A look back at Princess Leonor’s big year

After two years of studying in Wales, Leonor graduated from UWC Atlantic in May. As she collected her diploma on stage, a teacher said, “Leonor, your love of meaningful conversations knows no bounds. Your unwavering passion for learning, understanding people, and exploring diverse perspectives has truly enriched your UWC experience. We will miss your humor.”

The King and Queen’s eldest child arrived at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza on Aug. 17 to begin her first year of military training.

“After completing secondary education, it is necessary to consider the next formative stage of the Princess, taking into account her responsibilities, first as Heiress to the Crown and, later, as future Queen of Spain,” Casa de S.M. el Rey announced in March. “The Princess of Asturias will start higher education next academic year 2023-2024. To this end, it is established that in this period both her military training –in the broader framework of her military career– and her university training to achieve a degree and, in her case, a postgraduate degree, converge.”

Leonor was pictured in her uniform on her first day at the military academy on Aug. 18. Prior to beginning her military training, Leonor said at the 2023 Princess of Girona Foundation Awards that she was happy to start this “new stage” because “I know how much the Spanish value our Armed Forces.”

The Princess of Asturias pledged her allegiance to the Spanish flag on Oct. 7 at the Zaragoza Military Academy.

In a speech at the ceremony, proud dad King Felipe said, “38 years have passed, and I think about what I felt then and what it means to me to preside - together with the Queen and with pride - the swearing-in of our daughter, the Princess of Asturias. It’s very exciting; and it is of great significance to see how today the Princess continues that oath with a new class of cadets. Feelings that we share with everyone here and with the great military family.”

Leonor was dressed in military uniform for the first time at this year’s National Day celebration, during which she took part in the salute for the first time.

The future monarch turned 18 on Oct. 31.

On her milestone birthday, Leonor swore an oath to the Spanish constitution in front of the Cortes Generales. She said, “I swear to faithfully carry out my duties, to uphold and ensure that the Constitution and the laws are upheld, to respect the rights of citizens and the Autonomous Communities, as well as loyalty to the King,.”

King Felipe presented his daughter with the Collar de la Real y Distinguida Orden Española de Carlos III (The Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III) on her 18th birthday.

“I owe myself from today to all Spaniards, whom I will serve at all times with respect and loyalty,” Princess Leonor said in a speech after receiving it. “There is no greater pride. On this important day - which I will always remember with emotion - I ask you to trust me, as I have placed all my trust in our future, in the future of Spain.”