The influential women of Liberal monarchy. Gender and politics in the Spanish and British royal courts, c. 1830-1860

ABSTRACT This article shows how women, thanks to their courtly positions, could continue exerting some political power in the time of their exclusion of formal politics resulting from the Liberal, constitutional system. Their close and intimate contact with a queen regnant as Isabel II provided them a decisive role in this tug-of-war between political pressure groups and alliances. Likewise, we employ a comparative perspective with a contemporary ruling woman as Queen Victoria, the epitome of idealized transition to a parliamentary monarchy and a specific courtly system. Among their extensive staff, our attention will focus on the two principal figures: the Camarera Mayor – equivalent to the Mistress of the Robe – and the Damas de la Reina – who held positions and had duties similar to those of the Ladies of the Bedchamber–. By studying an extensive archival and press documentation, we defend the importance of the court as an informal and alternative place of participation of these women in politics.