PRINCESS LEONOR: THE COMPREHENSIVE PREPARATION OF SPAIN’S FUTURE QUEEN

At 20 years old, Princess Leonor of Spain has already completed an extraordinary phase of her royal preparation, training extensively across land, sea, and air. As the heir to the Spanish throne since 2014, when her father became King Felipe VI, her life over the past three years has diverged significantly from that of typical royal heirs her age.’

In 2023, she enrolled at Spain’s General Military Academy in Zaragoza to begin a rigorous three-year military program. Her training continued at the naval academy, which included months at sea aboard the historic training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano. She concluded her military service with the Air and Space Force Academy, training as a cadet, flying the PC-21 aircraft, and completing a military parachuting course. On July 10, 2026, she officially completed this comprehensive military phase.

Her education now shifts from military academies to higher education. Beginning this September, Princess Leonor will pursue a four-year degree in Political Science at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, studying law, economics, sociology, history, and international relations while continuing her official public duties.

This path mirrors the preparation of her father, King Felipe VI, who also completed tri-service military training prior to his university studies. If Leonor eventually ascends the throne, she will become Spain’s first queen regnant since Isabel II over 150 years ago. Her ongoing journey demonstrates that inheriting a royal role requires years of deliberate, rigorous preparation long before ever assuming the crown.