SPAIN: The Golden Rose

Queen Victoria, ” best dressed woman in Europe,” and granddaughter of the late Queen Victoria of Great Britain, was handed the Golden Rose by Monsignor Tedeschini, Papal Nuncio to the Spanish Court. The ceremony was carried out in the presence of cabinet ministers and members of the diplomatic corps.

Pope Pius XI revivified an ancient custom when he awarded the Golden Rose to the Spanish Queen. In days of old the Popes used to make such awards to the individual who, during the year, performed the most pious deeds for the Church.