Princess Leonor has officially returned to Spain after completing one of the most demanding phases of her training. The heir to the throne successfully finished the training cruise aboard the Juan Sebastián de Elcano training ship. The big moment has arrived, and with it, a key stage in her career as a future head of state comes to a close.
According to the EFE agency, Leonor de Borbón disembarked this Monday after her last stop in New York. It has been five months of international navigation, during which the princess has shared military life with the rest of the midshipmen. During that time, she has shown discipline, endurance, and commitment to her institutional future.
The Royal Household has confirmed with satisfaction the princess's return to national territory. It's a significant piece of news, not only for what it represents symbolically, but also for its meaning within the training calendar. Although she will be able to spend a few days with her family, she will soon embark on a new, highly demanding military experience.
The next stop in her training will be aboard the Blas de Lezo frigate, a highly sophisticated combat ship. This vessel is already en route to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where she will soon join the maneuvers. It is a ship equipped with the most advanced anti-aircraft technology, which will mark a new challenge for the young Borbón Ortiz.
The royal household provides all the details
According to the Royal Household, Blas de Lezo is one of the jewels of the Spanish Navy in terms of tactical capabilities. It is equipped with the AGEIS combat system, which allows it to operate effectively even in complex coastal waters. In addition, it has the SPY1-D multifunction radar, which enables precise and early threat detection.
This type of frigate can carry a LAMPS MK-II helicopter, equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and weaponry. Its main mission is the detection and neutralization of threats both on the surface and underwater. In this context, Leonor will take on new responsibilities within a unit of the highest operational level.
The Blas de Lezo frigate is part of the Álvaro de Bazán class and is integrated into the 31st surface squadron. It was built by Navantia and delivered to the Navy in 2004, becoming a symbol of military modernization. Its battle flag was delivered in Bilbao and its sponsor was Princess Ana of France.
With her time aboard this ship, Leonor will continue preparing to lead the Armed Forces with knowledge and experience. This is not symbolic training, but a rigorous process that she is following with determination. Each stage is designed to provide her with real and high-level technical skills.
The big moment for Princess Leonor
The stage aboard the Juan Sebastián de Elcano is not completely over, as the princess will board it again on July 3. It will be in Gijón, from where the last part of the training cruise will resume. The final end is scheduled for July 13, bringing to a close an experience that has marked an entire class of midshipmen.
The Royal Household considers this military journey essential for her institutional future. Military training has been a tradition among heirs to the throne, but never before had a woman undertaken this path with such visibility. The princess is setting a historic precedent in the Spanish monarchy.
During these months, Leonor has not only strengthened her physical and technical preparation, but also her public profile. She has shown commitment and responsibility, which has earned her praise both inside and outside the military sphere. For many, her discreet yet consistent attitude is consolidating her image as a future queen.
Now, with her return home, the princess will have a few days of rest before facing the next challenge. She will be able to reunite with her parents and her sister, in a well-deserved break after months of discipline at sea. But the official calendar doesn't stop, and her training process will continue with the same intensity.
Princess Leonor's return means much more than a temporary stop in her academic calendar. It represents a symbolic moment that confirms her progressive integration into the institutional role that awaits her. Every decision, every destination, and every uniform brings her one step closer to the throne of Spain.