The Spanish Royal Household published new photos that offer a glimpse of Princess Leonor’s rigorous month of basic training and her full integration into military life.
On August 17, Princess Leonor, eldest daughter and heir to King Felipe VI, began her basic military training at the Military Academy of Zaragoza.
The training is a rite of passage for members of the royal family who will one day occupy the throne.
Princess Leonor with rifle in hand and camouflage paint
The photos come shortly after Tuesday’s traditional saber ceremony, a milestone for newly inducted cadets at the General Academy in Zaragoza.
At the ceremony, Princess Leonor received her officer’s saber, formally marking her status as a lady cadet.
But the new photos reveal much more about the heiress’ daily military regimen during her first month at the military academy.
The photo that attracted the most attention was that of the Princess of Asturias with the Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle with which they do the exercises.
The G36 is a light weapon and can be configured as an assault rifle, compact carbine, carbine or light machine gun.
This rifle fires a standard 5.56 x 45 NATO cartridge and has a maximum rate of fire of 750 rounds per minute. It can fire in semi-automatic or automatic mode thanks to a selector lever.
According to information from Spanish portals, Princess Leonor has fully integrated into her company at the academy.
Like her fellow cadets, she has emerged from training exercises “disheveled” and “mud-stained.”
Photos confirm this, showing the Princess crawling under barbed wire and maneuvering through obstacle courses in full combat gear.
In one striking image, her face appears completely camouflaged with green paint for field exercises.
The Royal House outlined some of Princess Eleanor’s intensive training activities, which include shooting drills, passing through combat tracks, topographical trails, light drills and crossing waterways.
This basic phase focuses on individual combat skills, military values and weapons proficiency.
Cadet Borbón Ortiz, who has bonded very well with her comrades, is evidence of her successful integration.
By all accounts, the heiress has been treated like any other cadet during these first few demanding weeks.
She shares her room and meals with her fellow cadets, with whom she is bonding thanks to the large amount of time they spend together on a daily basis.
During the first two weeks, Princess Leonor participated in the usual activities of welcome, orientation and adaptation to military discipline.
After this probationary period, she received her red beret and went through combat training alongside her peers.
The photos clearly show Princess Leonor as an integrated member of her military cohort.
Whether crawling under barbed wire or marching in formation, the heiress goes through the same grueling ordeals as her fellow cadets.
There is no doubt that the photos are invaluable visual proof of Princess Leonor’s successful integration into military life. As the eldest daughter of the King and Queen of Spain, her training at the Military Academy of Zaragoza is an important milestone on her way to the throne.
