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Queen Letizia and King Felipe ’s eldest daughter, Princess Leonor , is heading abroad. The 15-year-old royal, who is currently a student at Santa Maria de los Rosales School, is set to begin her studies at the UWC Atlantic College, located in the 12th Century St Donat’s Castle in Wales, United Kingdom. The Spanish Princess will begin her two-year course “between the end of August and the beginning of September.”
The Spanish monarchs announced the news on Wednesday with a statement that read: “Their Majesties the Kings announce that Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias will study the International Baccalaureate program of the United World Colleges (UWC) educational institution at the UWC Atlantic College in Wales, United Kingdom.”
“Princess Leonor has undergone the entire selection process required by the Fundación Comité Español de los Colegios del Mundo Unido (UWC Spain), which consists of an initial pre-selection phase, developed anonymously by each candidate, and a phase final, carried out electronically with different tests,” the Spanish royal household’s statement continued.
Like the other students, Infanta Sofia ’s older sister will reside at one of the school’s boarding houses on campus. The palace noted that the cost of the Princess’ international baccalaureate program “will be paid in its entirety by Their Majesties the Kings with their annual allowance and amounts to the amount of 67,000 pounds sterling.”
The palace added, “The Princess of Asturias will make this period of her education compatible with the progressive development of her institutional commitments in Spain.”
Leonor, who turns 16 in October, is following in the footsteps of another future Queen, Princess Elisabeth of Belgium. Queen Mathilde and King Philippe’s daughter received her International Baccalaureate, which was taught entirely in English, from UWC Atlantic College in Wales. After two years, Elisabeth graduated from the school last May.
Founded in 1962, UWC Atlantic College “was designed to promote international understanding through education,” according to the United World Colleges’ website. “It provides a platform for young individuals to learn through shared experience and be empowered to make a positive difference.”