Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
There’s a future queen heading out to sea!
On Wednesday, Princess Leonor, the future queen of Spain, set sail aboard the naval training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano for several months of practical training.
Midshipman Leonor attended a special ceremony at the Port of Cádiz in which it was announced over the loudspeakers that “Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias on board.” The royal will travel for several months aboard the ship learning practical skills in real-world situations.
While she doesn’t disembark until Saturday, at a launch event that her parents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia will both attend, Princess Leonor spent her first day on the ship holding meetings with high-level naval officers and those in charge of her training.
According to the Spanish Royal Court, Princess Leonor met with the Lieutenant Commander and Third Commander of the Ship, as well as the navigation teacher, the maneuver officer, the ensigns and details officer, the internal security officer, the supply officer and the head of studies officer.
Princess Leonor then requested official permission to join in the formation alongside her fellow students. This bout of at-sea training comes on the heels of several months spent at the Naval Military School in Marín. The Juan Sebastián de Elcano will disembark on Saturday.
King Felipe referenced his daughter’s upcoming training at the Pascua Militar ceremony earlier this week, expressing his hope for “An experience, dear Leonor, that will surely remain—as it happened to me (and also to your grandfather)—among your best memories of military training.”
Princess Leonor is currently in the second year of a three-year military training course. The royal spent the past year training with the Spanish Army; and after her year-long stint with the Spanish Navy, will complete a final year with the Spanish Air Force.