The Spanish Royal Household has published a press release indicating the next steps in the education of Princess Leonor.
On Tuesday, 14 March, the Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, held a press conference, indicating that the heir to the throne would undergo her military training according to a revised decree that mimicked the one promulgated for her father, King Felipe.
Ms Robles revealed that the Princess of Asturias would undergo training in all the branches of the Armed Forces, starting with the Army, then Navy, and lastly Air Force, for a total training period of three years.
The Minister had also told the press that her training would be starting “ in August or September,” and she expressed her joy at the fact that the Princess is going to be the first woman to serve as the chief of the Armed Forces.
The press release clarified that Princess Leonor will start her training at Zaragoza General Military Academy for the 2023-2024 academic year in August. She is scheduled to graduate with the rank of Dame-Cadet.
She will continue her education at the Marín Naval Military Academy in 2024-2025 for a couple of months before embarking on her training journey aboard the teaching ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano, as all Navy cadets do, her father included. She will graduate with the rank of Midshipman.
She will conclude her military education in 2025-2026 with the Air and Space Force at the San Javier General Air Academy. She is expected to graduate with the rank of Lieutenant Cadet.
Also notable is that the Princess will undertake a modified version of the training: it will only be for three years instead of the traditional five, and she will have the freedom to experience all three branches of the Armed Forces.
This special programme, which mimics the one that King Felipe undertook when he was Prince of Asturias, was designed keeping in mind “the needs of her high representative role and her condition as heir to the Spanish throne.”
The second bullet point of the press release also makes it clear that Princess Leonor is expected to conduct her university studies at the same time: “The Princess of Asturias will begin her graduate studies in the next academic year 2023-2024. For this, it is established that in this period will converge both her military education – in the more ample perspective of her military career – and her university education to achieve a graduate and potentially postgraduate degree.”
The press release is also very clear on where the family stands about this journey: “His Majesty the King, together with the Queen, believes that the Princess of Asturias’ military education is very convenient and valuable: it reinforces the ability of service and dedication and makes the representation commitments she will have to undertake easier […]. So, Their Majesties the King and Queen welcome this new education journey for Princess Leonor with the satisfaction of knowing her willingness, interest and excitement in receiving this education.”
The press release concluded with a reminder that all future sovereigns in European monarchies have a long-standing tradition of undertaking military training. The most recent example was Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, who undertook one full year of military training before starting her academic studies at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
This press release was published as Princess Leonor is set to finish her high school education; for the last two years, she has been based in Wales, where she attended UWC Atlantic.
As the Princess embarks on her military and university studies, her younger sister, Infanta Sofía, is set to begin her final high school years at UWC Atlantic, leaving Zarzuela Palace, an empty nest for King Felipe and Queen Letizia.
