Luis Polo de Bernabé Pilón

Luis Polo de Bernabé y Pilón (14 October 1854 – 18 March 1929) was a Spanish diplomat.

Early life Polo de Bernabé was born on 14 October 1854 in London. He was a son of Carolina Pilón y Sterling and Rear Admiral José Polo de Bernabé y Mordella (1821–1895).

Career Polo de Bernabé began his diplomatic career in Washington, D.C. as an attaché to the Embassy, which was led at the time by his father. Upon his father's retirement in 1875, he was promoted to Third Secretary, in which he served for six years. He arrived in the United States on 9 March 1898 aboard the Kaiser Wilhelm II, taking charge of the embassy. Polo was unable to make up for the actions of his predecessor, Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, before the declaration of war against Spain's Sagasta administration by President William McKinley. After receiving the declaration of war from U.S. Secretary of State John Sherman, he "immediately replied that the resolution was of such a nature that his continuance in Washington became impossible. He asked for his passports and stated that the protection of Spanish interests would be intrusted to the French Ambassador and the Austro-Hungarian Minister. His passports were sent to him; and he was at the same time informed that arrangements had been made for a guard to attend him during his presence in the territory of the United States."

Ambassador to Portugal and Italy After a mission in Lisbon in 1899, he was sent by the Maura government to the Quirinal Palace as the Spanish Ambassador to Italy on 21 July 1904. He stayed in Rome until 20 March 1905 when he left his post to return to Portugal as the Ambassador in Lisbon. His return to Lisbon was, however, short-lived.

Ambassador to the United Kingdom In 1905, he was transferred to London as the Ambassador to the United Kingdom. He also attended the wedding on 31 May 1906 at the Church of Saint Jerome the Royal in Madrid.

Ambassador to the German Empire In 1906, he was again transferred, this time to what was considered the most important position for any diplomat, as Ambassador to the German Empire. On 7 September 1906, Polo de Bernabé presented his credentials to Emperor Wilhelm II. (As Ambassador to the German Empire, he diplomatically represented Spain to the Kings of Bavaria, Saxony, Württemberg and the Grand Dukes of Baden and Mecklenburg-Strelitz, among other States that constitute the German Empire.) Upon his return to Spain, he retired from the diplomatic service.

Honours and awards He was awarded a Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III, Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle. He was also awarded the Order of the Bath and Victoria of England of the Order of Christ of Portugal and many others.