The year 2025 has begun in an intense way for Princess Leonor.
After attending the traditional New Year’s Day Military Parade with her parents, the King and Queen of Spain, on January 6, the heir to the throne will embark on an exciting adventure on January 8.
Princess Leonor’s Voyage on the Elcano Ship
Leonor will set sail for Cadiz to begin a six-month voyage on the training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano, emulating her father, King Felipe, and her grandfather, Juan Carlos I, who also lived this experience.
Leonor will be the third generation of the Bourbons to participate in this training cruise.
On Wednesday, January 8, along with the rest of the midshipmen, the Princess of Asturias will embark on the Elcano.
For two days, she will get to know what will be her home for half a year and will receive instructions on how to face the challenges of the sea.
“The participation of the Princess of Asturias in this cruise underlines the importance that the Crown attaches to military training and knowledge of the institutions of the State. In addition, it represents an opportunity for Leonor to learn first-hand about the work of the Spanish Navy and its contribution to the security and international projection of Spain,” shared the Spanish Royal Household.
During her stay in Cadiz, Leonor will also fulfill some official acts.
When will Princess Leonor set sail?
On January 11, Elcano will set sail for the Canary Islands and will not return to Spain until July 21, 2025.
In this emotional moment of farewell, the Princess, like her companions, will be accompanied by her parents, who will preside over the event both as King and Queen and as parents.
After a family Christmas, their Majesties will once again have an empty house.
On January 7, the Infanta Sofia will return to Wales to continue her International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College, and on January 11, they will say goodbye to Leonor in this journey that will allow her to see half the world.
Leonor’s route
The Elcano’s itinerary includes numerous stops in various ports and countries.
The first stops will be in the Canary Islands, a few days after setting sail. From January 17 to 20, the ship will dock in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and from 21 to 23 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Leonor and her companions will then cross the Atlantic Ocean, arriving in Brazil on February 14, specifically in Salvador de Bahia, where they will remain until February 19.
Afterwards, they will head for Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, where the Elcano will stay from March 5 to 9.
Then, the ship will make two stops in Chile: the first in Punta Arenas, from March 20 to 23; and the second in Valparaiso, from April 4 to 8.
Afterwards, they will arrive in Peru, where they will call at Callao, in Lima, from April 18 to 22, and will continue on to Panama from May 3 to 5.
After crossing the Panama Canal, the ship will arrive in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, where it will stay from May 9 to 14.
Afterwards, the Elcano will head to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where it will dock from May 19 to 24.
The voyage will also allow the Princess to spend a few days in New York, as the ship will stop over from July 5 to 10 before returning to Spain.
Elcano will arrive in Gijón, Spain on July 3, where it will stay until July 7, and then continue to Ferrol from July 9 to 12, and to Marín from July 14 to 17, to finally return to Cádiz on July 21, 2025.