MADRID – On October 31, Princess Leonor, the eldest daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, will swear allegiance to the constitution in Parliament. This historic moment will take place on her 18th birthday.
It follows a meeting between Francina Armengol, the President of Parliament, Pedro Rollán, the President of the Senate, the government, and the royal family.
A day full of symbolism
According to a statement from the Royal House, Princess Leonor will receive the Order of Charles III after the plenary session of Parliament and the Senate. This ceremony will take place at the Royal Palace and will be attended by state dignitaries. This will be followed by a lunch with representatives of the highest authorities.
Family and tradition
In addition to the official ceremonies, a private family celebration is also planned at the Palace of El Pardo. Members of the Royal Family and the respective families of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will be present here.
King Felipe VI and his own oath
This is not the first time that an heir to the Spanish throne has taken this oath. King Felipe VI did this 37 years ago, on January 30, 1986, in the presence of his father, King Juan Carlos I. This ceremony marked a historic moment, as it was the first time an heir swore allegiance to the Constitution.
Absence of Juan Carlos I
Although he will not participate in the official ceremonies, King Emeritus Juan Carlos I will attend the private family celebration. Since leaving for Abu Dhabi in August 2020, he has refrained from participating in official royal events.
The future of Princess Leonor
Since August, Princess Leonor has been undergoing a three-year course at the Military Academy of Zaragoza. This training is an essential step in her preparation to become head of state. On September 5, she and her fellow students were made knights, for the men, and cadet, for the women, marking their military formation.
Also read: Spanish Crown Princess becomes a soldier of Spain
