Leonor during the visit with her family to the Alfabia Gardens in Mallorca, on July 31, 2023. (Europa Press)
Throughout her life, the eldest daughter of Felipe VI and Letizia, Princess Leonor, has been in constant preparation for the position that, as the future heir to the Crown of Spain, awaits her. The great public projection and institutional relevance of her profession demands that Infanta Sofía’s sister have extensive training in different aspects.
One of them is the world of the military. With the idea of obtaining the necessary knowledge and adequate preparation to take charge of the supreme command of the Spanish Armed Forces, on August 17, Leonor will begin her training at the Military Academy of Zaragoza.
Starting this Thursday, Queen Sofia’s eldest granddaughter will become ‘Lady Bourbon Cadet’ to begin her military training as a soldier. The future heir to the throne of Spain will go through the academies of the three Armies, Land, Navy and Air and Space, with the idea of obtaining the basic knowledge of each of them.
You may be interested in: Changes in the Royal House: this is the reason why Queen Letizia will lose the role of regent in favor of Leonor
ZARAGOZA, 07/07/2023.- Kings Felipe and Letizia together with Princess Leonor (i) and the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles (d), during the delivery of dispatches to the new Army officers, this Friday at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza. EFE/ Javier Cebollada
Princess Leonor will hold the position of ‘Lady Cadet’ until the flag is sworn in. According to the information presented on the website of the Military Academy of Zaragoza, normally, in the month of October, future militants receive the delivery of the saber, a symbol of Official status, with which the title of ‘Knight or Lady Cadet is concretized. ‘.
The daily life of a ‘Knight or Lady Cadet’ is based on a series of characteristics that are considered necessary to achieve the effectiveness of the Armed Forces, such as accuracy in actions, rules of discipline, hierarchy and unity. . The eldest daughter of Felipe and Letizia will receive instruction, training and physical training, but will also have the obligation to embrace the ideals of honor, courage and loyalty, collected in a decalogue of ten fundamental points that is delivered at the beginning of the training.
Decalogue in which ten fundamental points are presented that mark the daily life of the military.
Students must learn the Decalogue and assimilate its content with the idea that they are aware of the fundamental military virtues that will mark their way of proceeding throughout their military life. Once the delivery of sabers is finished, the next act in which the Knights or Ladies Cadets will participate will be their presentation to the Virgen del Pilar.
Leonor’s second year of training will take place at the Naval School of Marín in Pontevedra, where she will acquire the title of Midshipman. As she details on her website, the Spanish Navy, whose motto is ‘Brave by Land and Sea’, is considered one of the oldest elite units in the world.
During her training at the Naval Academy, the Princess of Asturias will be trained in technical knowledge, practices in the exercise of command and ethical values to acquire the ability to represent Spain. Thus, the students who join its ranks perform operational, technical, logistical, administrative and teaching functions. Following in the footsteps of Felipe VI, the Princess of Asturias, who will participate in the 96th cruise of the training ship, will make the crossing on the Juan Sebastián Elcano, just as her father did in 1987 for six months.
ZARAGOZA, 07/07/2023.- Princess Leonor during the delivery of dispatches to the new officers of the Army, this Friday at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza. EFE/ Javier Cebollada
The third year of their training will take place at the General Air Academy of San Javier, in Murcia. There, Leonor will join with the title of Alférez Alumna. During her stay at this Academy, she will acquire knowledge from the parachuting school, aeronautical training and will receive classes in three different types of flight, such as hunting and attack, air transport, military and helicopter.
As explained by the Minister of Defense Margarita Robles, upon completing her training, the Princess of Asturias will become a Lieutenant of the Land and Air Armies and a Naval Ensign of the Navy. Margarita Robles has been proud that in the near future “the supreme command of the Armed Forces will be a woman.” In fact, her incorporation into Leonor’s Army will give greater visibility to the presence of women in it, since it coincides with the thirtieth anniversary of the arrival of the first female soldiers.
Keep reading:
The Bourbon family tradition that Leonor and Sofía do not fulfill at Letizia’s wishThis is Leonor’s debut at the military academy: supported by the kings and dressed by a Córdoba brand Leonor’s evolution at the Princess of Girona Awards: from girl to future queen