The best news for Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía has already been confirmed and marks a new chapter in their lives. Felipe and Letizia's daughters are getting ready to say goodbye after sharing a summer full of closeness, laughter, and confidences that will remain in the memory of the royal family.
The end of summer thus becomes a turning point for both sisters, who face a horizon full of personal and academic challenges. What will this farewell be like that will keep them apart for so long, and what does it mean for them?
Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía get ready for a new farewell
Leonor and Sofía's lives have changed radically since they stopped living together in Zarzuela to pursue their own projects. The crown princess began her military training, following in her father's footsteps, while Sofía finished her school years in Wales.
This summer, however, has allowed them to recover family moments, both in Mallorca and during their visit to Greece. There, together with Queen Letizia and King Felipe, they enjoyed peaceful days that strengthened their bond before a new separation. However, everyone knew that the days of living together were numbered and that September would bring with it an inevitable farewell.
This will be the last weekend that Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía spend together before resuming their respective paths. What is presented as the great news for both is nothing other than the confirmation that their futures are already underway, even if it means saying goodbye again.
Meanwhile, Leonor will return to San Javier to continue her military training at the General Air and Space Academy. On the other hand, Sofía will head to Lisbon to begin her university years at Forward College. Two different destinations that reflect the diversity of paths that shape their lives.
The military challenge of Princess Leonor in San Javier
Princess Leonor faces the third and final phase of her military preparation. After having spent time in Zaragoza and Marín, she now faces life at the Air Academy. In this environment, she will be just another cadet, sharing discipline, training, and lessons with her peers.
Having become a second-year midshipman, she is preparing to complete a curriculum that includes flight practice and demanding physical preparation. This journey will culminate in July 2026, when King Felipe VI will bestow upon her the Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit, a recognition reserved for those who complete that demanding cycle with honor.
Beyond academics, this military path symbolizes a clear message. Leonor is being trained in a comprehensive way to become the first head of state prepared on land, sea, and air. This milestone makes her a role model among European royals.
The university adventure of Infanta Sofía in Lisbon
Meanwhile, Infanta Sofía is beginning a very different stage. In Lisbon, she will enter the university world with a political science and international relations program. This three-year academic plan will later take her to Paris and Berlin, completing a top-level international education.
Sofía will live in the Chiado neighborhood, a cultural and bohemian enclave where she will live with students of different nationalities. Forward College is committed to active teaching and personalized support, a model that seeks to enhance the creativity and leadership of its students.
With this choice, Sofía shows her own profile, focused on global challenges and diplomacy. Her decision also symbolizes the Spanish royal family's openness to international environments and cutting-edge educational experiences.
The next meeting of Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía
Despite the physical separation, those around them agree in pointing out that Leonor and Sofía keep "a close and wonderful relationship." Distance has never been an obstacle for their bond, since they keep in constant contact and reunite with palpable excitement.
The next time they will see each other already has a set date: October 24, at the Princess of Asturias Awards. Leonor will be the main host of the ceremony, while Sofía will attend to support her as she always has. This is something that shows that they are much more than sisters: they are friends and confidants.
The farewell of Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía marks the beginning of a different time for both, full of challenges and learning. For them, waiting almost two months may seem eternal, but each reunion becomes a reason to celebrate. Even though this farewell hurts, both accept it with maturity, knowing that it is the price of pursuing their dreams.