The King and Queen of Spain, Felipe VI, and Letizia, accompanied by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias, presided this Saturday, January 6, at the Royal Palace in Madrid over the traditional celebration of the New Year’s Military Parade, a ceremony deeply rooted in Spanish military life in which the military year begins.
Princess Leonor has taken the next step in her relationship with the Armed Forces.
Photos of Princess Leonor at the New Year’s military parade
Princess Leonor premiered her official agenda for 2024 at the traditional military event.
It is a historic day where the heir to the throne participated with her parents in the military ceremony, something that did not happen with Felipe during his training as a cadet at the Military Academy of Zaragoza.
It should be noted that the Academy is granting Leonor more leave than was granted to her father during his cadet training.
According to Spanish media, Felipe VI wants Leonor to have institutional prominence and now, with her coming of age, her duty is to acquire the advice and knowledge that the then Prince Felipe assumed at the time.
Experts in royalty agree that Leonor de Borbón has to “come out of her shell”.
Princess Leonor of Spain wore a military uniform, specifically the cadet lady’s dress uniform, the same one she used on October 12 during the celebration of the National Day.
Origin of the Military Parade
According to the Royal House, in the Military Parade, a balance of the vicissitudes of the previous year is made and the lines of action to be developed in the following year are marked.
In addition, military decorations are awarded to those civilians and members of the Armed Forces who have received them during the past year.
The origin of the Military Parade dates back to the reign of Charles III, when, on January 6, 1782, the Menorcan town of Mahón, which was in the hands of the English, was recovered.
As an expression of jubilation, Charles III ordered the viceroys, captains general, governors, and military commanders, on the feast of the Epiphany, to gather the garrisons and notify in his name the chiefs and officers of the armies of his congratulations.