Princess Leonor of Spain is set to embark on a chapter of her military training as she prepares to join the crew of the Spanish Navy's training ship, the Juan Sebastián de Elcano. On January 11, 2025, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will travel to Cádiz to preside over the official farewell ceremony for their daughter, marking a momentous occasion in the princess's life, according to OK Diario.
Just days before the departure, Princess Leonor participated in the annual Pascua Militar event on January 6, 2025, alongside King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. This marked her second consecutive year attending the ceremony, as reported by El Mundo. During his speech at the event, King Felipe VI addressed his daughter directly about her upcoming journey. "An experience, dear Leonor, that will very likely remain, as it happened to me and also to your grandfather, among your best memories of military training," he said, according to El Observador.
The journey aboard the Juan Sebastián de Elcano is a longstanding tradition within the Spanish royal family. Both King Felipe VI and his father, King Juan Carlos I, undertook similar voyages during their military training.
Princess Leonor will board the Juan Sebastián de Elcano along with 75 other cadets. The training ship will cover more than 17,000 nautical miles, visiting ports across eight countries, including Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Panama, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and the United States, according to La Razón.
The voyage is not only a component of Princess Leonor's military education but also serves as an opportunity to strengthen Spain's diplomatic relations. The Juan Sebastián de Elcano acts as an itinerant embassy, supporting Spain's foreign action in the countries it visits. "The training cruise not only trains officers but also people who understand the value of teamwork, resilience, and leadership," said Commander Luis Carreras-Presas, according to El Economista.
Throughout the journey, Princess Leonor will train alongside her fellow cadets. She will share a cabin with three classmates, equipped with four bunks and a shared bathroom, requiring her to adapt to confined spaces and variable temperatures. La Razón reported that she will have to organize her small space for daily clothes while participating in all aspects of daily life aboard the ship, without any privileges due to her royal status.
The cadets will study up to 18 different subjects, including navigation, astronomy, meteorology, amphibious operations, combat support and services, maritime law, tactics, and weapon systems. They will also engage in practical exercises such as sail maneuvers and standing watch. "From getting up in the morning to going to bed at night, they always have a task to complete," said Pedro Cardona Suanzes, head of the Naval Academy in Marín, as reported by Münchner Merkur.
Princess Leonor's participation in the training cruise underscores the importance that the Crown attaches to military training and knowledge of the State institutions. "This period of instruction will contribute to her personal and professional development, strengthening her commitment to serving Spain," stated the Royal House, according to OK Diario.
The voyage will include stops at international ports. The Juan Sebastián de Elcano will depart from Cádiz and make its first stops in the Canary Islands, docking in Santa Cruz de Tenerife from January 17 to 20, 2025, and in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from January 21 to 23, 2025, as noted by Vanitatis. The ship will then cross the Atlantic, with a first stop in Salvador de Bahía, Brazil, where it will be from February 14 to February 19, 2025, coinciding with the end of carnival week, according to Vanitatis.
Throughout the journey, Princess Leonor will experience life at sea firsthand, embracing the challenges and disciplines of naval life. "The sea is a permanent learning and challenge, sometimes unforgiving and harsh, with no room for excuses," emphasized King Felipe VI, as reported by El Observador.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq