On October 11, 2006, Maestro Angel Gil-Ordóñez was awarded the
Order of Queen Isabella the Catholic by H.M. King Juan Carlos of Spain. 
His Excellency, Carlos Westendorp, Ambassador of Spain, seen in the
picture with Mrs. Westendorp, presented the medal at a ceremony in
his residence in Washington. 

The Royal American Order of Queen Isabella the Catholic was instituted
by King Ferdinand VII in 1815, to recognize extraordinary civic
accomplishments of Spanish citizens contributing to friendship
and cooperation between Spain and the international community.