Princess Leonor of Spain celebrated her 18th birthday last year, a milestone marking her transition into adulthood but also into full-time royal life.
Born in 2005, the Princess is the first daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia which means that one day the royal will become Queen of Spain. The royal is also an older sister to Infanta Sofía of Spain, who was born in 2007.
So, where is Princess Leonor now? Well, the young royal has proven to be monumentally popular in Spain with ‘Leonormania’ gripping the nation. After finishing up her schooling at the prestigious UWC Atlantic earlier this year, the Princess enrolled in the General Military Academy where she graduated in July 2024 and became a junior army officer.
Let’s take a look back at her life in the public eye so far, through pictures.
01
2024
As a newly appointed junior army officer herself, it was only a few months ago Princess Leonor went through the same formalities as these young officers.
Her Royal Highness attended an official ceremony at the Naval Military school where she delivered the graduating cohort with their new titles.
02
2024
The Crown Princess looked every bit the future monarch on her first solo official visit to Portugal to meet with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The young royal sought to familiarise herself with her future responsibilities and further strengthen the relationship Spain holds with Portugal.
03
2024
Princess Leonor joined her family to commemorate the XV anniversary of the Princess of Girona Foundation. The Spanish royals met with the award recipients and looked the picture of relaxed regal style.
04
2024
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain were the picture of pride as they watched their eldest daughter graduate from military school.
The King presented the Princess with a badge, officially observing her new status as a junior army officer.
05
2024
To mark the Princess’ birthday, the city of Madrid released an official portrait and will hold a formal ceremony set to be held in the Spanish Parliament during which Princess Leonor will swear allegiance to the Constitution before receiving the medals of Congress and the Senate.
06
2023
When she becomes Queen, Princess Leonor will become Commander in Chief of the armed forces, therefore it was imperative for the young royal to gain military experience. The ultra-glamourous Spanish heir swapped tiaras and ballgowns for a military uniform earlier this year when she enrolled in three years of intense military training at The General Military Academy in Zaragoza, Spain.
07
2022
Princess Leonor embarked on royal engagement late last year where she met with youth volunteers from Red Cross programs. The young royal took a page out of her mother, Queen Letizia’s style book, opting for a burgundy turtleneck and a smart blazer for the occasion.
08
2022
The Princess posed alongside her mother, Queen Letizia of Spain during the Princess of Asturias awards 2022 at the Reconquista Hotel. The Princess of Asturias awards recognises achievements in film-making, theatre, dance, music, photography, painting, sculpture, architecture and other forms of art.
09
2021
In 2021, Princess Leonor returned to study at the United World College of the Atlantic in the UK, the young royal was snapped hugging her parents King Felipe and Queen Letizia during an emotional goodbye. The college has an impressive alumni list including Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Princess Raiyah bint Hussein, daughter of King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan.
10
2019
Princess Leonor of Spain arrives at the Campoamor Theatre ahead of the Princess of Asturias awards ceremony 2019 in this elegant blue dress.
11
2018
The Princess walks alongside her younger sister, Princess Sofía during the National Day Military Parade in 2018.
12
2014
Princess Leonor became the heir to the Spanish throne in 2014 after her grandfather, King Juan Carlos of Spain abdicated on June 2nd after a 39 year reign. Here she is alongside her newly-crowned father, King Felipe VI and mother, Queen Letizia and sister Sofía.
13
2013
Here she is as an eight-year-old on holiday with her family visiting La Granja in Esporles, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
14
2010
Princess Leonor twinned with her sister Sofía in these adorable pink coats for Easter Mass at Palma de Mallorca Cathedral.
15
2008
The Princess was snapped on her first day of School at Colegio Santa Maria de los Rosales hand-in-hand with her parents, Queen Letizia of Spain and King Felipe of Spain.
16
2007
The Princess looks thrilled to have a baby sister, Sofía in 2007. Here she is alongside her parents.
17
2007
Here’s the young royal being held by her grandmother, Queen Sofía of Spain, just days after welcoming a baby sister.
18
2005
Just weeks old, the future Queen appears alongside her royal cousins and grandparents King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía.
19
2005
At just a week old, the Princess, who was future heir to the throne, became a working royal when she appeared in a series of royal portraits.
