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KING JUAN CARLOS

‘The Spanish King didn’t choose his son-in-law’

Spain's effervescent Duchess of Alba is celebrating her 60 years in the role with the publication of a new autobiography in which she describes herself as a monarchist and a Catholic who doesn't believe in divorce.

'The Spanish King didn't choose his son-in-law'
Spain's Duchess of Alba has been married three times but doesn't believe in divorce. Photo: Cristina Quicler
In her new book — her second — the Duchess of Alba, Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart y Silva reveals that the only thing she still wants at her ripe old age is "health" and to "keep on living".
 
In What Life has Taught me (Lo que la vida me ha enseñado), the Duchess tells readers that her motto is "to live and let live".
 
She also says that her tough childhood has meant she has "always wanted to live" her life "without bothering or angering anyone else".
 
The Duchess also declares herself a staunch monarchist, reports news agency EFE.
 
She says that despite difficult times for the Spanish royal family, "the monarchy is fundamental to the continuity of Spain as a nation".
 
The Duchess of Alba also describes Juan Carlos as a "great King".
 
She adds it is unfair that he is being judged for the actions of this son-in-law Iñaki Urdangarin.
 
"It wasn't him (the King) who chose him (Urdgarin)," she stresses.
 
In her book, the Duchess also describes herself "as better wife than mother" and is full of praise for her "loving husband" Alfonso Díez.
 
Part of the Duchess' autobiography is also dedicated to her faith: "I am very Catholic. I believe in marriage and I'm not in favour of divorce".
 
The Duchess herself has been twice widowed .
 
In her book, she looks on a life that "hasn't been easy", with its world war and a civil war.
 
But the "most difficult task"  was the reconstruction of the family Palace of Liria in Madrid, she says.
 
.As a child, the Duchess played with Queen Elizabeth II. She also met Winston Churchill, Jackie Onassis and the Kennedys.
 
The actress Sofía Loren and Audrey Hepburn were also guests at her home in the Liria Palace.
 
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the Duchess of Alba is the most -titled aristocrat in the world.
 
The company says she is a duchess five times over, a marquess 17 times over and 20 times a countress or countess-duchess.
 
She is also a Spanish noble on 14 counts. 

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