sparked controversy among enthusiasts, dividing opinions on the appropriateness of her prominence on the poster of the world’s most emblematic bullfighting festival.
Bullfighting and the Spanish monarchy have always gone hand in hand, like two horses hitched to the same carriage, solemnly traversing the paths of history with steadfast resilience. It is no coincidence, then, that Victoria Federica de Marichalar y Borbón becomes the face of the 2025 San Isidro Fair. Clad in a traditional bullfighter’s suit, with her montera firmly in place, the granddaughter of the emeritus king seems eager to remind the world that she carries more than just noble titles and tabloid appearances in her blood: she also bears the heritage of Spain’s bullfighting culture, lineage, and the bullring.
To understand the significance of this poster, one must look back in time. The Spanish Royal House has historically been a stronghold of bullfighting. Carlos IV presided over bullfights in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor, and Fernando VII elevated the fiesta to a national expression. Isabel II, in her effort to restore the crown’s grandeur, did not hesitate to associate with celebrated bullfighters like Francisco Montes “Paquiro.” And let’s not forget Alfonso XIII, who was not only a regular at the bullrings but also forged a legendary friendship with bullfighter Juan Belmonte.
But if there is one Bourbon who embodied a passion for bullfighting, it was Juan Carlos I. His visits to Las Ventas, his close relationships with figures like Paco Camino and José María Manzanares, and the fervent enthusiasm he shared with his daughter, Infanta Elena, are evidence that bullfighting was more than just entertainment for the royal family: it was a symbol of their connection with the people. It’s no surprise that Victoria Federica, heir to this tradition, proudly proclaims that her grandfather would be delighted with this poster.
However, what some see as a legitimate manifestation of her lineage, others view as an intrusion. The choice of King Felipe VI’s niece as the image of the San Isidro Fair has stirred up dust among the more purist sectors of the bullfighting world. Should the image of the most important fair in the bullfighting world rest on a person who is not a bullfighter? Is this a maneuver to revitalize bullfighting by attracting new generations through a media figure? Or, worse yet, is it simply an act of nepotism that overshadows the true protagonists of the bullfighting festival?
Reactions on social media have been swift. While some celebrate Victoria Federica’s presence as a breath of fresh air and a way to keep the bullfighting tradition alive in the public sphere, others see it as a trivialization of the San Isidro Fair. “Mixing bulls with after-parties, we didn’t see that coming,” says one user sarcastically, alluding to the young woman’s more media-centric side. In response, the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, defended her selection with words that appeal to emotion and memory: “She combines youth, fashion, and passion for the fiesta and for Spain. Let me tell you that your grandfather is greatly missed in this bullring, and he is very much loved in Madrid.”
Beyond the controversy, Victoria Federica’s presence on this poster is a reminder that the monarchy and bullfighting continue to be intertwined in a dance that has survived the ravages of time. The San Isidro Fair is the Olympus of bullfighting, Las Ventas its temple, and the bullfighters its gladiators. But in this 2025, the banner also bears the Bourbon coat of arms.
Victoria Federica’s poster can be seen in many ways: as a tribute to her grandfather, as a symbol of the fusion between tradition and modernity, or as a whim of the organizers to attract a new audience. What is undeniable is that the monarchy and bullfighting, together or separately, continue to stir passions. And in Spain, few things are more eternal than that.
Bullfighting Journalist
