Princess Leonor's Military Studies


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
A sector of the Spanish press copies a lot of its tabloid news style from the foreign yellow press that bashes royals and, in republics, government officials for the sake of someone buying the tabloid. Same if it's online, you check out the website curious about a headline and they get money from side ads.

It's normal they create the articles to establish fear in the future. Fear sells news. In this case related to Leonor and her training it's the 'look at who's going to rule over us' propaganda. With Leonor the tabloid press got a jackpot to exploit because she's both the heir and she is a woman.

For example, her royal male cousins that are also heirs like Prince William don't get the same type of attack, they focus of girlfriends because it's the macho virility mentality of those behind the tabloid articles. With Leonor the focus is on her ability to keep up with the guys in the armed services, and when she is not at their level exaggerate it even more for a good tabloid cover.

But here's the reality, neither Leonor nor her royal equivalent cousins in Europe are expected to lead armies like Napoleon, or command them for wars like Catherine the Great of Queen Boudica. She will be the head of state one day and expected to wear the uniform of each branch during events. She is doing an excellent job in her training, and I assume Princess Sofia will follow her steps when she reaches the same age for being the potential heir to Leonor until we get the next generation of royal children in Spain.
You make reasonable points, but, from a broader perspective, why must an heir have any military training at all? As you said, it is not like they will ever lead an army as it used to be case in the past, and many presidents (for example in the USA), who are actual commanders in chief of the armed forces (as opposed to purely ceremonial CiCs as the European kings), have never been in the military themselves.

I understand that some monarchs like King Felipe VI or King Frederik X seem to have greatly enjoyed their life in the armed forces and place a high value on a military education. That doesn't mean, however, that their children have to follow the same path. And , before I may be misunderstood as sounding sexist, I think that is equally true for Leonor or Elisabeth as it is for Christian or another male heir like George for example in the future.

On the gender issue specifically, I don't think this particular report on Leonor's struggling at the Naval Academy is gender-motivated per se, but the fact , whether it is fair or not, is that the military has been traditionally a male institution and women who join the armed forces will most likely face extra scrutiny and have to "prove" that they are up to the required standards. That puts an extra layer of stress in what is already presumably a stressful environment (an elite military academy) and is yet another reason why it should not be taken for granted that Leonor would have to do it just because of who she is or who her father is.

Honestly I believe she wants to do it though and is up to the challenge. As Muhler said, based on his own valuable life experience in the military, if Leonor needs extra help, she will get it, but she will also have to put on the extra work and effort, which in the end is what is expected in the service.
 
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You make reasonable points, but, from a broader perspective, why must an heir have any military training at all?

Tradition. Just like we have families that follow military careers generation after generation.

In republics, the tradition of non-military leaderships took off past 248 years if we start with the 1776 revolutionary wars. The candidates are elected by a party supported by interest groups that, at times, exclude the rest of the population. With royals, they represent everyone since they descend from warrior kings and queens from ancient monarchies, like in Spain, UK, Denmark, etc.

A military career often implies seriousness, discipline and control of emotions and ability to think as part of a team. Specifically on Leonor's ancestry, she descends from a military tradition of hundreds of years from the times before Spain was Spain, when the king of Asturias rose to arms and started the Reconquista.
More recently, her Borbon side she also descends from the king that launched his armies to remove the French Valois from their throne.

She carries the entire history of the nation, the good and the bad, and that history in my country started with a little kingdom and its small army. And if she is going to bear the uniforms of the armed forces as part of her commanding presence, she can't Star Trek cosplay a military uniform just for show. She, like her father, has to earn it.
 
Leonor in fact has a number of advantages. Everybody knows she's the heir, who is there to learn about the military not having a military career, so she's no career-threat to anyone and she is not getting a posting that could otherwise go a male cadet "because she's a woman".

Leonor will be judged by her fellow cadets based on a number of criteria and these criteria applies to everyone.
Does she do her best? Leonor may be physically the weakest in the whole academy, but if everybody can see that she is trying her best and doesn't spare herself, she'll be respected for that.
Does she abide by the norms and social rules? If she always does her very best to turn out as immaculate as possible, she'll be respected for that. That's unit pride. If she is a good comrade, she'll be respected for that. If she's a part of the group, she'll be respected. That's the spirit every single military unit tries to foster. Group-unity.
Can she take a rough treatment and preferably answer back? Can she take being treated unfairly by the superiors and shrug it off? Then she'll be respected. (The cadets are not idiots. They all want to be admirals so they won't be sexist against the Heir, but she is likely to have to learn to shut her ears to a number of things she may hear being talked about.)
Is she a team-player? There will be some areas where Leonor will excel and others where she is weak. There will be times when she has surplus and others haven't. In these cases, does she help those who are weaker or down? Will she shoulder her burden and do a bit extra for mate? If she does, she will be respected. Can she be relied upon to do what she is supposed to do? If so she will be trusted. And with trust come respect.

