After almost six months at sea, Princess Leonor will bid farewell to the training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano. According to psychologist Lara Ferreiro, her return to land will not only be physical but also emotional.
In her analysis for the Spanish website Semana, the psychologist said that the heir to the throne could go through a process of adaptation that includes several stages, from the initial impact to eventual integration into life on dry land.
The emotional impact on Princess Leonor
Ferreiro explains that this transition can unfold in four phases.
First, an emotional shock at leaving maritime life behind. Then, a stage of sadness and idealization of the experience on board. As time goes by, there will be a moment of learning, followed by a phase of adaptation that could last between three weeks and three months.
The psychologist mentions that it is not uncommon to experience the so-called “lost fish syndrome,” a feeling of disorientation upon leaving the marine environment.
In addition to the emotional aspect, the return can involve physical symptoms. Some people, especially women, may feel dizzy, fatigued, or anxious when they set foot on land after a long period at sea.
Ferreiro suggests that these reactions may also be accompanied by emotional distress if the family environment does not offer support.
For the expert, the absence of any member of the Royal Family to welcome Leonor in New York may have reinforced a possible feeling of isolation.
Despite these challenges, the psychologist views the experience aboard the ship positively. She describes it as a process of personal transformation on her path to the throne.