Princess Leonor of Spain has shown herself comfortable and confident presiding over the Princess of Asturias Awards, one of the most awaited appointments on her agenda where her voice can be heard as she gives her speech.
About to turn 17 years old, Princess Leonor is very aware of the role she plays and is becoming more and more confident in front of the cameras.
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Speech by Princess Leonor of Spain at the Princess of Asturias Awards 2022
I am very happy to be back in Asturias once again this year for the presentation of these Awards, which show that excellent work, constant effort and a sense of responsibility have great results.
In a few days I will be 17 years old. And I assure you that discovering the work of our award winners helps me to better understand the world around us. Their work pushes me, all of them in fact, to keep learning. I have read about each of them and I am impressed by all that they have achieved. It matters to me and interests me, because I know that their work, their efforts, look to the future and influence the present.
It matters to me that two exceptional artists remind us that flamenco is a living art, rich, powerful, universal, ours. A cultured art in which María Pagés and Carmen Linares reach the harmony of those who evolve while maintaining the essence of tradition.
It matters to me and impacts me that Adam Michnik is not afraid to do responsible and rigorous journalism. That this journalist and historian, a great defender of Democracy, works for reconciliation among his fellow citizens and the most optimistic Europeanism, despite his hard personal experience, shows his exemplary spirit.
It matters to me that the anthropologist and archaeologist Eduardo Matos Moctezuma has dedicated his life to reconstructing and documenting with great scientific rigor what it was like for the inhabitants of pre-Hispanic Mexico. He uncovers the past in order to understand what we are and what ancient and current societies have in common.
That the playwright and academic Juan Mayorga thinks that theater is the art of the encounter, therefore, of the actor-spectator relationship, and that it helps us to examine real lives and possible lives, matters to me. And also that this award serves so that art, culture, and Mayorga’s special -philosophical and mathematical- gaze are valued as they deserve and help us to ask ourselves questions.
It is important to me that our Science award winners do research on Artificial Intelligence because these are the technologies that are already with us and that will continue to allow us to progress in this discipline; so that machines become allies of Humanity and make our lives easier. Hinton, Hassabis, Bengio and LeCun have shown that the social impact of Artificial Intelligence needs resources and attention.
I also care and am very concerned when an athlete is unable to train and progress in his career because he has been forced to flee his country. That’s why it’s a great initiative that, for a few years now, athletes in this situation have had the opportunity to continue their activity so that they can go on to compete in the Olympic Games, thanks to the Refugee Olympic Team and its Foundation.
And it matters to me that architect Shigeru Ban cares about people who have lost their homes to war, hurricanes, earthquakes. And that he offers them solutions to live without having to give up their right to privacy and dignity. It is also a benchmark in sustainable materials.
And I also care that Ellen MacArthur has managed to get governments, scientific institutions, large companies and society to work together to make better use of natural resources; that she proposes solutions to prevent the loss of biodiversity; and that she explains to us how it works and what the advantages of the circular economy are.
What matters to me, in short, is that we are all here celebrating and learning, and that we recognize our award winners in the best spirit that these times need. That is why I thank all of you who support the Princess of Asturias Foundation in so many ways for your efforts and support.
We young people are aware that the current situation is not easy, that the world has changed and continues to change and that the best way to progress is to maintain our enthusiasm for knowledge, to equip ourselves with responsibility and capacity for effort, to learn from those who know, from those who do their work impeccably, often in silence. That is why, on days like today, listening to, admiring and recognizing the excellence of our award winners makes us feel that things can always change for the better.
Thank you very much.
Princess Leonor in a Michael Kors dress
For this important date, the princess of Spain has opted for a Michael Kors dress. The garment is composed of a black and white print, embroidered with small sequins, round neck, long puffed sleeves and, as she usually does with her outfits, this is not the original garment as a few centimeters of fabric were added to make it not so short.
Undoubtedly a modern and elegant look, ideal for this occasion and that the heiress could combine with black heeled pumps with low heels. Her hair was tied back in a youthful bun with loose strands that framed her face.
The surprise of her look was her jewelry. She wore elegant Chanel diamond earrings that belonged to her mother. They are a leaf-shaped design valued at 8,600 euros.
