Princess Leonor of Spain says she ‘understands her duty’ in a speech ahead of her 18th birthday as she prepares to one day become Queen

Princess Leonor told the Spanish public in an impressive speech this weekend that she understands her duty.

The heir apparent, 17, addressed an audience at the Princesa de Asturias Awards in Oviedo, Spain on Friday evening, where she assured them that she takes her responsibility very seriously.

The eldest daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia addressed the crowd just days before she was due to celebrate her 18th birthday on October 31. Her speech also came after she started military training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza.

As her parents, 16-year-old sister Infanta Sofia and other relatives looked on, she told the crowd it would be an “honor” to swear in the Spanish constitution on her 18th birthday at the end of this month.

The lady-in-waiting added: “I fully understand and am aware of what my duty is and what my responsibilities entail.”

Elsewhere in her speech, the Spanish princess praised the winners of the Princesa de Asturias Award, Hello! reports.

In particular, she noted the career achievements of three-time Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, who was honored at the ceremony.

Leonor said she strives to identify with the award winners, despite many of them being decades older than her, because of the incredible things they have achieved.

The Princesa de Asturias Awards take place every year in the Spanish principality of Asturias. The ceremony recognizes people for their outstanding work in science, public affairs, media and humanities.

The Spanish heir to the throne recently started a three-year military training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza

This year’s most notable recipient was Hollywood royalty Streep, who was honored for her contributions to film throughout her sensational career.

Although Princess Leonor has addressed the awards presented in her name three times before, her latest speech marks a shift towards greater responsibility for the future Spanish monarch.

The royal and her sister Infanta Sophia, 16, have taken on a bigger role in the spotlight as they get older, with Leonor often taking center stage during family outings.

Unlike Prince Christian of Denmark – who is just two weeks older than Leonor and also a future European monarch – the princess’s 18th birthday celebrations will be decidedly low-key.

However, there will be some fuss: the Royal Mint of Spain will issue a limited edition of 40 euros to mark her anniversary. Up to one million of the coins will be put into circulation by the Bank of Spain in the last three months of this year.

The coin weighs 18 grams and is made of a mixture of silver and copper with the image ‘Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias’ engraved on it.

The 17-year-old is currently undergoing military training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza.

The school has been dubbed the Spanish equivalent of Sandhurst and follows a strict timetable, but the princess can return home at weekends when she is not manoeuvring.

Before starting the academy, she had her first engagement without her parents when she left for Gironda with sister Sofia.