Princess Leonor of Spain arrives at navy coaching faculty
Princess Leonor of Spain looked in high spirits today as she arrived at navy school to start the next stage of her military training in Marin on the western coast of Spain.
The future queen, 18, will spend a year training with the navy, before moving onto her final rotation at the General Air Academy.
As she is the heir to the throne, Leonor will one day take the title of Commander in Chief of the armed forces, alongside being the Queen of Spain.
She therefore has to spend three years in each section of defence and has just spent a year at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza.
Today, she looked regal as she proudly donned the crisp white uniform, donning a shirt with epaulettes, which she tucked into a pair of belted black smart trousers.
The 18-year-old will spend a year training with the navy, before moving onto her final rotation at the General Air Academy
The teenager smiled for the cameras as she sported a naval hat along with black boots with a small heel.
Leonor decided to keep her appearance natural and opted to wear minimal makeup, sporting just a hint of mascara.
The heir also pinned her brunette tresses back in a low braided bun, a practical hairstyle to get stuck into her training, along with opting to wear a pair of simple diamond stud earrings.
Snaps from this historic day also show Leonor donning a striking all-white uniform, complete with white shoes, shaking hands and meeting others in the academy.
She will spend the next four months at the school before embarking on the training cruise aboard the Juan Sebastián Elcano, the Spanish Navy training vessel, according to Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia.
Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, is quoted in the outlet saying: ‘I am very proud that the Princess of Asturias is undergoing this military training, which is essential and fundamental because it embodies a series of values, commitment to citizens, loyalty, love for Spain, and leadership that is very important for someone who is going to be the future head of state.’
The Princess is following in the footsteps of her father King Felipe as well as her grandfather Juan Carlos, who all attended military training with every of the three armed services in the country.
But it won’t be easy for Princess Leonor, as she will have her work cut out.
As she is the heir to the throne, Leonor will one day take the title of Commander in Chief of the armed forces, alongside being the Queen of Spain
The teenager smiled for the cameras as she sported a naval hat
She looked regal as she proudly donned the crisp white uniform, donning a shirt with epaulettes, which she tucked into a pair of belted black smart trousers
She will spend the next four months at the school before embarking on the training cruise aboard the Juan Sebastián Elcano, the Spanish Navy training vessel
Princess Leonor listens intently to another member of the naval school as she settles in
The heir also pinned her brunette tresses back in a low braided bun, a practical hairstyle to get stuck into her training, along with opting to wear a pair of simple diamond stud earrings
Princes Leonor of Spain looked regal in her white naval uniform as she starts her first day at the academy
She has to spend three years in each section of defence and has just spent a year at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza
Before she started her three-year training, Leonor revealed her enthusiasm for becoming a cadet last year
Snaps from this historic day also show Leonor donning a striking all-white uniform, complete with white shoes, shaking hands and meeting others in the academy
Leonor decided to keep her appearance natural and opted to wear minimal makeup, sporting just a hint of mascara
Navy Captain Pedro Cardona Suanzes, director-commandant of the Naval Military School in Marín, also described the daily routine of the midshipmen to the publication.
He said that their life is ‘non-stop’ adding that there are constant tasks for them to do, from the minute they wake up until they go to bed in the evening.
The captain said the day starts at 6.45am. They then shower, make their beds and go and get breakfast all before 7.30am – when their white uniforms are inspected to be ‘spotless’.
During the week, all students must be in bed before 10.45pm to ensure they get their full eight hours of sleep.
On weekends, pupils are allowed to wake up two hours later than usual, at 8.45am and first-years are allowed to stay up until 1.30am in the morning.
Before she started her three-year training, Leonor revealed her enthusiasm for becoming a cadet at the Princesa de Girona Foundation award ceremony in Girona last year.
She said at the time: ‘I have just finished high school and I am about to start a new stage with a period of military training.
‘I am happy because I know how much the Spanish value our armed forces… it is an important moment in my life and I feel very excited and determined to continue learning and giving my best effort.’