But is she is a whiner, who complains, she won't be respected.
If she only do what she has to do and no more, she will not be respected.
If she's a shirker who tries to avoid pulling her weight or get someone else to do it for her, she will not be respected.
Is she accepting preferential treatment? Then she won't be respected.
- These are universal rules in any military unit.

The other cadets know perfectly well that they will never end up in a sharp situation with Leonor, but if they know they could rely on and trust Leonor, if that would happen, then she will be very respected. That's the ultimate criteria you are judged by: Can I rely on you doing your very best to get me home alive?

If anything Leonor is likely to increase the standard in the academy. Because no man in any military on this planet wants to be outdone physically by a woman, any woman.
 
Princess Leonor and other students from the Naval School go out to sea in the Pontevedra Estuary to carry out Seamanship Instruction activities.
 
….somehow I foolishly thought they would have changed the name in the past 500 years. 😌
 
The Princess is settling into her Maritime training and hopefully the seas are not too rough this time of the year.
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I understand the Princess is an amateur sailor and her family has a long tradition in competive sailing with her great-uncle, the late King Constantine II, and her father, King Felipe VI, having both competed in the Olympic Games. Of course it is a different situation at the Naval Academy, but I would assume that she is reasonably comfortable already with the maritime environment.
 
It's not easy to get in the third year of naval academy as a newcomer. She was singing a naval song with the guardiamarinas easily and without problems. She's obviously been preparing for this and reinforces how much work behind the lines, she's been doing.

We are so proud of her.
She is amazing!!! How many other women are there in the academy?
 
I assume not many, as Navy is supposed the toughest part for women compared to Army and Air Force.
Question, do 'normal' recruits get in touch with the other branches? (in Germany we have four branches, the 4th one being cyber and information). I know in Germany there is a mix in parts at least for the professional soldiers, eg there are pilots in the Navy too who work with the Air Force and the 4th branch works with all other branches. Not sure how it is done while still in training, like Leonor and her fellow students.
 
I assume not many, as Navy is supposed the toughest part for women compared to Army and Air Force.
Question, do 'normal' recruits get in touch with the other branches? (in Germany we have four branches, the 4th one being cyber and information). I know in Germany there is a mix in parts at least for the professional soldiers, eg there are pilots in the Navy too who work with the Air Force and the 4th branch works with all other branches. Not sure how it is done while still in training, like Leonor and her fellow students.

I don't know. It's possible it happens but we don't know. Some cyber information are covered by Air arm forces, but mostly are covered by the Interior ministry with all departments, military, police and civilian.
 
How lovely that she was able to support her former classmates on her weekly afternoon off. Given the distance, I wonder how she travelled back and forth.
 
This week the students of the Military Naval School have made their first trip to sea this course in the training boats. They have trained in such important maneuvers as picking up a man overboard or docking and undocking.

But the most important thing is that they have worked together and have begun to forge the union between the crews.


 
The Ministry of Defence has announced today the route and schedule of the Training Ship Juan Sebastián El Cano in 2025, in which the Princess of Asturias will participate.

The ship crosses the Atlantic and stops at different ports where activities are organised and the ship can be visited. The Princess of Asturias will also take part in some more official activities at each stop on the cruise.


January 11 - Departure from Cadiz (Spain)
January 17 - 20. Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain)
January 21 - 23. Las Palmas (Spain)
February 14 - 19. Salvador de Bahia (Brazil)
March 5 - 9. Montevideo (Uruguay)
March 20 - 23. Punta Arenas (Chile)
April 4 - 8. Valparaiso (Chile)
April 17 - 22. El Callao (Peru)
May 3 - 6. Panama (Panama)
May 9 - 14. Cartagena de Indias (Colombia)
May 19 - 24. Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
June 5 - 10. New York (United States)

Princess Leonor will be on the Elcano until New York in June, then move to Spain to sail in another unit of the Fleet to complete her training. She will return to the training ship at the stopover in Gijón, to reach Marín, where the midshipmen disembark.

July 3 -7. Gijón (Spain)
July 9 - 12. Ferrol (Spain)
July 14. Arrival in Marín.

 
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Portrait by the painter Ferrer-Dalmau for the Military Academy of Zaragoza

It’s a great likeness of her, and a good painting.

Is this the first time he’s painted Leonor?

The ship crosses the Atlantic and stops at different ports where activities are organised and the ship can be visited.
I know her sister has been to Australia. Is this the first time Leonor will be in the Southern Hemisphere? (…publicly?)
 
The Ministry of Defence has announced today the route and schedule of the Training Ship Juan Sebastián El Cano in 2025, in which the Princess of Asturias will participate.

