A history-making change is coming to the Spanish royal family's household

The Spanish royal household marked a significant milestone in its history with the appointment of a woman as the head of the Queen's Secretariat, a role traditionally held by men.

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Queen Letizia has hired a new secretary, with the future employee, María Dolores Ocaña Madrid, a state lawyer, confirming the news.

Madrid, 51, currently works as the Chief State Attorney at the Ministry of Education but is set to replace José Manuel Zuleta, Duke of Abrantes, who has been secretary for the past decade.

Her new role as head of the Queen's Secretariat will officially commence on April 10th, and Zuleta will leave the office after 20 years.

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Zuleta, 63, is the son of José Manuel de Zuleta de Reales y Carvajal, 13th Duke of Abrantes and Virginia Alejandro y García. In 1979, he joined the General Military Academy, then graduated as a lieutenant in 1984.

One decade later, in the mid-'90s, he began working at the royal household. In 2007, he joined Prince Felipe's office and assisted Princess Letizia.

When Felipe and Letizia ascended to the throne in 2014, Zuleta was appointed to Letizia's Secretariat, a position he has held with distinction for the past seven years.

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This shift follows a significant departure from the royal office after Jaime Alfonsín left his position as King Felipe's long-time private secretary after 30 years.

In a year of changes, King Felipe and Queen Letizia will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary on May 22nd and the tenth anniversary of Felipe's accession to the throne will be marked on June 19th.

The pair share daughters Princess Leonor, 18, who is currently undergoing military training and Infanta Sofia, 16, who is studying for her International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales.

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