Princess Leonor was joined by the rest of her family during the culmination of a full agenda during their two days in Girona. 

On Wednesday, 5 July, the Spanish royals handed out the Princess of Girona Awards to five young people who have excelled in their respective fields. 

But before the awards ceremony, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía made a first stop at the Camiral Hotel to listen to the presentation of KPMG’s study “Paths that come together: youth and businesses face the challenge of talent.”

The study was elaborated in collaboration with the Princess of Girona Foundation in the context of the latter’s “Talent generation” programme, which, in turn, receives the support of Enagás and the San Pablo CEU University Foundation. 

Still in the same hotel, Their Royal Highnesses then participated in the workshop concert offered by AmplificARTE, a music and education project carried out by Art House Academy in collaboration with the Princess of Girona Foundation. 

The initiative has reached 25 schools throughout Spain and has welcomed more than 16,000 young people just in the 2022-2023 school year. Participants in this project use music as a transversal tool to gain new mechanisms for self-development and emotional wellness. 

And finally, after reuniting with their parents for the final part of the concert, King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía held a meeting with recipients of the Princess of Girona Awards from past editions. 

But the day’s main event began shortly after 7:30 pm when the ceremony started with the entrance of the Royal Family. All four of them had changed into more formal clothes; Queen Letizia was wearing a black H&M midi dress, Infanta Sofía wowed with a silver Moisés Nieto dress with cut-out sleeves; Princess Leonor opted for a Cherubina two-piece set in a vibrant shade of turquoise, which King Felipe matched with his tie. 

After watching the videos and listening to the short interviews given by the five award recipients for 2023 and recipients from previous editions, the four royals were called on stage, joined by state and local authorities, to hand out the prizes. 

The winners for 2023 were: 

• María Dueñas in the arts category for her talent in violin playing
• Rafel Jordá Siquier in the Business category for his work in building satellites
• Marc Schneeberger Pané in the Science category for his work in biomedicine research and education
• Silvia Fernández Cadevall in the Social category for her work in creating and promoting her art therapy foundation for patients with critical or chronic illnesses
• Sabrina Habib in the International category for her work in creating Kidogo, an organisation that provides quality and affordable childcare throughout East Africa 

Marc Schneeberger Pané spoke in representation of all award recipients about how the awards scheme makes it possible for young people to get together, but also of the love that binds them to Girona. 

It was then Princess Leonor’s turn; speaking in three languages (Catalan, Castilian and English), she thanked award recipients for their inspiration and also talked about the future that awaits her:

“I just finished my high school journey, and I am about to begin a new stage of my life with a period of military training. And, beyond my responsibility, I am happy because I know how much the Spaniards value our Armed Forces. It is an important moment in my life, and I feel very eager, and convinced, to continue learning and giving my best encouragement in strengthening values with which I have grown and that today embody our five winners: respect for others, effort, excellence, search for knowledge, temperance, discipline, perseverance. Also, ability to perceive reality and live with the enthusiasm of my age.”

When she finished her speech, Queen Letizia was shown smiling from ear to ear, while Infanta Sofía clapped along enthusiastically. A pride that was also echoed by King Felipe; as soon as he got behind the mic, he pointed at Princess Leonor, who was once again in her seat, and said: “Her father”. 

After announcing that the awards scheme will gain a new international category (it will be split into scientific research and business), he went on to praise the work of the Princess of Girona Foundation in giving young people the tools to cope with whatever challenges at any given moment. 

He also spoke about the need for everyone to work together to ensure young people get more hope for their future: “A constructive and participatory dialogue that is framed within the principles and values of democratic societies, which promote spaces and opportunities for that interaction to be possible. It is in the framework of democracy and freedom that youth have always found more progress and better development. We must give stability and a guarantee of the future to our youth. It is necessary that everyone, in all sectors of our society without exception, be aware that this must be a common goal, a shared will that combines efforts, projects, ideas, always thinking about the Spain of the coming decades.”

His Majesty’s words concluded the awards ceremony, and the royals left the hotel. 

The Princess of Girona Awards are celebrating their 14th anniversary. They were created in 2010, back when they were still the Prince of Girona Awards, to give young people under 35 a chance to get their work recognised, as well as give them, through the foundation, the tools to further explore research, creativity, innovation, solidarity and entrepreneurial talent.