The Infanta Sofia, at 17, is in her second year at the prestigious UWC Atlantic College in Wales, where she is studying for her baccalaureate degree.
Unlike her older sister, Princess Leonor, Sofia has had the opportunity to keep a more discreet profile while concentrating on her studies.
Being in Wales has allowed her to get away from the media spotlight and enjoy a more normal life, away from the institutional responsibilities and constant public attention that her family faces in Spain.
However, this relative tranquility will soon be interrupted. Sofia’s school calendar will mark a break next October, when she will have to bring forward her autumn vacations to attend an event of great relevance: the Princess of Asturias Awards.
Royal engagement and Infanta Sofia’s studies
UWC Atlantic College grants its students a vacation period from October 25 to November 3, during which time they can return home for a well-deserved rest.
However, Sofia will have to be absent from her classes a little earlier, as October 25 coincides with the prestigious Princess of Asturias Awards, a must-attend event for the royal family.
The days before the event, both King Felipe and Queen Letizia and their daughters Leonor and Sofia usually attend a concert in Oviedo, which marks the beginning of the events.
This will be a very special occasion, as Princess Leonor, who has come of age, could preside over the awards for the first time alone. Although until now she has always had the backing of her parents on stage, everything points to the fact that this year Leonor will assume a more leading role, making Sofia’s presence even more significant.
The royal agenda and the family reunion
The concert, the awards ceremony and the visit to the Exemplary Village are part of the activities that the Infanta Sofia will attend with her family during the weekend. This will be the first time they meet again since August, when Sofia started the course in Wales. After fulfilling these commitments, Sofia will be able to enjoy her vacations like the rest of her classmates.
Upon her return to Wales, on November 3, she will resume her studies and prepare for the final stretch of the term, which will culminate in the Christmas vacations, scheduled for December 11.
During this time, the Infanta will be able to spend a few weeks in Zarzuela, with her family, until she must return to school in January, coinciding with Epiphany, to complete her second year of Bachillerato.
Sofia’s first solo act
Despite the fact that the youngest daughter of the King and Queen of Spain keeps a reduced public agenda, she is expected to star in her first solo act.
This will be in the framework of the awards ceremony of the contest “Heritage Objective. Infanta Sofia Photography Contest”, an event that will bear her name and in which, for the first time, she will not be accompanied by her parents or her sister.
With this kind of appearances, Sofia begins to have a more visible role within the royal family, showing little by little her preparation to assume greater responsibilities in the future.