Queen Sofía Receives Honorary Doctorate from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
On February 20, 2026, Her Majesty Queen Sofía was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) in a ceremony held at the university’s Paraninfo. The recognition honors her dedication to social and humanitarian initiatives, particularly her unwavering support for the Food Bank.
Recognition of Social and Humanitarian Work
The ULPGC bestowed the Honorary Doctorate upon Queen Sofía in acknowledgment of her long-standing commitment to social, welfare, and humanitarian causes. A key factor in the decision was her consistent and significant support of the Banco de Alimentos (Food Bank), an organization dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity.
Commitment to Culture, Science, and Education
During the investiture ceremony, the Rector of ULPGC highlighted Queen Sofía’s firm commitment to culture, science, and education. He described her as a leading institutional figure with intellectual, ethical, and social merit, aligning with the values of a contemporary university. The Rector emphasized that a university’s role extends beyond knowledge creation to include its guidance, questioning, and application for the benefit of society, and that Queen Sofía’s trajectory exemplifies this commitment.
Attendees at the Ceremony
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures from the Canary Islands, including Astrid Pérez, President of the Parliament of the Canary Islands; Migdalia Machín, Minister of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture; Anselmo Pestana, Government Delegate; Antonio Morales, President of the Gran Canaria Cabildo; and Carolina Darias, Mayor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Proposal and Advocacy
Professor Goretti García of the ULPGC’s Department of Modern Philology, Translation and Interpretation, served as the sponsor of the nomination. Professor García has a strong connection to the work of the Food Bank and highlighted Queen Sofía’s intellectual and humanistic curiosity.
Second Recognition in the Canary Islands
This Honorary Doctorate marks the second recent recognition for Queen Sofía in the Canary Islands, further demonstrating the region’s appreciation for her contributions.