Spanish Women Join the Nobility

They only had to wait a few thousand years, but finally, women in Spain can inherit noble titles. The Guardian reports that a recent change in Spain's law prevents sons with older sisters from claiming the family title. Because the law applies retroactively, some women may be able to claim titles from brothers or uncles who currently hold them. Opponents of the law claim it was passed to suit a few powerful women, including designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, who is claiming the title Marquess of Castelldosrius from an uncle who received it from his elder brother. Opponents also point out that the Spanish monarchy still operates on the principle of male inheritance and charge that the rules should be the same for nobility. Of the nobles fighting the new law, de la Prada said, "They are blinded with rage about this."