Princess Leonor’s arrival at the Carlos III University of Getafe marks a significant change in her life. Up until now, much of her education has taken place in settings where her privacy was tightly controlled, from the Santa María de los Rosales school to UWC Atlantic College in Wales, and later at military academies.
Now she will have to navigate a public campus alongside thousands of students, and her presence, whether we like it or not, sparks a lot of curiosity.
And here lies one of the major challenges of this new phase. Cell phones with cameras are a part of everyday university life, and the administration at Carlos III has already reminded faculty that their use is prohibited in classrooms and on campus.
The notice will also be communicated to students during the course introduction, though direct mention of the heir to the throne being among them will be avoided. The idea seems quite simple: for Leonor to be able to study without feeling watched at every turn.
The Royal Household’s security will have its own protocols to protect her, but there’s a part that depends on something much more everyday. The discretion of her classmates. That’s why it’s curious that the university has opted for this general reminder instead of making Leonor’s presence the focus of the conversation.
In the end, she will have to get used to sharing hallways, classrooms, and moments of her university life with young people who, until now, were not part of her usual circle.
Additionally, the Royal Household arranged an official photo shoot upon her arrival on campus this Monday, September 7, to manage the initial excitement. After that, the aim is for the attention to gradually subside, allowing Leonor to blend in as just another student.
It won’t be easy, of course, but this change is also part of her preparation for the future. This time, the challenge is learning to navigate a much more open space with ease.