Infanta Sofia has decided to pursue her university studies abroad, specifically at Forward College, a private institution with campuses in Lisbon, Paris, and Berlin that is affiliated with the University of London.
At 18 years old, she has chosen to study Political Science and International Relations, a three-year degree that, according to official sources, was approved by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia under two clear conditions.
One of the conditions was that the university should not be too far from Spain and that the chosen degree should be useful for her future commitments within the Royal Household.
This decision has generated mixed reactions. While some point out that Sofia, unlike her sister Leonor, is not subject to a strict roadmap and can choose more freely, others see this choice as a gesture that questions the quality of the Spanish education system.
Spanish journalist Pilar Eyre, an expert on royal affairs, was one of the most critical on this issue, questioning whether Spanish universities were not good enough for the princess.
She also warned of the symbolic distancing that her education abroad could entail.
In contrast, there are those who appreciate Sofia’s attempt to find a more discreet and personalized educational environment, such as that offered by Forward College, where classes are taught in small groups of up to 15 students.
This format would allow the young woman to maintain a certain amount of privacy and a more relaxed academic pace, something difficult to achieve in Spanish public universities given her public profile and constant scrutiny.
Although the controversy continues, her education in political science, law, history, economics, and sociology aims to prepare her to take on a more active role in the Crown without following in her sister’s military footsteps. A different path, but one not without expectations.