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Spain

Another emotional farewell for Spain’s royals as Infanta Sofia begins new chapter

The King and Queen of Spain have seen their younger daughter off on the next chapter of her life.

Infanta Sofia has left the family home at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid for Wales where she is beginning a two year course at UWC Atlantic College.

Casa de S.M. el Rey

Sofia, 16, was seen with her parents and the family’s pet dog, Jan, as she loaded her cases ready for the airport trip and a new stage in her education.

Her departure comes less than a fortnight after her older sister, Princess Leonor, left home to begin her military training at Zaragoza.

Casa de S.M. el Rey

Leonor, 17, and Sofia, had spent the previous weeks in Mallorca with their parents and paternal grandmother, Queen Sofia. The Spanish Royal Family traditionally passes part of the summer on the island.

Infanta Sofia also made the trip to Australia with her mother, Queen Letizia, to support the Spanish women’s football team in the World Cup final and was on hand to celebrate as they took the trophy with a 1-0 win over England.

Casa de S.M. el Rey

After her emotional farewell, Sofia made the trip to Wales where she was later photographed enjoying the grounds of the college. Princess Leonor studied at the college between 2021 and 2023 where she was a classmate of Princess Alexia of the Netherlands. Alexia’s younger sister, Princess Ariane, has just begun a course at UWC in Italy.

Sofia is second in line to the throne of Spain behind her sister, Leonor.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.