Next October 31, Princess Leonor will star in a historic moment for the Spanish monarchy when she takes the oath of allegiance to the Constitution on her 18th birthday, as tradition dictates for the heir or heiress to the throne.
Her father, King Felipe VI, lived that experience exactly 37 years earlier when he became the first prince of Asturias to take the oath of allegiance to the Constitution, on January 30, 1986.
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Video of King Felipe at the age of 17
Images recently recovered from the archive of Televisión Española show a more human and spontaneous side of the then-young Felipe de Borbón in the preparation of his historic oath.
The footage is a fake of a television message recorded the day before the ceremony when he was 17 years old.
The video shows a nervous prince who has to repeat his speech several times due to small mistakes and verbal hitches.
“No, it’s just that I said oath, and not my oath,” he is heard correcting himself at one point.
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In another shot, he says: “I saw that the light has changed and I got lost,” and laughs.
He also stops the recording because he is not satisfied with how he pronounces the word “salutation” and rehearses the articulation of the letter ‘s’ several times, demonstrating his perfectionism and great commitment despite his young age.
Finally, the following day he managed to deliver a solid and heartfelt speech before the political representatives to swear allegiance to the Spanish Constitution, a fundamental step to consolidate his position as heir to the throne.
Princess Leonor’s Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution
Now, as a father, it is his turn to accompany Leonor in her preparation for an act of enormous importance for the Crown.
The princess is expected to have received advice from Felipe VI on how to handle the pressure of this moment.
In the preparations, the tapestries and special stands have already been installed in the Congress of Deputies where Leonor will star in the protocol act.
She will have the presence of her parents, Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI, as well as her younger sister, demonstrating the family support.
After swearing the Magna Carta and signing the act together with the presidents of the Congress and the Senate, she will address the political representatives for the first time in a speech where she will convey her commitment to democratic values and to Spain.
Undoubtedly, it will be a moment of great visibility for the young heiress, where she will demonstrate her ability to assume real responsibilities.
Spain awaits with pride and excitement the swearing-in of its future queen, Princess Leonor, who is already on her own path in the history of the monarchy.
