Infanta Sofia is progressing slowly but surely. Following her first solo appearance in December 2024—when she presented the Heritage Awards at the Royal Collections Gallery without her parents or Leonor—she now has her second solo engagement.
On January 30th, she will visit the ONCE Foundation’s Guide Dog Breeding and Training Center in Boadilla del Monte to see the new facilities.
It’s a low-profile event—no red carpet, no big speeches—but it says a lot about the kind of agenda they’re putting together for her. Social causes, recognized projects, and events where she can shine without excessive pressure. The classic formula for preparing a young royal.
The connection to her grandmother
ONCE and guide dogs have been associated with Queen Sofia, her grandmother, for decades. The emeritus has visited similar facilities, participated in anniversaries, and publicly promoted these programs for years.
It’s no coincidence that her granddaughter is now continuing that tradition. It represents institutional continuity, a nod to how the causes of one generation are passed on to the next without losing their significance or relevance.
The connection between Sofia and her grandmother became very clear recently with the death of Irene of Greece. Both she and Leonor were by Doña Sofía’s side during the farewell in Madrid and later at the funeral in Athens, providing visible support during a very difficult time.
That family closeness now translates into a shared agenda. Infanta Sofía not only inherits the institutional role, but also the causes her grandmother championed for decades. It’s a way to keep that social work alive, but with a new face.
Solo events aren’t for show; they’re for gaining experience, understanding the field, and starting to build your own profile within the institution.
Zarzuela is not in a hurry, but she is not being sidelined either. They are carefully managing her schedule, selecting events where she can learn without being overly exposed, and the Infanta is prepared to take on more responsibilities.