Queen Sofia of Spain breaks down in tears during emotional speech amid savage royal snub

Lora-Tamayo was named honorary rector for life by the Camilo José Cela University in Madrid.

The 84-year-old Queen became quite emotional during her tribute to the university professor, said to be a close friend of Sofia's.

Lora-Tamayo, 73, must use an oxygen mask and a wheelchair due to his poor health.

The university professor held hands with Queen Sofia as they left the event together.

Although not confirmed, Sofia's emotional outburst could be due to not being invited to Princess Leonor's swearing-in ceremony, which is due to take place tomorrow.

The soon-to-be 18-year-old princess will be the future Queen of Spain, and she appears to have a close friendship with her grandmother.

Queen Sofia will not accompany Felipe or his wife Queen Letizia on this historic occasion "so as not to make distinctions with Juan Carlos I", sources in Zarzuela Palace told the Spanish newspaper El País.

Juan Carlos I, who reigned between 1975 and 2014, was a controversial monarch who abdicated in favour of King Felipe.

Queen Sofia's husband lives in exile in the United Arab Emirates, however, he is expected to attend the private family celebrations after the event along with his wife.

Palace sources said the "solution was closed by mutual agreement from the first moment" between Juan Carlos and Felipe.

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Princess Leonor, who turns 18 on Tuesday, has been thrust into the spotlight as Spain's next monarch.

She recently graduated from UWC Atlantic in Wales, where she was studying for the International Baccalaureate.

Leonor then embarked on military training at Zaragoza, which she will complete over the next three years.