Queen Letizia of Spain and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands were reunited on Monday for a bittersweet affair – the memorial service of Prince Kardam to celebrate his life. The late Bulgarian royal, who was the eldest son of Tsar Simeon II and Doña Margarita, passed away at the age of 52 in April.
The moving ceremony was held in Madrid, where Kardam was born and lived with his wife and two sons.
The Bulgarian and Spanish royal families have always maintained a good relationship, so it comes as no surprise that King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia attended the service.
Felipe's parents Juan Carlos I and Sofia were also present.
Back in April the former Spanish queen, who is particularly close to the Bulgarian royals, was one of the first to pay her respects to Kardam's family, just a few hours after he passed away.
The Spanish royals were seen arriving at the San Jeronimo el Real church, where they were joined by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, his wife Máxima and the king's mother Princess Beatrix.
The royals offered their condolences to the late prince's family, with Máxima pictured giving a tender hug to Kardam's widow Miriam.
Both Kardam and Miriam were involved in a serious car accident in August 2008 in Madrid, which eventually contributed to the prince's death. Their vehicle hit a tree and then turned over.
While Miriam was treated for a broken elbow, broken ribs and a collapsed lung and released from hospital a couple of weeks later, her husband Kardam suffered severe brain-skull trauma and injuries to his hands.
He had an operation and was placed in an artificial coma a few days after the accident. Kardam was then discharged to recover at home but in January 2010, he suffered a critical setback and was re-hospitalised. He remained in a coma until his death on 7 April.
Kardam's father Simeon announced the tragic news, writing in a statement: "His death was the result of a pulmonary infection, which was related to the paralysis he suffered for several years following a car accident in 2008 that he never recovered from."
Two days after his death, a special Eastern Orthodox service was held for Kardam at the San Isidro funeral parlour in Madrid, where he is buried.