Princess Leonor's Military Studies

[Somebody]

First images of Princess of Asturias in the military uniform and receiving her first lessons.

https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencia...eras-fotos-uniforme-militar-academia_3720463/

https://www.hola.com/realeza/20230818237435/primeras-imagenes-princesa-leonor-look-militar/1

https://twitter.com/x/status/1692584528336814128

https://twitter.com/x/status/1692582020038238212

https://twitter.com/x/status/1692579917244805534

She doesn't look that excited... I truly hope she will enjoy her 3 years in the armed forces (and prepared herself physically over at least the last few months) as it is clear she had no choice in the matter at all.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Well, the heir from a "Machista" country is doing far more for equality than the heirs from Nordic countries. Countries that, by the way, usually have disproportionally high prevalence rates of intimate partner violence against women.

Speaking as a Norwegian, I'd prefer to see Ingrid do what Leonor is doing, instead of hearing about her oh-so-wonderful meatless birthday gala and seeing her as a supposed "environmental worker". Elisabeth and Leonor are leading by example.

What have Princesses Leonor and Elisabeth done for gender equality that Princess Ingrid and other Nordic heirs (are you referring to Frederik, Victoria, and/or Christian?) have not done?

Leonor's name tag says "Borbón Ortiz" instead of just "Borbón". That's new, Don Felipe wasn't "Borbón y Grecia":

http://img.irtve.es/contenidos/fotos/felipeVI/029topografia.jpg

Is the use of both surnames now the rule for military name tags?

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Compared to the monarchies of her nordic or dutch counterparts, Leonor will be Head of State in a country with a lot of machismo.

Is there more machismo in Spain than in Sweden, Norway, Belgium or the Netherlands? For what it is worth, the World Economic Forum ranked Spain #18 in its Global Gender Gap Index 2023: lower (more unequal) than Sweden (#5), Norway (#2) and Belgium (#10), but higher than the Netherlands (#28).

From a royal watcher's perspective:

Spain has had more reigning queens than all other surviving European monarchies put together. The kingdom of Navarre alone had six (not counting failed claimants) before its unification with Castile, Aragon, and France.

Spain has acknowledged the right of daughters to inherit the throne ahead of eligible uncles, male cousins and nephews for around a millennium, earlier than any other modern European monarchy. (The British monarchy did not implement that rule until the 18th century.)

Spain is the only nation in the world with an officially recognized nobility in which women and girls have equal rights to men and boys in the succession to titles and headship of noble families.

Spain is probably the only country in Europe where female royalty and nobility currently have the same rights as males to pass (or not) their titles to their spouses and children (with one exception: King Juan Carlos I decided in his 1987 decree that in the future, husbands of queens regnant will only be princes).

I don't recall having these discussions about Elisabeth in Belgium -- and we have no idea if she had issues or not.

At the time that Princess Elisabeth of Belgium enrolled in military training, the percentage of women in the Belgian military (approximately 8%) was even lower than the current percentage (approximately 13%) in Spain.

 

[CrownPrincessJava]

She doesn't look that excited... I truly hope she will enjoy her 3 years in the armed forces (and prepared herself physically over at least the last few months) as it is clear she had no choice in the matter at all.

Did you expect her to be smiles and giggles? This is military training, and it's serious. If they showed her smiling, she would be accused of not taking it seriously.

And as others have said, this level of training should be expected of ALL heirs. No doubt her program is tailored for her

 

[BriarRose]

She doesn't look that excited... I truly hope she will enjoy her 3 years in the armed forces (and prepared herself physically over at least the last few months) as it is clear she had no choice in the matter at all.

She isn't supposed to smile- notice all the other cadets have the same facial expressions. It would be incredibly weird if Leonor was grinning in those photos. They are supposed to have neutral facial expressions at all times.

I had higher expectations for Leonor than her critics, but even I'm pleasantly surprised at how she blends in seamlessly with her fellow cadets. I'm sure she's a bit annoyed to be photographed, as she wants to be just like her classmates, but it's very rewarding to see her uniform. Her countenance reminds me so much of her father.

 

[kathia_sophia]

I agree that she probably feels annoyed to be photographed. Thankfully, its just for today until the "graduation" day before going to Naval Academy (much like what happened in Wales, first-day pictures and graduation pictures).


I just wonder if we'll see her in the military parade in October for National Day? Or perhaps, at Pascoa Militar in January?

 

[Mbruno]

This isn't hundred years ago. There are thousands of women in the military. This need to think of women as weak and not willing to serve in the army is beyond ridiculous.

