Leonor, Princess of Asturias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leonor |
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| Princess of Asturias (more) | |||||
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Leonor in 2023
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| Born | 31 October 2005 Madrid, Spain |
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| House | Bourbon-Anjou | ||||
| Father | Felipe VI | ||||
| Mother | Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano | ||||
| Signature |  |
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| Education |
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| Military career | |||||
| Allegiance |  Spain |
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| Service/ |
Spanish Army Spanish Navy |
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| Years of service | 2023–present | ||||
| Rank | Cadet Ensign (Army) Midshipman (Navy) |
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Leonor, Princess of Asturias (born 31 October 2005) is the next in line to the Spanish throne. She is the older daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. Her full name is Leonor de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Ortiz.
Leonor was born when her grandfather, King Juan Carlos I, was king. She went to Santa María de los Rosales School, just like her father. After finishing high school, she studied for an International Baccalaureate at the UWC Atlantic College in Wales, United Kingdom. On 17 August 2023, Leonor began her three-year military education at the General Military Academy.
In 2014, her grandfather stepped down, and her father became King. Leonor then received all the traditional titles for the heir to the Spanish crown. These include Princess of Asturias, Princess of Girona, and Duchess of Montblanc. Leonor officially became the heir before the Spanish Parliament on 31 October 2023, her 18th birthday.
If Leonor becomes queen, she will be the first queen to rule Spain since her great-great-grandmother Isabella II. Isabella II reigned from 1833 to 1868.
Contents
Early Life and School
Leonor was born on 31 October 2005, in Madrid. She was born to Felipe and Letizia, who were then the Prince and Princess of Asturias. Her birth happened during the reign of her grandfather, King Juan Carlos I.
Leonor left the hospital with her parents on 7 November 2005. She was baptized at the Zarzuela Palace on 14 January 2006. Her godparents were her grandparents, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía. She was given the name Leonor de Todos los Santos.
Leonor started her education at a daycare for children of the Spanish Royal Guard. She began primary school on 15 September 2008 at Santa María de los Rosales School in Madrid. She was known for getting good grades there.
In September 2021, Leonor started a two-year International Baccalaureate program. She studied at the UWC Atlantic College in Wales. She finished her high school education in May 2023. Leonor also attended summer camps in the United States. She speaks Spanish, Catalan, and English very well. She also studied French, Galician, Basque, Arabic, and Mandarin.
Military Training
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Leonor is preparing to become Spain's commander-in-chief, just like her father. She is currently completing three years of military training. This training includes time with the Spanish Army, Spanish Navy, and Spanish Air and Space Force. She trains at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza, the Naval Military Academy in Marín, and the General Air Academy in Murcia.
In March 2023, the Spanish government approved a plan for Leonor to begin her military education. Leonor chose to use both of her parents' last names, "Borbón Ortiz," during her military career. She also decided not to receive any salary or money that other cadets get.
On 17 August 2023, she started her first year of training at the General Military Academy. She received her officer's sword on 19 September 2023. Leonor swore an oath to the Spanish flag on 7 October 2023, with her parents watching. In January 2024, Leonor competed in a military sports championship. Her team won a silver medal in fencing.
In June 2024, she finished her army training exercises in the mountains. She was promoted to the rank of Cadet Ensign by her father, King Felipe VI, on 3 July 2024. She also received the Cross of Military Merit.
On 23 July 2024, she was appointed as a Midshipman. This was a step before joining the Naval Military School. On 29 August 2024, she began her naval training at the Naval Military Academy in Marín. In September 2024, Leonor and other students practiced sailing in the Pontevedra Estuary.
On 8 January 2025, she boarded the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano. She began a five-month voyage, learning to be a sailor and visiting many Latin American countries and New York City. After leaving the ship in New York, she flew back to Spain. She then spent a month on the frigate Blas de Lezo, taking part in naval exercises. She rejoined the training ship on 2 July 2025 to finish her journey in mid-July. On 16 July 2025, Leonor was promoted to Midshipman of 2nd grade. Her father also awarded her the Cross of Naval Merit.
Princess of Asturias Role
Early Years as Heir
In May 2014, Leonor made her first official visit to an Air Force base in Murcia. On 18 June 2014, King Juan Carlos signed a document to step down. The next day, Leonor's father became King Felipe VI, and Leonor became the next in line to the throne, the Princess of Asturias. In October 2014, a wax figure of Leonor was shown at the Museo de Cera in Madrid. On 20 May 2015, Leonor received her First Communion.
The Spanish law for who inherits the throne means that Leonor is first in line. This is because she is the elder of her father's two daughters. However, if her father were to have a son, that son would become the heir instead of Leonor. There have been talks about changing this law so that the oldest child, regardless of gender, would inherit. But the birth of Leonor and her younger sister Sofía put these plans on hold.
