Spain is poised to have its first Queen Regnant in nearly 150 years. Princess Leonor, the 20-year-old eldest daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, is next in line for the throne, marking a historic milestone for the Spanish monarchy.
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Leonor will be Spain’s first reigning queen since Isabella II in the 1800s, ending a recent era dominated by male rulers. The crown has been held by the House of Bourbon since the early 1700s, with the modern monarchy restored in 1975 under King Juan Carlos I, who abdicated in 2014 in favor of Felipe VI.
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As heir apparent, Leonor has followed a rigorous preparation path, beginning with higher education at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, where she earned an International Baccalaureate diploma. Spanish law also requires the heir to complete military training across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Leonor began her military training in August 2023 in Zaragoza with approximately 560 cadets. She then moved on to naval training in Galicia in 2024, participating in a 140-day, 17,000-mile voyage aboard the Spanish Navy’s training ship, Juan Sebastián de Elcano, where she served as a regular crew member. She later trained on the warship Blas de Lezo before returning to Cádiz in July.
In December 2025, Leonor completed her first solo flight in a Pilatus PC-21, becoming the first woman from the Spanish royal family to do so. She is currently undertaking Air Force training at the Air and Space Academy in San Javier, Murcia, where she received a ceremonial welcome.
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The Region of Murcia plans to award her its Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor, recognizing her achievements as the future Commander-in-Chief of Spain’s Armed Forces. These milestones highlight her preparation to take on the full responsibilities of the Spanish throne.