Spain to keep nobility title honouring dictator Francisco Franco

The Spanish government has decided that it will maintain the title of the Duke of Franco. Its justice minister Rafael Català stated it will not be retracted as long as there are no modifications to the law regarding aristocratic titles. He asserted that it does not generate any privilege but is rather “honorary”, just like any other noble rank.

It is a hereditary title, part of the Spanish nobility, that was created back in 1975 by then king Juan Carlos and given at the time to Carmen Franco (in the picture), the daughter and only child of the dictator General Francisco Franco.

Carmen Franco, after receiving the dukedom, was also bestowed a coat of arms created especially for her new title.

Historical memory

The Spanish Socialists party questioned whether it was appropriate to maintain Franco’s dukedom. Català responded by saying that what he deems appropriate is “complying with the law”.

The justice minister recalled that the title was granted by king Juan Carlos I, reproaching the Socialists who never made any attempt to withdraw noble titles through the historical law when they were in power.

At the end of April, a letter was also sent by Spain’s far-left Izquierda Unida (United Left) to the current king Felipe VI, also calling for the Dukedom of Franco to be removed. They said that it was a violation of the historical memory law in Spain, in the way that it honours the memory of the dictator, who died in 1975, the year the title was created.