Princess Leonor’s recent stay in Brazil, along with her fellow midshipmen aboard the training ship Elcano, has given much to talk about.
Although the trip had a clear academic and protocol purpose, the heir to the throne also had the opportunity to enjoy her free time in Salvador de Bahia.
However, as we previously reported here at RoyalFamilyNews, an image captured by a Brazilian photographer during the city’s famous carnival has sparked a wave of speculation about her personal life.
In the photograph in question, the princess appears in a relaxed attitude with a young man, identified as one of her classmates at the Naval School.
This has been enough so that in recent days rumors about a possible romantic relationship have gained strength.
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For months, Princess Leonor’s routine has been marked by her military training, and the coexistence with her classmates at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza first, and now at the Naval School of Marin, has been key in its development. In this context, it is natural that he has forged close ties with some of them.
According to Monarquía Confidencial, sources close to the Royal Household have confirmed that the King and Queen are aware of the relationship.
“It is not a secret among their peers,” they assure.
However, they downplay the importance of the situation and stress that Leonor is not doing anything out of the ordinary for her age.
The same sources stress that, although the media interest in the personal life of the princess is understandable, in Zarzuela they prefer to stay out of it.
“The king and queen understand that their daughter is living experiences typical of her age and see nothing inappropriate in it,” they point out.
The role of the bodyguards and the controversy with the photographer
Beyond the commotion surrounding their alleged relationship, another aspect that has generated debate is the performance of her security team.
Five bodyguards accompanied the princess during her stay in Brazil and, apparently, did not welcome the presence of the photographer who managed to capture the images.
Some witnesses claim that their intervention was forceful, which has given rise to criticism as to whether they overstepped their role.
However, sources consulted defend that the bodyguards acted in accordance with established protocols.
“It is inevitable that photos are taken, but the safety of the princess is their priority and they followed the appropriate parameters,” they explain.
Meanwhile, Princess Leonor continues with her agenda, focused on her naval studies and her preparation as a future queen.
The next stop on her journey will be Montevideo, then Chile, Peru, Panama, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and, finally, the United States.