The Real Story of Princess Leonor: Spain’s Future Queen

Discover the real story of Princess Leonor — her military training, historic 18th birthday oath, and path to becoming Spain’s next queen.

Princess Leonor of Spain has spent her entire life preparing for a role few young people will ever understand — that of a future head of state. As the eldest daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, she is the Princess of Asturias and heir presumptive to the Spanish throne. While tabloids often frame her life in dramatic terms, her actual story is one of rigorous preparation, quiet discipline, and a modernizing monarchy.

Born to Lead

Leonor was born on October 31, 2005, in Madrid, becoming second in line to the throne at birth. When her father acceded as king in June 2014, she automatically became heir presumptive, carrying the title Princess of Asturias. Under Spanish succession law, she could only be displaced by a future legitimate son of the king — something that hasn't happened, keeping her firmly on track to become Spain's first reigning queen since the 19th century.

The 18th Birthday That Changed Everything

October 31, 2023 marked a constitutional milestone. On turning 18, Leonor swore an oath to the Spanish constitution in front of the Cortes Generales and was presented with the Collar of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III. It was one of the most closely watched moments of her public life — a formal declaration of loyalty to the country she is set to one day lead, delivered before the full Spanish parliament.

That same year was packed with milestones. She graduated from UWC Atlantic, started her military training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza, and pledged her allegiance to the Spanish flag, all before her 18th birthday celebrations closed out the year.

Military Training: A Break From Ordinary Royal Life

Following in her father's footsteps, Leonor traded palace life for barracks discipline. She entered the General Military Academy in Zaragoza, training alongside ordinary cadets, thirty-eight years after her father King Felipe VI did the same. Her official start date was set for August 17, 2023, at 10am, and she was accompanied to the academy by her father, mother, and younger sister Infanta Sofia. princesa leonor academia militar +2

Her military path follows a strict three-academy rotation. After finishing her bachillerato at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, she began the same military training her father completed over three years. She started at the Zaragoza academy for the 2023/24 year, then moved to the Naval Military School in Marín for 2024/25 — including a voyage aboard the training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano — before finishing at the General Air Academy in San Javier for 2025/26. By the end of the three years, she'll hold the rank of lieutenant in the Army and Air Force, and ensign in the Navy. Princesa Leonor de España Recibirá Formación Militar +2

Her progress has been marked publicly at each stage. In July 2024, King Felipe presided over a ceremony at the Zaragoza academy presenting Leonor with the appointment of cadet second lieutenant of the army, along with the Grand Cross of Military Merit — a moment that ended in a hug between father and daughter, watched closely by Spanish media. hola

Life Under Constant Scrutiny

Because she is a public figure and future monarch, Leonor's life draws intense media attention — from her uniform fittings to her friendships to her every public appearance. Spanish and international outlets frequently speculate about her personal life, though the royal household maintains strict boundaries around her privacy, particularly regarding relationships.

What Comes Next

After her final year at the Air Academy in 2026, Leonor will complete her military formation — training required for her future responsibilities as queen and supreme commander of the armed forces — before continuing on to university studies. Constitutional experts widely expect her to take on a steadily expanding schedule of official duties as she approaches her mid-twenties. vozpopuli

FAQ

How old is Princess Leonor?
Born October 31, 2005, she is Spain's Princess of Asturias and heir presumptive.

Why is Princess Leonor in the military?
Spanish royal tradition requires the heir to complete officer training across all three armed forces branches before taking on full royal duties — the same path her father followed.

Will Princess Leonor become Queen of Spain?
Yes, barring any legitimate son being born to King Felipe VI, Leonor is constitutionally next in line to the throne.

When does Leonor finish her military training?
Her three-academy rotation (Army, Navy, Air Force) concludes in 2026.