Spain’s Future Queen: Princess Leonor Prepares to Reign After 150 Years

Spain is preparing to welcome its first queen regnant in over 150 years. Princess Leonor, the 20-year-old daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, is being groomed to ascend the throne, a historic moment for the nation.

The last queen to rule Spain was Queen Isabella II, whose reign ended in 1868. Since then, the country has only had kings. Princess Leonor, as the heir presumptive, will break this long tradition.

Her preparation for the role extends far beyond royal etiquette. Following Spanish law, the heir to the throne must complete military training, and Princess Leonor has embraced this duty with exceptional seriousness.

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After completing the International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, she began an intensive military journey. In August 2023, she started army training in Zaragoza. The following year, she joined the Spanish Navy, serving as a crew member on the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano for a demanding six-month voyage spanning 17,000 nautical miles.

She also served on the modern frigate Blas de Lezo and made history in December 2025 by completing her first solo flight in a PC-21 aircraft for the Air Force. She is the first woman in the Spanish royal family to achieve this.

Princess Leonor is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, English, French, Arabic, and Mandarin, equipping her with a global perspective. Analysts see her extensive and diverse training as preparation for a modern, informed, and hands-on monarch who will play a significant role in European royal diplomacy.

FAQs About Spain’s Future Queen

1. Why is Princess Leonor becoming queen a historic event?
She will be the first queen to rule Spain since Queen Isabella II was deposed in 1868—a gap of over 150 years where only kings have reigned.

2. What special training has she completed?
She has undergone full military training in all three branches: the Army, the Navy (including a long sea voyage), and the Air Force, where she completed a solo flight.

3. How old is Princess Leonor?
She is 20 years old (born in 2005) and is the elder daughter of the current King Felipe VI.

4. How many languages does she speak?
She is fluent in six languages: Spanish, Catalan, English, French, Arabic, and Mandarin.