After almost three months sailing the seas, Princess Leonor and her companions on the Juan Sebastián Elcano school-ship are halfway through their voyage.
Although there are still some stages to complete, such as their arrival in Peru, the stop in Chile has left images and moments full of symbolism, especially during their visit to the Naval School of Valparaiso.
Photos of Princess Leonor in Valparaiso
At this point in the trip, the heiress to the Spanish throne not only continues to demonstrate her commitment to military training, but also her total integration with her peers.
In Valparaiso, she actively participated in the presentation of a bust of the sailor Blas de Lezo, who is now part of the gallery of heroes of the Chilean institution.
The ceremony was described by the school itself as a day marked by tradition, fellowship and mutual respect, where future Spanish and Chilean officers shared the same space and purpose.
Throughout the visit, the images distributed by the Naval School show Leonor as one of the group.
Although in the photos it is easy to identify her, she has not been given a leading role.
Since she joined the Elcano in January, she has been treated as just another cadet, with the same routines and duties.
The only visible difference with her peers are the three military decorations she wears on her uniform: the Order of Carlos III, the Grand Cross of Military Merit with white distinction and the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ, awarded in Portugal.
Her visit to Chile also included institutional meetings, such as the reception for the Chilean Minister of Defense and the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy, who visited the Elcano and were received by the ship’s crew, including the Princess.
Leonor in Valparaiso
But beyond the official acts, there was also space for relaxation. As has been the case in every port, Leonor had the opportunity to disconnect and briefly enjoy the surroundings.
This time, she was spotted at Don Emelio, a family restaurant that combines seasonal cuisine with Mediterranean touches and Spanish flavors.
Unlike other stops, such as Brazil or Punta Arenas, Chile, where her presence generated a media stir, this visit went smoothly and without controversy.
Even so, not all the moments of the trip have been so discreet.
In Uruguay, during a previous stay in March, photographs recently surfaced showing the princess in a bathing suit, sharing a day at the beach with her companions.
With the arrival in Peru already on the horizon, the voyage of the training ship Elcano is approaching its final stage. And although the calendar still has some stages to go, the experience in Valparaiso marks another firm step in the preparation of a future queen who assumes her role with naturalness and discipline.