The ship crosses the Atlantic and stops at different ports where activities are organised and the ship can be visited. The Princess of Asturias will also take part in some more official activities at each stop on the cruise.


January 11 - Departure from Cadiz (Spain)
January 17 - 20. Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain)
January 21 - 23. Las Palmas (Spain)
February 14 - 19. Salvador de Bahia (Brazil)
March 5 - 9. Montevideo (Uruguay)
March 20 - 23. Punta Arenas (Chile)
April 4 - 8. Valparaiso (Chile)
April 17 - 22. El Callao (Peru)
May 3 - 6. Panama (Panama)
May 9 - 14. Cartagena de Indias (Colombia)
May 19 - 24. Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
June 5 - 10. New York (United States)

Princess Leonor will be on the Elcano until New York in June, then move to Spain to sail in another unit of the Fleet to complete her training. She will return to the training ship at the stopover in Gijón, to reach Marín, where the midshipmen disembark.

July 3 -7. Gijón (Spain)
July 9 - 12. Ferrol (Spain)
July 14. Arrival in Marín.

That's quite a journey and it will mature her even more than she already is. The King and Queen won't recognize their daughter when she returns home. A very formative cruise, she will no doubt treasure for the rest of her life.

I notice that there is no stop in Argentina. That's interesting. Are there political reasons for that? The political and economic situation in Argentina has for some years now been pretty tumultuous.
 
The Ministry of Defence has announced today the route and schedule of the Training Ship Juan Sebastián El Cano in 2025, in which the Princess of Asturias will participate.

The ship crosses the Atlantic and stops at different ports where activities are organised and the ship can be visited. The Princess of Asturias will also take part in some more official activities at each stop on the cruise.


January 11 - Departure from Cadiz (Spain)
January 17 - 20. Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain)
January 21 - 23. Las Palmas (Spain)
February 14 - 19. Salvador de Bahia (Brazil)
March 5 - 9. Montevideo (Uruguay)
March 20 - 23. Punta Arenas (Chile)
April 4 - 8. Valparaiso (Chile)
April 17 - 22. El Callao (Peru)
May 3 - 6. Panama (Panama)
May 9 - 14. Cartagena de Indias (Colombia)
May 19 - 24. Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
June 5 - 10. New York (United States)

Princess Leonor will be on the Elcano until New York in June, then move to Spain to sail in another unit of the Fleet to complete her training. She will return to the training ship at the stopover in Gijón, to reach Marín, where the midshipmen disembark.

July 3 -7. Gijón (Spain)
July 9 - 12. Ferrol (Spain)
July 14. Arrival in Marín.

I wonder why they don't have any stops in Argentina - given that they are disembarking in Montevideo and from their travel along the coast of Argentina to Punta Arenas in Chile. The Patagonia passage is not an easy one, so will be memorable.

Edit: Just saw that I am not the only one wondering about Argentina. In addition, Ecuador isn't included either.
 
That's quite a journey and it will mature her even more than she already is. The King and Queen won't recognize their daughter when she returns home. A very formative cruise, she will no doubt treasure for the rest of her life.

I notice that there is no stop in Argentina. That's interesting. Are there political reasons for that? The political and economic situation in Argentina has for some years now been pretty tumultuous.
Yes its quite a journey but an adventure for the Princess!
 
On the occasion of the 97th training cruise of the training ship ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’, in which the Princess of Asturias will take part as first midshipman, the Navy has presented a video with scenes of Juan Carlos I and Felipe VI at different moments of their voyages on the "Elcano".
 
¡Hola! releases new photos of Leonor's military training:

More photos:
 
That's quite a journey and it will mature her even more than she already is. The King and Queen won't recognize their daughter when she returns home. A very formative cruise, she will no doubt treasure for the rest of her life.

I notice that there is no stop in Argentina. That's interesting. Are there political reasons for that? The political and economic situation in Argentina has for some years now been pretty tumultuous.
I only agree to a certain point only Muhler. If you watched Leonor in the last Princess of Asturias Awards, she's already a mature and confident woman far beyond her teen years. I watched the whole ceremony live and Leonor's confidence truly surprised me, and I've followed her closely. The way she protected queen Sofia against photographers with a single movement of her body and arm, literally made me sit up and look at her in a wow moment.

The naval trainship journey is going to cement the army principles - work hard, mateship and follow orders without complaining. It will reinforce her education but I doubt Felipe and Letizia will be surprised by her maturity when she returns. They know her daughter very well, know what she's capable of...and what she's been demonstrating in her character for a few years now.

As to Argentina. The Elcano route depends on the Ministry of Defence and Argentina and Spain are having political issues since Milei became President of Argentina and meddled in internal Spanish's politics.
 
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Princess Leonor participated yesterday in the "Baile del ciento" (Dance of the Hundred) at the Military School of Marín. The dance is the farewell to the midshipmen and midshipwomen who, like Leonor, will embark on the Juan Sebastián Elcano in January.


