Leonor (Princess of Asturias) Height, Age, Family, Biography

Some Lesser Known Facts About Leonor

• She was born three weeks before her due date to Felipe and Letizia, the Prince and Princess of Asturias.

• She was delivered by caesarean section because the labour did not progress.

• As the daughter of the future king, she was called an ‘infanta’ and was second in line to the Spanish throne.

• The royal family announced her birth to the media by text message.
  

  A childhood picture of Leonor

• Soon after the birth, her umbilical cord stem cells were sent to a private blood bank in Arizona, USA, which caused debate in Spain because the blood bank was private and located outside the country.

• On 7 November 2005, her parents left the hospital with her.

• She was baptised on 14 January 2006 at the Zarzuela Palace by the Archbishop of Madrid. The water used for the baptism came from the Jordan River, and Spanish royals had used the baptismal font for centuries.

• Her grandparents, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía were her godparents.
  

  Baby Leonor being baptised on 14 January 2006 at the Zarzuela Palace by the Archbishop of Madrid

• When she was an infant, she had a small red spot (angioma) on her nose, which faded away later.

• Being the daughter of the Prince of Asturias, she received the title ‘Her Royal Highness Infanta Doña Leonor.’ She is also known as ‘Her Royal Highness The Princess of Asturias.’

• She received several traditional titles, such as Princess of Asturias, Princess of Girona, Princess of Viana, Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera, and Lady of Balaguer

• She is the 36th person to be called Princess of Asturias since the title was created in 1388.

• In former Crown of Aragon regions, she is called ‘Princess of Asturias and Girona.’ and in Navarre, she is called ‘Princess of Asturias and Viana.’

• As the heir to the throne, Leonor is the head of the Princess of Asturias Foundation and the Princess of Girona Foundation.

• Her father handled her the duties when she was a minor.

• She is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, English, French, Galician, Basque, Arabic, and Mandarin.
  

  A childhood picture of Leonor

• In May 2014, Leonor visited the San Javier Air Force base in Murcia.

• On 18 June 2014, her grandfather, King Juan Carlos, signed papers to step down from the throne.

• On 19 June 2014, her father became King Felipe VI, and Leonor became the Princess of Asturias and next in line to the throne.

• In October 2014, a wax statue of Leonor was placed in the Wax Museum in Madrid.
  

  The wax statue of Leonor, placed in the Wax Museum in Madrid

• On 20 May 2015, she had her First Communion.

• According to Spain’s rules, the firstborn son becomes king. Since Leonor is the oldest child and has no brothers, she was first in line.

• If her father were to have a son, Leonor would lose her place as heir and become an infanta again.

• Before her 10th birthday, Leonor was given the Order of the Golden Fleece by her father. Her royal flag and banner were also approved.

• In January 2018, on King Felipe’s 50th birthday, he gave Leonor the official collar of the Golden Fleece in a ceremony at the Royal Palace.
  

  Leonor while receiving the official collar of the Golden Fleece in a ceremony at the Royal Palace (2018)

• In September 2018, she went with her parents to Covadonga for her first event outside the royal palace.

• On 31 October 2018, her 13th birthday, she gave her first public speech, reading the first article of Spain’s Constitution.
  

  Leonor while delivering her first public speech, reading the first article of Spain’s Constitution

• On 18 October 2019, she gave a speech at the Princess of Asturias Awards.

• On 4 November 2019, she spoke at the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards.

• On 24 March 2021, she attended an event at the Cervantes Institute.

• On 16 July 2022, she went on her first international trip without her parents.

• In 2022, she, along with her younger sister, Sofía, attended a women’s football match between Spain and Denmark during the UEFA Women’s Euro championship.

  

  Leonor and her sister during a women’s football match between Spain and Denmark at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022

• In December 2022, Leonor met with young volunteers at the Spanish Red Cross in Madrid.

• On 22 September 2023, the Royal Household announced that Leonor would take an oath to the Constitution and the King on her 18th birthday.

• Reportedly, the oath would confirm her as the official heir to the Spanish throne.

• On 31 October 2023, the ceremony began at 11:00 a.m. on her 18th birthday. The royal family left the Palace of Zarzuela and was accompanied by the Royal Guard through Madrid.

• At the Spanish Parliament building, the royal family received formal honours.

• Leonor took her oath in front of the Spanish Parliament, which gave her a four-minute standing ovation.

  

  Leonor while taking the oath in front of the Spanish Parliament

• After the ceremony, the royal family went to the Royal Palace, where King Felipe gave Leonor the Collar of the Order of Charles III, the highest civil award in Spain.

  

  Leonor while receiving the Collar of the Order of Charles III (Carlos III), Spain’s highest civil honour

• Later, they held a private party at the Royal Palace of El Pardo.

• Other guests included Queen Anne-Marie and Princess Alexia of Greece, Prince Pedro, Duke of Calabria, Bulgarian royal family, and Princess Miriam Ghazi.

• In 2023, Leonor received the training of future commander-in-chief of Spain.

• She joined a 3-year military training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza (army), the Naval Military Academy in Marín (navy), and the General Air Academy in Murcia (air force).
  

  Leonor at the General Military Academy

• In March 2023, the government of Spain officially approved her military training.

• Leonor used both her parents’ last names, Borbón Ortiz, during her military career.

• During her training as a cadet, she did not accept salary or allowance.

• On 19 September 2023, she received her officer’s sword.
  

  Leonor posing with her sword

• On 7 October 2023, she took an oath of loyalty to the Spanish flag.

• On 6 January 2024, Leonor participated in a traditional Spanish military event as a future queen and as a member of the Armed Forces.

• That same month, she competed in fencing and volleyball during a military sports championship. She won a silver medal in mixed team fencing.
  

  Leonor posing with her fencing team

• In June 2024, she completed her army training under Colonel José Gonzálvez Vallés and Lieutenant Colonel Margarita Pardo de Santayana.

• She was trained in the mountains of Soria province.

• On 2 July 2024, she received the Grand Cross of Military Merit (White Decoration).

• On 3 July 2024, she received the Cadet Ensign and the Grand Cross of Military Merit.

• On 12 July 2024, she received the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ from the President of Portugal.

• On the same day, she visited Portugal and met President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
  

  Leonor with the President of Portugal during her first state visit (2024)

• On 23 July 2024, she received Midshipman to enter naval school.

• On 29 August 2024, she started her navy training in Marín and practised sailing in the Pontevedra Estuary.
  

  Leonor in naval uniform

• On 25 October 2024, Leonor attended the Princess of Asturias Awards.

• On 11 January 2025, she went on a five-month sailing trip and visited Latin American countries and New York City.

• During her naval training, she worked in a modern Álvarez de Bazán-class ship.

• She likes travelling to distant places in her free time.
  

  Leonor during a trip to Wales with her parents and sister

• She is an animal lover and has a pet dog. She often shares pictures of her pet on social media.
  

  Leonor with her parents and pet dog

• She has been featured on the cover of many renowned magazines and tabloids.
  

  Leonor on the cover of a magazine