I don't think that is what the OP meant to say. Instead, the original message was questioning if Leonor is genuinely interested in military life (as I think her father was at her age), or if she is doing it just because she has no choice.

I don't know the answer honestly, but the second option is not implausible.

 

[Somebody]

Did you expect her to be smiles and giggles? This is military training, and it's serious. If they showed her smiling, she would be accused of not taking it seriously.

And as others have said, this level of training should be expected of ALL heirs. No doubt her program is tailored for her

No, I hoped to see something Iike we saw when Elisabeth started her training. Signs of interest. No need for giggles of course, not sure how that would be linked to being excited about your professional training. Seriousness and being excited about this learning opportunity can go hand in hand.

 

[victor1319]

The mood here in the thread is very warlike... Yeah, duty, iron will, emancipation!

But war is ripped off limbs, blood and death! It is not very cool! The limbs of the Princess of Asturias wont be ripped off. She wont get a shot in her cute head. - She is just a mascot. She will not got to war. It is just a show!

 

[MARG]

First images of Princess of Asturias in the military uniform and receiving her first lessons.

https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencia...eras-fotos-uniforme-militar-academia_3720463/

https://www.hola.com/realeza/20230818237435/primeras-imagenes-princesa-leonor-look-militar/1

https://twitter.com/x/status/1692584528336814128

https://twitter.com/x/status/1692582020038238212

https://twitter.com/x/status/1692579917244805534

I'm not particularly worried about Leonor in regards to having problems because she is a woman.

After all the cadets are pretty bright to even being admitted.
Spain is not a backward country and indeed in a number of ways is way more liberal than say the Scandinavian countries.
On top of that Leonor is the Heir and these cadets wish to have a career within the military and as such we must assume that most come with a set of fairly conservative values, in regards to king and country. And as such they may end up having some sort of affiliation with the monarchy - and their future queen... So p*ssing off Leonor by bullying her may not be a wise strategy!

Also, the instructors, staff and cadets are not stupid, they know Leonor has a specific job to do, where she is going to learn about the military but not being a career soldier. So there is little incentive to a b*stard towards her.

So while she may encounter the odd fool, idiot, macho man and no doubt when they are tired and worn out, get told off, I think most are determined to give her and each other a good experience.

Looking at Leonor's serious demeanor reminds me of the faces of all those around me on the first day of my enlistment fifty years ago. I should imagine she is intent on listening carefully and not missing something important. Nobody wants to look foolish on their first day, week or month, etc. I should imagine that Leonor is feeling the pressure just as much as those around her on this first day. For most it is the first time they will have been away from home and are considered adults and thus are responsible for themselves.

I love her hair with its misshapen bun and endless hair clips. On my course, those that had long hair either aced military updo's or chose to cut their hair. On the upside, by the end of the course those with long hair could put their hair up without a mirror and many with no clips at all. This is probably the first time she has had to put her hair up herself and meet a required standard that makes Mama's look like a walk in in the park.

While Spain is known for its machismo, regardless of country, I believe the military is still the last bastion of male chauvinism and there are and will always be men that do not think women belong anywhere near the front but rather should be limited to the ancillary roles such as secretaries, nurses, cooks etc. Most such men will be smart enough to temper their behaviour but there are other women in the class with Leonor and she will be just as aware as them as to the mindset of those men best kept at a distance.

Leonore has begun her real job. She is not at home with Mama and Papa and staying the course is essential, she really cannot fail as her whole future and that of the Spanish monarchy lies with her. Failure is not an option and for that alone she has my best wishes and prayers. Were I her, I'd be looking serious too.

On a personal note, I always thought that her parents purposely (and selfishly) kept her sheltered for far too long. Wales was a godsend but that meant the people of Spain only really saw pictures of her during holidays and wearing incredibly childish clothes not too dissimilar to that of her younger sister. That is an image that Leonor is going to have to change and instead be seen as a strong, positive, capable woman, and a future leader of men and women. No biggie!

 

[Annine]

Well, the heir from a "Machista" country is doing far more for equality than the heirs from Nordic countries. Countries that, by the way, usually have disproportionally high prevalence rates of intimate partner violence against women.

Speaking as a Norwegian, I'd prefer to see Ingrid do what Leonor is doing, instead of hearing about her oh-so-wonderful meatless birthday gala and seeing her as a supposed "environmental worker". Elisabeth and Leonor are leading by example.

It seems even kids has to be compared just like their parents… Estelle and Christian are in school and has not had the possibility to make their choice just yet. Ingrid is joining the military for a year just like Elisabeth, plans after that has not been anounced. Part of the norwegian military take recruits in august other parts in january, Its not like she is taking 5 months vacation but working in a school, and school children and teachers are also an important part of sosciety, just like the military.

So far I dare say no royal has completed such a tough military education as the very nordic Cp Frederik.

 

[Mbruno]

Both attended colleges based on Kurt Hahn philosophy, only different countries.
I guess it will be a bit difficult for Leonor, as a woman, and she won't do the degree as her classmates will do.
Then going to Uni, older than her classmates.
But she is not an ordinary girl.

Reply moved to the "Royal Military Service" forum.

 

[kathia_sophia]

I have some questions about the Military Academy. Since it has boarding school, Leonor will only visit her parents during holidays? Can't she visit them during weekends, if its allowed?


Is it permitted to use a phone during time off, like for example, in the dorms? They have a curfew?


Sorry for these questions, but I'm curious about life at the Military Academy.

 

[Prinsara]

The mood here in the thread is very warlike... Yeah, duty, iron will, emancipation!

But war is ripped off limbs, blood and death! It is not very cool! The limbs of the Princess of Asturias wont be ripped off. She wont get a shot in her cute head. - She is just a mascot. She will not got to war. It is just a show!

Aside from being patronizing and demeaning about whatever happens to Leonor's "cute head" or not, her grandfather had to stop a coup. And he attributes that largely to having known a lot of the participants from the military academy.

She's going to be CINC, not a mascot. She's doing three years. It's not just a show.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

However, the UK has a completely different model of military education since its military academies are not degree-granting institutions as in the United States, Canada, Belgium, and, I believe, Spain.

Yes, the military academies are also degree-granting institutions. See the syllabus page of the General Military Academy (first posted by lula):

Officers, General Corps of the Spanish Army and Civil Guard, admission without previous university degree

The officers training of the General Corps of the Army (in Spanish CGET) includes, on the one hand, general and specific military formation and, on the other, the corresponding to a university degree of the general education system. Besides it provides with training for the branches that are necessary to perform the different tasks assigned.

For this curriculum the corresponding training for the university degree is provided by the University Center of Defense (CUD), located in the grounds of Academy General Militar (AGM), and attached to the University of Zaragoza. The degree qualification offered is Industrial Management Engineering.

Leonor and Elisabeth are exceptions in the sense of getting (partial) military training in the academies without graduating with a degree and then completing a bachelor's degree at a civilian university when they are older. For Leonor, the (full-time) military training phase is just longer than in Elisabeth's case, meaning that she will be even older when she goes to university.

For Ingrid Alexandra, her one year of military training is the standard for conscripts, most of whom are not expected to pursue a military career.

 

[theroyalfly]

The mood here in the thread is very warlike... Yeah, duty, iron will, emancipation!

But war is ripped off limbs, blood and death! It is not very cool! The limbs of the Princess of Asturias wont be ripped off. She wont get a shot in her cute head. - She is just a mascot. She will not got to war. It is just a show!

Unlike other royals and heirs, she's attending military academy for 3 years. Believe me, that's far from cosplaying.

 

[Mbruno]

Aside from being patronizing and demeaning about whatever happens to Leonor's "cute head" or not, her grandfather had to stop a coup. And he attributes that largely to having known a lot of the participants from the military academy.

She's going to be CINC, not a mascot. She's doing three years. It's not just a show.

Reply moved to the "Royal Military Service" forum.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

PS: Maybe we should have a separate forum for military education of heirs to avoid going off-topic in a current events forum like this one.

The General Royal Discussion subforum has these threads:

Royals and the Military
Royal Military Service

Education and Preparation of the Next Royal Generation

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

We don't and will never know if Leonor has a genuine interest in the military.
We have a quote of Queen Letizia that indicates that the 3 year military stint is not what Leonor wanted to do but what her role asks of her.
https://www.hola.com/us/royals/2021...tion-daughter-princess-leonor-future-destiny/

Anyway, I think repeating the way of the father and the grandfather was the safest option, it is a tested way and any deviation from it would have caused huge discussions in the media probably to the disadvantage of Leonors image.

 

[Countessmeout]

We don't and will never know if Leonor has a genuine interest in the military.
We have a quote of Queen Letizia that indicates that the 3 year military stint is not what Leonor wanted to do but what her role asks of her.
https://www.hola.com/us/royals/2021...tion-daughter-princess-leonor-future-destiny/

Anyway, I think repeating the way of the father and the grandfather was the safest option, it is a tested way and any deviation from it would have caused huge discussions in the media probably to the disadvantage of Leonors image.

We have a quote but not about the military.

