As her naval training comes to an end this week, Princess Leonor received two special honours from Galicia as parting gifts.
The future queen of Spain has spent the past year training at the Naval Military School in Marín. This week, she’ll finish with a ceremony attended by King Felipe, Queen Letizia and her younger sister, Infanta Sofía.
Princess Leonor received the Gold Medal of Galicia “in recognition of her military training…and as a sign of ‘affection and respect of the Galician people’,” according to the Spanish Royal Court. She also received the title of Adopted Daughter of Marín.
The future queen was welcomed to Obradoiro Square for the first presentation, where the President of the Xunta de Galicia presented her with her gold medal.
Princess Leonor gave a speech at the presentation ceremony, telling the crowd that her time in Galicia “was intense and exciting” and that she enjoyed the atmosphere everywhere she went.
She added: “Time has passed very quickly, as the intense months in Marín have been followed by the training cruise on the training ship and the weeks on the frigate. But whether in Marín or at sea, I feel that this year in the Navy has served to strengthen the values of honor, valor, discipline, and loyalty that define our Naval Military Academy.”
She praised her instructors both at the naval school and aboard the Juan Sebastián de Elcano as well as her fellow midshipmen before turning her focus back to the people of Marín for welcoming them all, saying “that is why I feel very honoured that you consider me an adopted daughter of Marín.”
The future queen assured the crowd that she’ll never be homesick for Galicia, “because I always want to return” and gave a final thank you, saying, “Many thanks, from the bottom of my heart, for this honour that I receive with the hope of feeling in this land so supported…from the first day; a land that welcomed me a few months ago with open arms and that, almost without declaring me, became part of me.”
Princess Leonor’s full speech can be found here.
Following the Golden Medal of Galicia presentation, Princess Leonor travelled to Marín City Hall to receive the title of Adopted Daughter of the community. She was received by city officials and presented with the baton of office before beginning the ceremony.
The future queen was presented with a parchment and medal and signed the golden guest book for the city. The Spanish Royal Court shared that she received the honour “to strengthen the connection between the town and the Crown” and to recognise “the importance of Doña Leonor’s presence in the village, where she has made several visits.”
Princess Leonor became the first Adopted Daughter of Marín, and the first person to receive such an honour since her father was named Adopted Son of the city in 1986 upon the completion of his own naval training.
Later this week, Princess Leonor will receive the Grand Cross of Naval Merit with white distinction from King Felipe at a graduation ceremony at the Naval Military School.
Princess Leonor will begin her third and final year of military training this autumn, when she enrolls at the General Air Academy in San Javier to train with the Spanish Air and Space Force as a second lieutenant.
The future queen has already trained at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza with the Spanish Army; arriving with the rank of Officer Cadet and graduating last July as Cadet Ensign. She has been a Midshipman within the Spanish Navy over the past year.
