King Felipe VI of Spain has bestowed the noble title of Marquis upon tennis legend Rafa Nadal.

Nadal will hold the title Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca, the island where he was born and lives. The title is hereditary and can thus be inherited by his descendants.

Today, as far as I’m aware, only a few European monarchies continue to ennoble individuals—namely the United Kingdom, Spain, and Belgium (as well as the Vatican, although seldom nowadays)—with Spain and Belgium being the only ones to still grant hereditary titles.

Source: Reuters

Photo: brett marlow, Wikimedia