Princess Leonor spent the day fêted throughout Murcia and San Javier as her year training with the air and space force comes to a close.
The future queen of Spain traveled around the region to receive gold medals and adopted daughter status, with just a month left of her training at the General Air and Space Academy.
At the Palace of San Esteban, Princess Leonor received the Gold Status of the Region of Murcia, the area’s highest honour, in a ceremony attended by the President of the Region, Fernando López Miras, and other government officials.
In a speech, Princess Leonor said that “although I still have a month left at the General Air and Space Academy, with this ceremony today I symbolically close a chapter that has been essential for me” and noted that she is “not the same person who arrived in Zaragoza” last August.
The future queen continued to praise Murcia, saying that “I’ve experienced and deepened my understanding of camaraderie” and “There is an air of kindness and warmth in Murcia that does not go unnoticed and that has accompanied me throughout this academic year.”
Princess Leonor also received the Gold Medal of the City of San Javier and became its Adopted Daughter in a separate ceremony held at San Javier’s City Hall. She said of the trio of honours: “I receive these distinctions with humility and gratitude and with the desire to always live up to them.”
The future queen signed the San Javier City Hall guest book following the presentation. According to the Spanish Royal Court, she wrote: “San Javier will always be a part of my life and my happiest memories. Here, in addition to discovering the cheerful spirit of the people of San Javier, I have experienced the true meaning of camaraderie, trust, and dedication.”
The third award Princess Leonor received was the Gold Medal of the Regional Assembly of Murcia for her “institutional representation of the Crown, exemplary conduct and commitment to public service, defense of the unity and diversity of Spain and recognition of her institutional link with the Region of Murcia.”
Princess Leonor has spent the last three years training with each branch of the Spanish Armed Forces. This fall, she will begin studying at the University Carlos III of Madrid for a degree in Political Science.
The Spanish Royal Court previously announced that her coursework will focus on political science, humanities, law, economics, sociology, history and international relations. She will continue carrying out royal duties as needed.
