VI INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON NOBILITY

From left: Dr Pier Felice degli Uberti – President of the Confédération Internationale de Généalogie et d’Héraldique (CIGH), Maurizio Gonzaga del Vodice – Italian aristocrat, historian and representative of the Gonzaga family, Dr Maria Loredana Pinotti – President of the International Academy of Genealogy (AIG), Jaime Travesedo y Juliá, Conde de Paredes de Nava – Spanish aristocrat and representative of historic noble families, and Dr Manuel Ladrón de Guevara e Isasa – historian, genealogist and moderator of the congress. Photograph by GHVI.

From 7–9 May 2026, the VI International Congress on Nobility was held in Madrid at the headquarters of the Royal Association of Hidalgos of Spain (Real Asociación de Hidalgos de España). It is the only scientific congress of its kind in the world dedicated to the study of nobility, heraldry, genealogy and aristocratic culture. These congresses are organised every two years and bring together leading researchers, institutional representatives and members of noble families.
The congress was organised by the Real Asociación de Hidalgos de España (founded in 1954), one of the most important Spanish institutions devoted to genealogy, heraldry and the history of nobility. The Association is located in the centre of Madrid, in a representative headquarters where congresses, conferences and academic events are held, and where an important genealogy and heraldry library operates. The current King of Spain, Felipe VI, was a member of the organisation while still Prince of Asturias. In 2011, King Juan Carlos I granted the Association the right to use the honorary title “Real” (“Royal”).
The congress brought together scholars, genealogists, heraldry specialists and representatives of noble organisations from Italy, Spain, San Marino, Hungary, Croatia, Portugal, Lithuania, France and other countries.
Among the participants were Dr Pier Felice degli Uberti, President of the Confédération Internationale de Généalogie et d’Héraldique (CIGH), Dr Maria Loredana Pinotti, President of the International Academy of Genealogy (AIG), Dr Giorgio Cùneo, Secretary-General of CIGH and AIG, as well as numerous Spanish historians, heraldry specialists and representatives of noble organisations.
During the congress, lectures were delivered on the history of nobility, heraldic traditions, genealogical sources, military orders, aristocratic culture and contemporary challenges in the fields of genealogy and heraldry. Particular attention was devoted to the history of the Spanish hidalgos, the development of noble institutions and the preservation of heraldic heritage.
The congress also included official receptions, discussions on future CIGH projects and meetings dedicated to strengthening international cooperation in genealogy and heraldry. The event concluded with a formal gala evening at the prestigious Nuevo Club in Madrid.
In the closing part of the congress, special emphasis was placed on the importance of international academic cooperation, the preservation of historical heritage, and the role of genealogy and heraldry in strengthening cultural identity.