El rey patriota

Alfonso XIII (Madrid 1886-Rome 1941) was one of the most powerful and controversial figures of the Spanish 20th century. His reign changed the country. When he came of age, in 1902, he was presented as the savior of Spain. But three decades later, in 1931, he had to go into exile, swept away by the Republicans and accused of corruption. This book studies his figure from an unprecedented point of view: that of the relationship between the monarchy and national identity. Like other monarchs, he adopted the language of nationalism and a taste for dynastic spectacles. Travel, court parties and massive ceremonies dotted his public image. Charming and thoughtless, he played multiple roles: courageous soldier, modern-day aristocrat, cosmopolitan sportsman and dandy, diplomat or humanitarian prince, leaving no one indifferent. However, Alfonso XIII never accepted a mere symbolic and representative role, but wanted to be a patriotic king, active and committed to the political life of his time. Encouraged by most of the political forces and convinced of his personal harmony with the people, he exercised his constitutional powers to the limit. He evolved from a regenerationist Spanishism, compatible with liberal projects, to counterrevolutionary positions that distrusted Parliament and fused Spain with the Catholic faith. Thus, he did not become an undisputed national emblem, safe from partisan fights, but ended up supporting a military dictatorship that only convinced a part of opinion. His career, as rich as it is exciting, tells us about serious conflicts, about the nation and the monarchy, which still resonate with us.