In the life of Queen Sofía, a great admirer of classical music, there were few people she could trust unconditionally. One of them was cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Their friendship, which began in the queen’s childhood, spanned decades and became a vital source of support during her most difficult times, especially when her marriage to King Juan Carlos began to fracture.
The future queen’s acquaintance with the Russian musician came about thanks to her family. Rostropovich was a friend of her parents, a connection that lasted a lifetime. He frequently performed in Spain, with one of the most memorable occasions being a concert in 2003 dedicated to Doña Sofía’s 65th birthday. When the maestro passed away in 2007, the queen personally attended his funeral in Moscow and participated in several memorial events in Spain. Rostropovich was an iconic figure for the country, receiving the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award in 1997.
Like any close relationship involving a public figure, Sofía and Rostropovich’s friendship sparked rumors. However, they were solely united by their passion for music—a love instilled in the queen by her mother, Queen Frederica, who introduced her daughter to the era’s outstanding musicians. Rostropovich, who was fifteen years Sofía’s senior and happily married to soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, was no exception. He fell in love with Spain after Sofía and Juan Carlos’s wedding in the early 1960s, and always spoke warmly of the country, admiring its transition to democracy.
The musician played an unseen role in many significant events in the life of the royal family. For example, he performed at the Royal Theatre in November 2003, marking the first public appearance of the Prince of Asturias, Felipe, and his fiancée, Letizia Ortiz, after their engagement was announced. Every year, King Juan Carlos would give his wife the gift of a cellist’s performance for her birthday, often arranging it as a surprise. These evenings would frequently end in standing ovations and the entire hall singing ‘Happy Birthday.’
His performances spanned Spain, from the National Auditorium in Madrid to the Palau de la Música in Valencia, where he received his first Spanish medal in 1997. Doña Sofía often accompanied him to concerts, both in Spain and abroad. She was by his side in Moscow in 2005 for the musician’s golden wedding celebration, and in 1990, when he made a triumphant return to Russia after 16 years in exile.
Rostropovich always emphasized that the Spanish monarchs provided invaluable support during the most difficult time of his life—his forced emigration from the Soviet Union. He also expressed great respect for King Juan Carlos, admiring his wisdom, broad outlook, and ability to combine simplicity with dignity and responsibility. The musician also shared close ties with Paloma O’Shea, president of the Albéniz Foundation, with whom he collaborated at the Reina Sofía School of Music.
When the cellist passed away, Queen Sofía made a private trip to Moscow to say farewell to her friend. Accompanied by her sister, Princess Irene of Greece, she offered condolences to the musician’s widow and stayed with the family until the casket was transferred to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour for the funeral service. This friendship was a rare exception for Spain’s reserved monarchy, which is not accustomed to publicizing personal relationships. The warm bond continued into the next generation — Prince Felipe and the Infantas Elena and Cristina. For Queen Sofía herself, her old friend became a confidant who helped her get through the loneliness of a marriage that had long since become a mere formality.
