Leonor, Princess of Asturias, heir to the Spanish throne, turns 21 today, 31 October 2026. Born in Madrid on 31 October 2005, she is the elder daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. Her last three years have been among the busiest of any young royal in Europe.
A three-year military education
Following a royal decree in March 2023, Leonor began a three-year programme of military training, as her father did before her:
- 2023–24, Army: General Military Academy in Zaragoza. She swore allegiance to the Spanish flag there on 7 October 2023.
- 2024–25, Navy: Naval Military Academy in Marín. In January 2025 she set sail on the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano for a five-month voyage that included stops in Latin America and New York.
- 2025–26, Air and Space Force: General Air and Space Academy in San Javier, Murcia. On 18 December 2025 she flew solo for the first time in a Pilatus PC-21 trainer, and in May 2026 she completed the basic parachute course, the first member of the royal family to do so.
Her training year ended at a ceremony in San Javier on 10 July 2026, attended by her parents and her sister, Infanta Sofía. Her formal commission as an officer is expected in 2027.
An oath before Parliament
On her 18th birthday, 31 October 2023, Leonor swore to uphold the Spanish Constitution before both houses of Parliament, receiving an ovation of more than four minutes. That oath formally confirmed her as the adult heir to the throne.
Now a university student
In April 2026 the Royal Household announced that she would study for a four-year degree in Political Science at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, a public university. She began in September 2026 and, according to the palace, follows the same timetable and exams as other students while continuing her official duties.
Read more about her public engagements and the foundations she leads in Princess Leonor’s public duties and foundations.
Sources
Spanish Royal Household; Wikipedia; ¡Hola! (July 2026); Euro Weekly News (27 April 2026).
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