Princess Leonor, Princess of Asturias is beginning a new phase of her life as she undertakes sixth form studies in Wales. It’s the first time she’s lived away from home and marks another chapter in her path towards the Spanish throne. As the teenage princess turns 16 , let’s take a look back at the past year in her life to chart how she’s becoming a much more active member of the Spanish Royal Family.
October 2020
Princess Leonor’s year of official engagements began with attending the Spanish National Day celebrations and military parade at the Royal Palace of Spain alongside her parents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and her younger sister, Infanta Sofía.
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The Princess of Asturias attended the awards ceremony that bear her name on 16 October 2020 in Oviedo, Spain.
In her speech, she said: “…If there is something that my sister Sofía and I have learned, it is the sense of responsibility. Our parents have always taught us this. And I think the young people of my generation are also aware of this. A sense of responsibility that comes about by never forgetting the people around us, those who love us and whom we love.
“And we have also seen the importance of solidarity thanks to people who, like the Laureates, are an example of how to face difficulties. With your extraordinary work and talent, you set the path for us all.
“When at times like these we try to be responsible and supportive, we ensure a better future. That is why our Awards give us hope, because they constitute a recognition of those who, with dedication, work tirelessly to jointly achieve the advancement and well-being of the whole of society.”
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On 17 October, Princess Leonor and her father unveiled a plaque to mark the Spanish Royal Family’s official visit to Somao.
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December 2020
On 11 December 2020, Princess Leonor attended a Princess of Girona Foundation meeting with her parents and younger sister.
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March 2021
In her first official solo engagement, on 25 March Princess Leonor attended the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Cervantes Institute and deposited copies of the Spanish Constitution and writings by Quixote in their ‘Caja de las Letras’ where the Institute keeps important Spanish documents.
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April 2021
Princess Leonor joined the family at the launch ceremony for a new submarine, the ‘Isaac Peral’ at the Navarantia Shipyard in Cartagena on 22 April.
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May 2021
Unlike her Norwegian and Danish counterparts, Princess Leonor’s confirmation took place behind closed doors. She received her confirmation at the Asuncion de Neustra Señora Church in Aravaca on 28 May, in the presence of her parents and sister.
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June 2021
Princess Leonor joined the Spanish Royal Family for the Order of the Civil Merit ceremony at the Royal Palace of Madrid on 18 June.
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July 2021
Princess Leonor, who is also the Princess of Girona, attended and spoke at the Foundation’s Awards on 1 July in Barcelona. She said that young peoples’ voices need to be heard now more than ever, “If providing opportunities to the youngest generations is a duty that any society should always be committed to, the pandemic and its consequences have made this even more necessary.”
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Princess Leonor met with students and members of the UWC Spain courses at the Royal Palace in Madrid on 13 July. The Spanish princess would begin her studies at UWC Atlantic College in Wales in early September.
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Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía participated in #Unarbolporeuropa on 14 July, planting trees in Hayedo de Montejo.
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On 25 July, Princess Leonor and her family attended a National Offering to the Apostle, Saint James, at the Apostle’s Cathedral.
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August 2021
Princess Leonor is pictured here on an official visit to the Interpretation Centre of the Sierra de Tramuntana and the Lluc Sanctuary in Escorca, Spain, on 4 August.
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Princess Leonor joined the rest of her family for an away-day in Palma de Mallorca, attending the 39th Copa del Rey Mapfre Sailing Cup on 7 August at the Real Club Nautico de Palma.
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On 30 August 2021, Princess Leonor arrived at UWC Atlantic College in Wales to begin her two-year programme. This photo was provided by the Spanish Royal House and shows Princess Leonor walking the grounds of the castle.
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Earlier in the day, she said goodbye to her parents and younger sister at the airport in Madrid.
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