José Manuel de Zuleta y Alejandro, 15h Duke of Abrantes

José Manuel de Zuleta y Alejandro, 14th Duke of Abrantes, GE, RMOSH, is a Spanish aristocrat and senior Spanish Army officer who served as Private Secretary to Queen Letizia from 2014 to 2024.

Biography He was born on 8 December 1960, in Melilla, Spain. The son of José Manuel de Zuleta de Reales y Carvajal, 13th duke of Abrantes and Virginia Alejandro y García, he joined the General Military Academy in 1979 and graduated with the rank of lieutenant in 1984.

In the mid-1990s, he started to work in the Royal Household, serving in relevant positions in the Royal Guard, in the King's Military Household and in the Protocol Department.

In 2007, he joined the Household of the Prince of Asturias (Prince' Secretariat), where he assisted the Princess of Asturias, Letizia.

In 2019, he was promoted to the rank of divisional general (OF-7).

Personal life In 1986, he married Ana Pérez de Guzmán y Lizasoain, In 2009, the duke granted his eldest daughter, Ana Luisa, the title of marchioness of Sardoal.

His brother, Felipe de Zuleta y Alejandro, was the riding instructor of the Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo. a title he held until 2009, when he did the same with his eldest daughter, Ana Luisa.

He currently holds the following titles:

14th duke of Abrantes, grandee of Spain. 6th marquess of the Duero, grandee of Spain. 15th marquess of Valdefuentes. 23rd count of Balalcázar. 18th count of Casares. 15th count of Lences. 5th count of Cancelada.

Other honors

Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild (2016). Grand Cross of Military Merit, with White Decoration (2017).