Summer in Palma de Mallorca is no longer a vacation break for Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía; it is now another stage in their process of institutional maturity.
Far from those seasons focused on family photo shoots and leisurely afternoons, this year marks a turning point.
Both will make their debut alongside the King and Queen at the traditional reception at the Marivent Palace, a gesture that reinforces their role as active figures within the royal family and brings them, little by little, closer to the responsibilities that their position demands.
This step forward in their public profile coincides with a subtle change in the style of the event, as for the first time, the dress code was relaxed to suit the summery nature of the gathering.
The change fits in with the tone that the Royal Household is seeking to set—a more accessible, approachable institution in tune with the times—where the new generations, represented by Leonor and Sofía, play a fundamental role.
The heiress and her sister embody this transition towards a more contemporary monarchy.
Recent moves by both young women indicate this. Both have just attended events related to the awards in Girona and the Eurocup final in Switzerland on their own.
The royal family will leave Mallorca on August 6 for a private vacation. A brief break before Leonor settles into the Air Force Academy in San Javier on September 1 and Sofía begins a new academic stage in Portugal.