Isabel II

Elizabeth II of Spain, named “the one with the Sad Fate” or “the Castilian Queen” (Madrid, October 10, 1830-Paris, April 9, 1904), was the queen of Spain between 1833 and 1868 through the repealing of the 1713 Succession Regulation (commonly called the “Salic Law”).
Queen Elizabeth II used to spend her annual bathing season at the Alzola spa, given her dermatological problems. The Lekeitian councilors took advantage of the situation in order to send commissioners who would invite her to honour the town with her presence. The queen accepted the invitation twice.
The first visit occurred in the summer of 1868 and she stayed at the Uribarren Palace, offered to her by its former owner, Eloisa de Gaminde. In order to improve the furniture and crockery for these occasions, the Zubieta Palace was used. Father Claret used to accompany the queen on her journeys, turning his stays into apostolic tours. The Lekeitians called him “The Holy Bishop” (which the church later confirmed). Also accompanying the queen was her son, who was then a child and would later become Alfonso XII.
During Isabel II’s stay, the frigate “Zaragoza” anchored at the bay in front of Uribarren Palace, and the queen greeted them with a visit, accompanied by the Municipal Council and some ministers and deputies. This same ship, with Admiral Topete in charge, was the one which would rebel and overthrow the monarchy on September 19th of the same year. The queen left Lekeitio on September 17th and the capital of Donostia on September 30, heading for exile. It is worth noting the international political importance that the town acquired for having hosted a queen whose dethronement was planned overnight.
The queen’s stay was well taken advantage of by the town councilors, who proposed her first-hand for their resolution and their most urgent needs in matters of local administration and public works.