Alfonso XIII was the King of Spain between 1886 and 1931, and he endorsed the project of holding the Exhibition since its inception in 1909. He backed its approval by the government and, with his efforts and 32 visits until 1930, he promoted the works of the contest and the transformation of the city. His intervention contributed to the realization of the Corta de Tablada, the participation of the United States of America in the Exhibition, the construction of the Barrio de Santa Cruz, the reorganization of the Archive of the Indies, and many other landmarks. 

 

As a tribute to his involvement in the transformation of the city, the Guadalquivir dock, the Iron Bridge, and the Grand Hotel of the Exhibition carry his name. He maintained a very close friendship with Aníbal González Álvarez-Ossorio, Head Architect of the Exhibition from 1911 to 1926.

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