Spain’s future queen pays tribute to long gone royals

Princess Leonor has made a visit to the lands that once made up the ancient kingdom of Navarre and took the time to pay tribute to its long gone royal family.

Leonor, 19, was visiting Navarre for the first time as heir to the throne. Her parents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, were at her side for the trip which marks her first official appearance there as Princess of Viana, the official title of the heir to the throne of Navarre.

Princess of Viana is one of a number of titles that Leonor holds as first in line to the Spanish crown. She is better known as Princess of Asturias and she is also Princess of Girona.

Although she’s held all three titles since June 2014, when her father became king, this is the first time that Leonor has been in Navarre officially since then.

Her visit began with a trip to the government offices where she came face to face with what is now her own history. She was shown the document which created the title she now holds. It was signed by King Charles III of Navarre.

From there, the current Princess of Viana headed to City Hall to meet officials and to take in a new exhibition in the church of San Pedro which traces the history of the title over six centuries.

Then, there was a chance for Leonor to take in a view which covers some of the ancient lands of Viana that formed the basis of that title.

History remained the focus as Princess Leonor went to the ancient royal crypt at the Monastery of Leyre where, along with her parents, she laid a wreath at the tombs of past kings and queens of Navarre.

The kingdom was a powerful force within Europe during the Middle Ages but was eventually subsumed into the French crown. After the French revolution and the end of the brief Empire in France, Navarre became part of Spain.

Princess Leonor’s visit to Viana continued across a second day when she took in more 21st century activities. The final part of this mini tour saw her talking to young people about their ambitions for the area and meeting business leaders.

There were also several walkabouts where the princess, who remains a popular member of Spain’s sometimes beleaguered royal family, was greeted warmly.

Leonor, who turns 20 at the end of October, left Navarre to resume her training with Spain’s air force. It’s the third and final year of her military formation.