This was the night when the queen of Spain’s cape was stolen in Buenos Aires and an international scandal was generated

From the March 24, 1976the climate in Argentina changed completely. After the coup d’état by the Military Juntathe citizens’ uncertainty predominated, while disappearance and torture plans were carried out in the dark.

At the same time, finding true information about the facts was like water in the desert. All the national media were aligned with the de facto government, and those that were not operated under the influence of senior military officials. However, From Europe the chilling methods of the Armed Forces to establish their power were known.

This is how the year arrived 1978convulsed by the World that Argentina organized, but also for other events. Among them, the visit of the Kings of Spainwhich caused a fury in the town. In any case, more than 10,000 km away, many feared that the royal trip to Argentine lands could give Juan Carlos and Sofía a bad image, since they would be seen in images, full of joy, next to Jorge Videla, Eduardo Massera and Ramón Agosti.

Despite complaints of human rights violations and the fact that many of the world’s political leaders avoided traveling here, The royal couple landed in Ezeiza, although they did avoid any hug with uniformed men.

The tour was marked by many events: visit to the Cabildo; roast in San Antonio de Areco; tribute in Plaza San Martín; appointment of Honoris Causa Doctor at the UBA; meetings between Juan Carlos and members of the Military Junta; Copa Libertadores final in La Bombonera; and evening at El Viejo Almacén with music by Edmundo Rivero.

What was the theft of the Queen of Spain’s cape like?

But The central event was in the Deliberative Council of the City of Buenos Aireswhere the Kings would receive the keys to the city and then there would be a exclusive gala dinner. Those present, main figures of the National Reorganization Process with their partners, businessmen, ambassadors and members of Buenos Aires high society.

After Videla’s scripted speech and the King’s measured words, they proceeded to continue with the celebration of the Monday, November 27. The 25 degrees that night forced Queen Sofía to take off her red silk capewho was escorted to the cloakroom.

It was 2 in the morning, and the kings were going to rest. Sofia asked for her cape to be able to say goodbye to the guests, although she was informed of a small detail; his red cape had disappeared.

The Deliberative Council went crazy, and no one knew how to solve this problem. In the midst of chaos, the name Julia Sundblad by Beccar Varela came to light. What started as a rumor ended up being information, since it was indeed she who had obtained the royal robe. She was a lady from high society, married to Dr. Cosme Beccar Varela, leader of Tradition, Family and Property.

Beccar Varela’s Sundblad was contacted at her home in Zona Norte, where He assured that it was a confusion and that he thought the Queen had given it to him. The presidential guard arrived at the house in less than 25 minutes, and at 4 in the morning the bell of the Spanish embassy rang. Outside, a soldier who came to leave his cape.

How was the relationship between Argentina and Spain after the robbery?

Sofia reacted elegantly and with humor. He gave Julia a watch he had gotten at an antique store, with a note at the bottom that said: “Since you wanted to have a memory of me, please receive this present.”

Following the incident, local lawyer Alberto Coronel reported it as theft before the courts, so the Supreme Court of Justice had to intervene. In any case, the fact did not escalate further, and On November 30, the royal couple returned to their lands, with the red silk cape.