Princess Leonor is in one of the most demanding stages of her training as a midshipman in the Spanish Navy.
Since she set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria last January 23, the heiress to the throne has been sailing aboard the training ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano, bound for Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.
As we have reported here at RoyalFamily.News, it will be a 22-day voyage without touching land, where both she and her companions face a rigorous instruction program that will test their endurance, discipline and ability to coexist.
Princess Leonor’s Daily Life Aboard the Training Ship Elcano
Aboard the Elcano, the days start early. At 6:45 a.m., the crew wakes up to the sound of reveille.
After washing up and organizing their space, they eat breakfast and prepare for the day’s activities.
The academic training day includes a total of 18 subjects, including Navigation, Astronomy, Naval History, Meteorology and Maritime Law.
Classes are divided into two shifts: one in the morning, which ends at noon, and another in the afternoon, with maneuvers until six o’clock.
But the routine is not only limited to studies. The midshipmen also perform night watches, navigation maneuvers and astronomical observations, all while adapting to living in the ship’s confined spaces. It is both physically and mentally challenging.
Despite the demands, there are moments of respite. After dinner, those not on watch can attend mass, read, play cards or simply rest.
At 10:30 p.m. “silence” sets in, marking the end of the day for most.
A challenge also faced by King Felipe VI.
The passage through the Elcano is a tradition for the cadets of the Naval School, and Princess Leonor follows in the same footsteps as her father, King Felipe VI, who made this crossing in 1987.
According to her former tutor, José Antonio Alcina, the then young cadet “complained about too much work and too little rest, but he fit in very well with the situation.” He was even arrested with four “albas” for lack of attention in class and disorder in his cabin.
Space for fun and traditions on the high seas
Despite the demanding pace, life on board also leaves room for some distractions. Each week, the midshipmen prepare the “Telelcano”, a news bulletin in television format where they summarize world news and share anecdotes from day-to-day life on the ship with a touch of humor.
Another special moment will be the crossing of the equator, a seafaring tradition in which the crew that has never crossed this imaginary line receives a symbolic baptism of salt water, in a ceremony organized by the so-called “King Neptune’s embassy”.
If the custom is maintained, Leonor and her companions will be sprinkled with seawater on deck, before enjoying a festive day with games and jokes.
A voyage that will take her to the Americas
When the Juan Sebastian de Elcano arrives in Brazil, the crew will spend five days in Salvador de Bahia before continuing their voyage.
The route will include stops in Montevideo, Punta Arenas, Valparaiso, Lima, Panama City and Santo Domingo, until arriving in New York in early June.
For Princess Leonor, this experience represents a demanding test of endurance and a key learning experience in her military training and her future role as queen.