Casa Real is experiencing days of maximum anticipation for Princess Leonor and the difficult step she is about to take in her life. Just hours away from facing an unprecedented experience, the heir to the throne is preparing for a radical change in her routine.
The atmosphere in Zarzuela is filled with tension and pride. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia know that their daughter will go through a demanding stage, without privileges or concessions. Will Leonor be able to overcome this new challenge and show the strength that is expected of her?
Princess Leonor faces the toughest stage of her military training
Since she came of age, Princess Leonor has taken on an increasingly intense public responsibility. Her institutional agenda has grown in parallel with her military training, which began in Zaragoza and continued in Marín.
The summer has been a brief respite. After a few days with her family, the princess has returned to the discipline that will shape her path. Now she faces the final and most complex chapter of her military training, where she will have to show discipline, endurance, and leadership.
The path is neither casual nor improvised. Her father, Felipe VI, and her grandfather, Juan Carlos I, went through the same path of sacrifice and effort. Now it is Leonor who, in the name of family tradition, must prove that she is ready for the future that awaits her.
Next September 1 will mark a turning point for Princess Leonor. Tomorrow she will begin her stay at the General Air and Space Academy in San Javier (Murcia), considered the most demanding of the three branches. There she will live as just another cadet, subject to a strict regime and unbreakable discipline.
A personal challenge marked by discipline and coexistence
The challenge that begins in Murcia will not be only physical, but also emotional. Living with other cadets in such a strict environment is a test that measures the ability to adapt and be resilient.
Casa Real itself has emphasized that Leonor will not receive any special treatment. She will sleep in shared rooms with other female students and use communal bathrooms. This is a clear contrast to the comfort of Zarzuela, which, however, is part of the learning process that will forge her character.
Each student has a small space: bed, wardrobe, desk, and shelf. The bathrooms are at the end of the hallway and the showers are shared. Added to this are the everyday items the Academy recommends bringing, from mosquito repellent to a sewing kit.
Reveille will wake her at 6:30 a.m., followed by classes from early in the morning. The days will stretch into the afternoon with physical training, theoretical lessons, and practical exercises that test both body and mind. Dinner is set for 8:30 p.m. and absolute silence begins at 10:30 p.m., a lifestyle that leaves little room to breathe.
The most desired challenge for Princess Leonor will be flying a Pilatus training aircraft
The highlight of this course will be flight training. Before reaching the cockpit of a real aircraft, Leonor will have to go through a long learning process. She will start with CBT and FTD simulators, digital and almost exact replicas of the Pilatus PC-21, with a 180-degree view.
Only after many hours will she be able to fly with an instructor. The first flights aim to build confidence, but the real test will come with mastering maneuvers, instruments, and formation training. Not all cadets manage to complete this path, and the Academy never guarantees deadlines or achievements.
The major milestone, her first solo flight, depends on her progress. The demands are at their highest and the decision rests with the instructors. If Leonor manages to overcome it, she will join the tradition of her father and grandfather, who also piloted military aircraft in their youth.
Casa Real is experiencing a decisive moment with Princess Leonor beginning the toughest stage of her military training. Her time at the General Air and Space Academy will not only test her endurance, but will also solidify her role as heir to the throne. The challenge ahead will shape her character and raise new questions about the future of the Spanish monarchy.