The heir to the Spanish throne, 17, Princess Leonor, will follow in her father’s footsteps in her military training.
The young girl will enter the Zaragoza Military Academy for her first year of training, just as King Felipe VI, 55, did more than three decades ago.
Military training
Military training is a tradition in the Spanish royal family and is part of the preparation for assuming the responsibilities as supreme head of the Armed Forces. King Felipe completed three years of military training in the three branches of the army: land, sea and air.
The Princess of Asturias is also expected to undergo two more years of training at the Naval Military Academy in Marin and the General Air Academy in San Javier. During her stay in Marin, she will have the opportunity to embark on the training ship Juan Sebastian Elcano, a historic ship that has circumnavigated the world several times.
After her military training, Princess Leonor will continue her university studies. It is not yet known what career she will choose, but she could follow in her father’s footsteps and study law. Felipe VI has a law degree from the Autonomous University of Madrid and also completed a master’s degree in International Relations at Georgetown University.
Academic training
Academic training is another important aspect for the Spanish royal family. Both King Felipe and Princess Leonor have studied part of their education outside Spain. The king attended COU in Canada and the princess has studied high school in Scotland.
Infanta Sofia, Leonor’s younger sister, will also follow the same path as her sister and will study high school at the UWC Atlantic College in Wales. Both have attended the same school as their father: Colegio Santa María de los Rosales in Aravaca.
With her military and academic training, Princess Leonor demonstrates her commitment to her role as future queen. Her grandfather Juan Carlos I already highlighted the preparation of King Felipe VI when he ceded the throne to her in 2014. Now it is Leonor’s turn to follow in his footsteps and be very prepared to lead a new monarchy.