Princess Leonor has experienced an unprecedented moment during her training aboard the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano: her debut on the radio.
She was presented as “midshipman Borbón – Ortiz” in the program Españoles en el mar, a special broadcast of Radio Exterior that celebrated her 40th birthday from the Dominican Republic, the last stop of the training cruise before arriving in New York.
Princess Leonor on the Radio
Dressed in the Navy’s white uniform, without a cap and with the bow tie that is already part of her naval routine, the heiress appeared alongside hosts Marta Fernández and Ana Añoz.
During the broadcast, Leonor sent a message to those who, like her, spend long days at sea.
She expressed her respect for those who dedicate their lives to fishing, the merchant navy, oceanographic research, port infrastructure maintenance or naval training.
Bautizo radiofónico de la heredera al trono a bordo del buque en el que está estudiando como guardiamarina de la @Armada_esp.
Palabras de agradecimiento hacia @ree_rne por el 40 aniversario de ‘Españoles en la mar’ y de reconocimiento a las personas que viven por y para la mar. pic.twitter.com/3yZrhyXvr0
— Radio Exterior (@ree_rne) May 23, 2025
He especially valued the sacrifice of being away from home for so long, something he now knows firsthand.
“From one of the ports of call on this training cruise, I send my affection to all of you who spend so much time away from Spain, dedicated to the sea,” he said in his speech.