Since Princess Leonor embarked on her voyage aboard the training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano, her training in the Navy has been full of challenges.
After almost two months at sea, the heiress to the Spanish throne arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay, on March 5, her second stop in Latin America after Brazil.
However, her arrival was marked by a more serious attitude than usual, which has sparked speculation and brought to light the challenges she has faced at sea.
Princess Leonor faces challenges
Accustomed to protocol acts and large-scale events, Leonor has had to face a completely different experience.
Her time on the Juan Sebastián Elcano has been marked by the physical demands and discipline of military training, but also by the setbacks of life at sea.
According to Alejandro Perez, head of Public Relations of the Uruguayan Navy, the princess has had “adaptation problems with the theme of the trip”, noting that she has suffered dizziness and nausea, typical symptoms of motion sickness, known as “motion sickness”.
This discomfort is common among those who are not used to the instability of the sea and affects both new crew members and passengers of any vessel.
Despite these inconveniences, it is hoped that with time the princess will adapt better to maritime conditions and successfully continue her training, which will culminate in June, prior to her entry into the San Javier Academy in Murcia to complete her military training.
Rumors and speculation
As usual in every appearance of Princess Leonor, her stay in Brazil did not go unnoticed.
During her first stop in the Latin American continent, some images of her at a pre-Carnival party with her Navy colleagues gave rise to speculation about her personal life.
It was even claimed that she might be having an affair with another midshipman after being seen in a close relationship with a crewmate.
These rumors, however, lack confirmation and seem to be part of the media interest that always generates the figure of the heiress.
The Royal Household has not made any statements on the matter, maintaining its usual discretion about the private life of the princess.
The rigor of military training
Beyond speculation, Leonor is facing a demanding training process, in which she has shown determination and commitment.
Proof of this are the visible bruises on her forearm, the result of the maneuvers she must perform aboard ship.
These minor injuries are common among cadets and reflect the intensity of training in the Navy.
From Zarzuela, however, they have chosen not to comment on the details of Leonor’s experience on the training ship.
“These are matters of a private nature,” they have pointed out, adding that ”no health problems related to Princess Leonor have been reported.”