Spain’s People’s Princess! How Leonor won her country’s heart – as royal fans descend on Madrid for her historic 18th birthday celebrations
From her charismatic way with the crowd to her elegant sense of style, it’s no surprise that ‘Lenormania’ has taken Spain by storm ahead of their princess’s 18th birthday today.
This morning, the young royal family – whose formal title is Princess of Astorias – swore allegiance to the Spanish Constitution in the House of Representatives in Madrid.
Despite the country’s political divisions, reports from Spain suggest the nation is largely united behind the young princess, who is currently completing her military training in her role as a Cadet Borbon.
While she was studying at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, the royal family kept her appearances to a minimum.
However, since taking on her new military role, she has slowly stepped into the spotlight, causing her popularity to skyrocket.
Princess Leonor, 18, arrives at the House of Representatives in Madrid this morning ahead of her swearing-in
According to El Espanol newspaper, Princess Leonor is currently the most popular member of the Spanish royal family, even beating her father, King Felipe, to the title.
At the Princesa de Asturias Awards in Oviedo, Spain last week, the Princess acknowledged how important today’s events are for her future role as head of state.
She said: ‘I fully understand and am aware of what my duty is and what my responsibilities entail.’
As her parents, 16-year-old sister Infanta Sofia and other family members looked on, she told the crowd it would be an “honor” to swear in the Spanish constitution on her 18th birthday.
The lady-in-waiting added: “I fully understand and am aware of what my duty is and what my responsibilities entail.”
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.
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.
Pictured: Members of Spain’s Guardia Civil patrol outside the House of Commons ahead of Princess Leonor’s ceremony
In the photo: On the occasion of this occasion, the portrait on the occasion of Princess Leonor’s 18th birthday appears on flags in Madrid
Coffee mugs with a photo of Spain’s Crown Princess Leonor are for sale in a shop in central Madrid
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.
Fernando Rayón, professor of political information at CEU San Pablo University, said Euro news that the Spanish royal family ‘has the timing right’ with Princess Leonor’s recent appearances.
The expert said: ‘During her studies, the princess was very reserved in her appearance.
‘The image that Leonor gives is that she is where she should be. She makes no statements, there are no gratuitous images of her at home or at a party. That’s why people see her for who she is: the future queen and head of state.’
Lenor’s busy day of celebration began when the lady-in-waiting took an oath before the Cortes Generales to retain the Magna Carter as successor to the head of state.
Ahead of today’s ceremony, members of the Spanish Civil Guard were on patrol outside the House of Commons, where the legislative chambers and the Senate are located.
The Royal Standard flags were hung from every window of the second floor of the historic building, as well as a larger one above the main entrance.
Pictured: Large numbers of royal fans gather in Puerta del Sol Square to watch Princess Leonor’s swearing-in ceremony
In the photo: inside the House of Representatives in Madrid, where the swearing-in ceremony will take place this morning
Princess Leonor swears allegiance to the Spanish Constitution in the Spanish Parliament on the day of her 18th birthday
Last night, the city of Madrid released a new official portrait of the Princess ahead of her swearing-in.
In the photo, the royal is wearing a casual yet chic blue V-neck sweater with a tail in the distance. Leonor opted for minimal make-up and wore her dark blonde hair down.
Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida shared the photo and invited the public to join the festivities to celebrate the coming of age of the future queen.
This morning the image appeared on flags on lampposts across the city as royal fans arrived in their thousands to take part in the festivities.
In addition to Leonor taking an oath to the Spanish Constitution, the mayor has invited residents to participate in the festivities.
Volunteers will distribute more than 7,500 Spanish flags throughout the city for residents to wave in appreciation for Leonor.
Princess Leonor told an audience last week at the Princesa de Asturias Awards, held in her name, that she ‘understands her duty’
The Spanish heir to the throne recently started a three-year military training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza
To mark the occasion, shops in the country’s capital have also started selling royal memorabilia, including coffee mugs with Leonor’s face printed on the side.
The Magna Carta ceremony marks 37 years since Leonor’s father, King Felipe, took the oath on January 30, 1986 at the same Palacio de las Cortes de la Carrera de San Jerónimo.
Later today, a municipal police honor guard, chaired by the Vice Mayor of Madrid, including the cavalry squadron and the municipal police band, will be deployed in Plaza de la Villa.
José Luis Martínez-Almeida said: ‘As Mayor of the capital of Spain, I invite you to take an active part so that Madrid is restored to its former glory and this historic ceremony is an eloquent icon of the loyalty and affection that we residents of Madrid feel . to the Royal Family in general and to Mrs. Leonor in particular on this special day of her life.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain pictured with baby Princess Leonor, shortly after her birth
Leonor is seen as a baby sitting on the steps of the palace in one of the many new photos shared by the palace
The royal – now 18 – greeted her well-wishers last October, while she was still a student in Wales
‘May our streets and balconies be decorated with the colors of the national flag, “a symbol that unites all Spaniards”, as the King recalled in the recent flag oath of the Princess of Asturias in Zaragoza.’
When Leonor becomes queen, she will be the country’s first female regent since 1868.
Recent changes to primogeniture rules mean that we can also expect queens on the throne in a number of European countries, including Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway. Queen Margrethe is currently sovereign over Denmark.
The law has not changed in Spain, where the monarchy still gives preference to the first-born boy.
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 release a limited edition 40 euro coin to mark its 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 18-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.