Military training has long been a fundamental rite of passage for members of the Spanish royal family, a tradition that underscores the close relationship between the monarchy and the country’s armed forces.
In this context, Princess Leonor, heir to the throne, is no exception.
Her entry into the San Gregorio National Training Center marks a crucial stage in her preparation for future official roles and responsibilities as a monarch.
A royal tradition of military training
This focus on military training reflects not only the importance of discipline and leadership in the education of a future monarch, but also the royal family’s intention to remain closely linked to key national institutions.
Princess Eleanor’s experience at St. Gregory’s is a testament to her commitment to this tradition and her readiness to take on the responsibilities that await her.
An emotional encounter at St. Gregory’s
In the midst of this environment of rigorous training, the recent visit of King Felipe VI to Princess Leonor at the San Gregorio National Training Center was an event full of emotion and parental pride.
Last Friday, March 15, the monarch took advantage of his stay at the nearby ski resort of Formigal to detour and meet with the Princess of Asturias, immersed in the demanding military maneuvers.
King Felipe joins students at the academy.
The Royal Household shared a set of unpublished images that captured the highlights of this family reunion.
In them, we could see Leonor, 18, acting as a perfect hostess for her father, who was wearing an Army uniform.
With evident pride, King Felipe attentively watched his daughter’s every move, immersed in the demands of the academy’s activities.
Sharing a moment of normalcy
But the visit was not limited to watching from a distance.
After the maneuvers, father and daughter shared a meal during which the monarch had the opportunity to meet Leonor’s classmates up close.
Despite the royal presence, the cadets’ routine was not altered.
As one more, King Felipe sat next to his daughter in the dining room, taking an interest in the state of the youngsters and exchanging impressions with Leonor.
What did Princess Leonor and King Felipe have for lunch?
The images released by the Royal Household also revealed the menu enjoyed by father and daughter: a rich seafood paella as the main course, accompanied by hake loin in green sauce.
For dessert, everyone enjoyed a fresh pear, along with traditional bread and water.
A complete and nutritious menu, designed to cope with the intense days of training.
Despite their royal status, the experience shared by Felipe and Leonor at the San Gregorio National Training Center was a sample of the normality and closeness that characterize the Spanish royal family.
This meeting allowed the king to witness firsthand the hard work and dedication of his daughter in her military training, reaffirming the ties between the royal family and the armed forces, and highlighting Princess Leonor’s commitment to her future royal duties.