 
There are expectations Leonor will have to meet that any Heir of the Spanish Crown is expected to meet regardless of gender. Any educational opportunity should be welcomed and although it may be more difficult I am sure she has the support necessary to excel in whatever endeavor she sets her mind to.
 

Princess Leonor, having fun, singing and hugging her classmates at the farewell ball of the Naval School of Marín​

Maria Hermida
Maria HermidaPONTEVEDRA / THE VOICE

PONTEVEDRA

Leonor was dressed for the ball in the Navy's dress uniform, just like her companions.

Leonor was dressed for the ball in the Navy's gala uniform, just like her companions.

The eldest daughter of the kings participated in the Baile del Ciento, which is organized by the first-year midshipmen before they leave to sail in Elcano, and which was attended by some 1,500 young people.​

08 Dec 2024

Fully integrated with her classmates from the Naval School of Marín , this Saturday at the end of the day and well into the early hours of Sunday, Princess Leonor lived a very special night . In the facilities of the Navy, where Leonor has been training since this summer, the traditional Baile del Ciento took place; a very endearing celebration because it is not organised by the military institution but by the students themselves, to say goodbye to the school before going to sail on The Elcano.

The Dance of the Hundred, a classic in Marín, is usually attended in between 1,500 and 2,000 young people, since the midshipmen invite their partners, family members or friends, and it's usually held in November. This year was delayed due to the bad weather that hit Valencia. Finally, the event, which requires people to wear a tuxedo and a long dress, was set for this Saturday in the school premises. All this week there was curiosity in Marin if Leonor, like many first-year midshipmen do, would bring a young relative to the dance. It was suspected that it would be the ideal occasion for her sister and inseparable friend Sofía to come to Marín . But everything seems to indicate that this was not the case. Or at least, various attendees at the ball indicated that they had not seen the youngest daughter of the kings, although the truth is that it was not easy to find anyone among the huge crowd and given the fact that the ball was held in several halls of the school at the same time.

Princess Leonor, like her companions, wore the Navy uniform dress. Some of her companions wore skirts, but she opted for trousers (in navy blue). The fact that she was exactly the same as all her companions made her go even more unnoticed. That, precisely, was what caught the attention of many of those present, who indicated that Leonor was simply "one of the crowd" and that she looked totally integrated with her companions, whom she hugged and laughed and sang with.

The party, which is more like a celebration between university students than a military event, since it is organised by the students themselves and they decorate the rooms with ornaments alluding to the points they will pass through on board the Juan Sebastián Elcano, started with a discreet fireworks display. Then the student representative and the director of the school, the ship captain, Pedro Suances, spoke about the promotion of first-year midshipmen and the challenges they have ahead of them on board the Navy's training ship. Leonor was not mentioned, as a clear sign that the princess is one of them.

Then came the fun part of the night. There were snacks, drinks, music, lots of music.All the songs of the moment were played, from Quevedo to Maluma, Karol G and Taylor Swift. The princess, apparently, was not seen dancing too much, but she did greet her classmates affectionately. She was also an accomplice to what is a tradition every year: the first-year midshipmen singing classic songs
from the festival or Spanish songs to bid farewell in style to these months of living together at school.

Princess Leonor had security personnel who intervened if anyone threatened to take photos of her. She politely told those who asked to take a photo with her that that night was reserved for celebrating with her friends, and that she would allow herself to be photographed on another occasion. However, she distributed kisses and smiles to all, and those who were there insisted on being friendly and close to everyone who came to greet her. The princess did have her photo taken at a photocall prepared for the occasion where, as at any self-respecting party, there were hats and other outfits to pose in a fun way. She did so surrounded by her friends but, apparently, the images were taken by the security personnel.

The party, as tradition dictates, lasted until the early hours and served as a farewell to the voyage that the Princess of Asturias will make on the Elcano. The training cruise of the training ship will begin on January 11 in Cadiz and will stop at fifteen other ports in Spain, Latin America and the United States.

The first stop will be in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to continue sailing to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and from there cross the Atlantic to Salvador de Bahía (Brazil), Montevideo (Uruguay), Punta Arenas and Valparaíso (Chile), El Callao (Peru), Panama City, Cartagena de Indias and Santa Marta (Colombia), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), and New York (United States). Then it will return to Spain and visit the ports of Gijón, Ferrol, Marín and again Cádiz.

 
There are expectations Leonor will have to meet that any Heir of the Spanish Crown is expected to meet regardless of gender. Any educational opportunity should be welcomed and although it may be more difficult I am sure she has the support necessary to excel in whatever endeavor she sets her mind to.
It's a first class leadership education and she gets to test her own boundaries. As well as living close with other people her age. It will come very handy for her in the future.
 
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