The day before her 10th birthday, her father gave her the Order of the Golden Fleece. This is a very important award. In January 2018, King Felipe officially gave Leonor the collar of the Golden Fleece in a ceremony. This happened when her father turned 50.
In September 2018, Leonor had her first public event outside the palace. She went with her parents to Covadonga to celebrate a special anniversary. On 31 October 2018, Leonor gave her first public speech. She read from the Constitution of Spain at the Instituto Cervantes in Madrid. This was on her 13th birthday and the 40th anniversary of the Constitution. She gave her first major speech at the Premio Princesa de Asturias on 18 October 2019. On 4 November 2019, she spoke at the Princess of Girona Foundation awards. She spoke in Spanish, Catalan, English, and Arabic.
Leonor carried out her first public solo event on 24 March 2021. She attended a ceremony for the 30th anniversary of the Instituto Cervantes. Leonor made her first official international trip on 16 July 2022. She went with her younger sister, Infanta Sofía, to a soccer match. In December 2022, Leonor visited the Spanish Red Cross headquarters. She met young volunteers from the Red Cross Youth group.
Heir's Oath
On 22 September 2023, the Royal Household announced that Leonor would swear loyalty to the Constitution and the King. This is required by the Spanish Constitution when the heir turns 18. This act officially declared her as the heir to the Spanish throne.
On 31 October 2023, her 18th birthday, the ceremony began. The royal family traveled from the Zarzuela Palace to the Palacio de las Cortes. There, Princess Leonor took her oath in front of the Spanish Parliament. The Parliament gave her a long ovation.
After this, the royal family went to the Royal Palace. Her father, King Felipe, gave her the Collar of the Order of Charles III. This is the highest civil honor in Spain. After a lunch, the official event ended. The Royal Family then had a private celebration at the Royal Palace of El Pardo. Many family members attended this private event.
Official Engagements
On 6 January 2024, Leonor attended the Pascua Militar for the first time. This is a Spanish military celebration that is over 200 years old. She attended not only as the heir but also as a member of the Spanish Armed Forces. In May 2024, she attended a ceremony marking 40 years since the 44th class of the General Military Academy swore allegiance to the Spanish flag.
On 12 July 2024, Leonor made her first official foreign visit. The Portuguese president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, invited her to visit Portugal. On this trip, Leonor focused on protecting the environment and oceans. She visited the Lisbon Oceanarium and attended a debate about ocean protection. She also visited the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Palace. President Rebelo de Sousa awarded Leonor the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ.
On 25 October 2024, she attended the Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony as an adult for the first time. She was in charge of giving the speech to the winners. She also officially closed the event and announced the awards for the next year. This was the sixth awards ceremony she had attended.
Titles and Awards
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When Leonor's father became king, she became the next in line to the Spanish throne. She inherited the traditional titles of the heir. These include Princess of Asturias, Princess of Girona, and Princess of Viana. She is also the Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera, and Lady of Balaguer. Leonor is the 36th person to hold the title of Princess of Asturias since it was created in 1388.
Leonor is usually called "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Asturias." However, in different parts of Spain, other titles might be added. For example, when she visits areas that were once part of the Crown of Aragon, she might be called "Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias and Girona."
Honours and Awards
As the heir to the throne, Leonor is the head of the Princess of Asturias Foundation and the Princess of Girona Foundation. Before she turned 18, her father handled these duties.
Her father also gave her the Order of the Golden Fleece on 30 January 2018. On 31 October 2023, she received the Collar of the Order of Charles III. On the same day, the Spanish Parliament gave her their Gold Medals. On 3 July 2024, she was awarded a Grand Cross of Military Merit. On 16 July 2025, she received a Grand Cross of Naval Merit. On 12 July 2024, the President of Portugal awarded her the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ.
Coat of Arms
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1st, Gules a castle three-towered Or, masoned Sable ajoure Azure (for Castile); 2nd, Argent a lion rampant Purpure, armed Gules and crowned Or (for León); 3rd, Or four pallets Gules (for Aragon); 4th, Gules a cross, saltire and orle of chains all linked Or, an emerald Proper for Navarre; Enté en point, Argent a pomegranate Proper seeded Gules, supported, sculpted and leafed in two leaves Vert (for Granada); Inescutcheon, Azure with three fleurs-de-lys Or, bordured Gules (for Bourbon).
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Special Coins
On 31 October 2023, the Royal Mint of Spain made a special gold and silver coin. This coin shows Leonor and celebrates her turning 18, which was a very important event.
See also
In Spanish: Leonor de Borbón para niños
- Princess of Asturias Awards
- Politics of Spain