The quote was from when Leonor was 14. And it was about being queen in general. Not about the military. It was the same answer you'd expect from every royal parent about their heir 'duty before pleasure'. That 'they don't have a choice in their future, they will do their duty to their country'.

Letizia was simply saying asking Leonor what she wants to do in the future is a bit pointless. Her role has been assigned, and she will do her duty as her father and grandfather before her. It is is not a statement at all on her opinion on joining the military academy.

 

[Prinsara]

We don't and will never know if Leonor has a genuine interest in the military.
We have a quote of Queen Letizia that indicates that the 3 year military stint is not what Leonor wanted to do but what her role asks of her.
https://www.hola.com/us/royals/2021...tion-daughter-princess-leonor-future-destiny/

Anyway, I think repeating the way of the father and the grandfather was the safest option, it is a tested way and any deviation from it would have caused huge discussions in the media probably to the disadvantage of Leonors image.

That quote from Letizia was not given in the slightest kind of military context and the question was made years ago, from a fellow teen, before Leonor went to Wales, when she was too nervous to respond herself. I think it's an extreme stretch to apply it now.

I distinctly remember William as a teenager saying he either didn't want to or was not planning on entering the military -- clearly, things change.

We also have no evidence that Leonor is unhappy, uninterested, or doesn't want to be where she is -- this is entirely based on conjecture from a few photos where everyone looks serious and engaged, not a photo-op. Perhaps it's best we wait and see? (And again, I don't remember anyone suggesting Elisabeth was marched into the Academy with her arm twisted for no good reason, or a brouhaha about Christian needing to complete years of military training and being given no choice but to do it and succeed.)

 

[Somebody]

Well, the heir from a "Machista" country is doing far more for equality than the heirs from Nordic countries. Countries that, by the way, usually have disproportionally high prevalence rates of intimate partner violence against women.

Thats probably because it is the only way for her to be taken seriously. I for ond am glad that military service is not considered a requirement for future monarchs in all countries but that will of course also depend on their future role in the military.

 

[Somebody]

Yes, the military academies are also degree-granting institutions. See the syllabus page of the General Military Academy (first posted by lula):

However, I seem to recall reading sonewhere that Leonor will not end up with a degree because she will do three different programs for one year.

 

[Mbruno]

However, I seem to recall reading sonewhere that Leonor will not end up with a degree because she will do three different programs for one year.

Yes, that is correct and has been discussed in the "Royal Military Service" forum.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

However, I seem to recall reading sonewhere that Leonor will not end up with a degree because she will do three different programs for one year.

Yes unlike her classmates, Leonor will finish without degree what is a tailormade military education for her.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Well, the heir from a "Machista" country is doing far more for equality than the heirs from Nordic countries. Countries that, by the way, usually have disproportionally high prevalence rates of intimate partner violence against women.

Thats probably because it is the only way for her to be taken seriously. [...]

I'm not sure that working for gender equality is necessary for the Princess of Asturias to be taken seriously, since it is not something expected of most royals, but at the same time, I will reiterate my question asking what the Princess of Asturias has done for gender equality that other heirs have not done.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

The Royal Decree of March 14, 2023 approving the special program of military formation for the Princess of Asturias, which outlines it in detail:

https://boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2023-6731

The Palace's announcement of March 14, 2023:

https://casareal.es/ES/AreaPrensa/Paginas/area_prensa_comunicados_interior.aspx?data=122

The syllabus of the General Military Academy at Zaragoza, which the Princess will attend for the 2023-2024 academic year:

https://ejercito.defensa.gob.es/en/.../Estudios/CGET-GC-ingreso-sin-titulacion.html

 

[camelot23ca]

I don't think that is what the OP meant to say. Instead, the original message was questioning if Leonor is genuinely interested in military life (as I think her father was at her age), or if she is doing it just because she has no choice.

I don't know the answer honestly, but the second option is not implausible.

It may not be what she would have chosen for herself. Rotating through three academies in three years sets her apart from her peers and could make it hard to feel really connected to her classmates. And then she’ll be three years older than the other students in her year when she goes to university. But I doubt they’d force her if she was completely unsuited or truly couldn’t stomach the idea of three full years of military training.

 

[lula]

Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias receives the officer's saber

https://www.casareal.es/ES/Actividades/Paginas/actividades_actividades_detalle.aspx?data=15881

https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_e...r-entrega-sables-zaragoza-academia-militar/9/

https://www.heraldo.es/multimedia/i...recibiendo-el-sable-de-oficiales-en-la-agm/6/

 

[An Ard Ri]

Congratulations to Leonor!

SOME PHOTOS
https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?zoektype=2&search=19-09-2023 Army