Princess Leonor's Military Studies


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Leonor and the other students in Cadiz today, January 8:


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Photos of 'Elcano', the ship that will be Princess Leonor's home for the next 6 months:

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The Royal House also released photos:


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Leonor seems like a well grounded and mature young woman. Not every young woman would be frilled by spending her best young years in military school but she appears at ease with handling her responsibilities.
 
Princess Leonor fulfills the first tradition on board the 'Elcano' in Cadiz
Climbing the masts is one of the tasks that all midshipmen must perform


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Leonor: “I am very happy to be in Cadiz”


Day 2 in Cádiz

 
Throughout the morning, the Princess of Asturias and her companions have carried out seamanship training and manoeuvring activities, including climbing masts. The Royal House also released photos.

 
Were they climbing up unattached to anything?

:mellow: Well, this is why we have Sofia. (It might not actually be that dangerous, but it sure looks easy to fall.)
 
I have a funny feeling we won’t see Leonor at a state banquet until her military training is over, but I do hope to be wrong.
How long until we see Leonor at a state banquet in full gala and tiara attire? Every month I keep hoping she will appear at one of these events in some spectacular gown and break for good the tradition of business suit/pants we see every single day at Zarzuela.
 
No, they clearly were all secured. Each of them is wearing safety harnesses.
Did you notice the end of the harness is not attached to the rope but to her belts? I assume she should attach it to the rope first as she went up for safety. It's still a big fall down from that net
 
Did you notice the end of the harness is not attached to the rope but to her belts? I assume she should attach it to the rope first as she went up for safety. It's still a big fall down from that net
The one to the right is indeed to her belt but the one on the left seems to be attached to the robe in the third picture (and most likely the opposite in the second picture - in both cases we cannot fully see one of the carbiners. A similar practice can be seen by her colleagues on the third picture (one attached to robe; the other attached to belt):
Yes because the ship is stopped in port, when the ship is moving they will use the harness they were wearing today.
The height doesn't depend on whether the ship is moving or in port. The navy is a professional organization; they would not risk going up to these heights without safety measures being in place. The person in charge of this exercise would immediately be put on leave (and probably fired, depending on labor laws) if s/he would allow the students to climb the masts without being secured, i.e., for such irresponsible behavior. And I'd assume Leonor would comply with those instructions - like all her fellow class/shipmates.
 
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In the video you can see that they were not attached with a rope at the top of the harness, and that they used the harness anchors only when they reached the top.

When the boat is at sea they do use ropes in their harnesses.


When the then Prince Felipe sailed on the ship, harnesses did not exist.

 
In the video you can see that they were not attached with a rope at the top of the harness, and that they used the harness anchors only when they reached the top.

When the boat is at sea they do use ropes in their harnesses.
Thanks, previously I only checked the pictures but the video indeed seems to suggest these very unsafe practices. Imho, it makes no sense to not use them when they practice/do it for the first time but then expect them to use them once they are at sea.

N.B. In that case I would strongly discourage any parents to send their children to the Spanish Navy as their safety practices are not up to modern standards - there is a serious risk of injury and death. In most other industries in the western world, this would be totally unacceptable and -as I said before- result in dismissal/being fired if anyone would even attempt to do this.
 
Thanks, previously I only checked the pictures but the video indeed seems to suggest these very unsafe practices. Imho, it makes no sense to not use them when they practice/do it for the first time but then expect them to use them once they are at sea.

N.B. In that case I would strongly discourage any parents to send their children to the Spanish Navy as their safety practices are not up to modern standards - there is a serious risk of injury and death. In most other industries in the western world, this would be totally unacceptable and -as I said before- result in dismissal/being fired if anyone would even attempt to do this.
I suppose it would be up to the Spanish Ministry of Defense to review the safety of any activities that are carried out at Spanish military training facilities, but, on your previous point, aren't those naval cadets all at least 18 when they join the Navy? If so, they are not children anymore and do not need their parent's consent to join.
 
I suppose it would be up to the Spanish Ministry of Defense to review the safety of any activities that are carried out at Spanish military training facilities, but, on your previous point, aren't those naval cadets all at least 18 when they join the Navy? If so, they are not children anymore and do not need their parent's consent to join.
Great point. In that case, I would caution any person considering joining the Spanish Navy not to do so as -based on this footage- they don't adhere to international safety standards (as any thorough risk assessment would show that performing tasks without proper fall protection at these heights might lead to serious injury or death).
 
I think too many posters are getting way off base about Elcano not implementing safety regulations with their guardiamarinas when they go up the mast.

I'm not an expert but HOLA has closer pictures of Leonor wearing a harness that to my non expert eyes, will break a possible fall by leaving her suspended in the air.

Elcano to my knowledge has never had a fatal accident of this kind, and Spain is as big on safety worker's regulations as the rest of Europe.

It also defies common sense that the Crown Princess of Spain will go up the mast without safe practices in place. Felipe won't allow it, and neither the government or the Navy.

The Spanish Navy is small but 100% professional.

I would be surprised to see Leonor at a State Dinner before she starts her studies in Madrid after the military training. And honestly, there are hardly any State Banquets in Madrid, not a single one in 2024.
Do we know if Leonor will take part in the Pascua Militar this year before boarding the ship?
I agree. I don't expect Leonor in a State Dinner before she finishes her military training.

I think having a bit of an expectation seeing her in gala and with jewels is good, it adds a bit of mystery about her in the future.

As you say, the factual reality is that there are very few State visits to Spain, and Leonor's education as Crown Princess is going differently from gowns and jewels.
 
Day 3 in Cadiz today, January 10 - the day start with a reception at the City Hall:






 
Visit to Cadiz City Hall






The group then moved to the Navy's Non-Commissioned Officers School in San Fernando where they paid tribute to the Navy and visited the Carmen Church.


 
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The group then moved to the Navy's Non-Commissioned Officers School in San Fernando where they paid tribute to the Navy and visited the Carmen Church.


I am a bit confused about all those public ceremonies involving the naval cadets and the civil authorities. Is it just because the Princess of Asturias is in this class, or is that standard for all classes at the Academy?

It look a bit odd to us outsiders, as we are not accostumed to seeing anything similar with cadets in the US, the UK, Canada, or Australia for example.
 
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I am a bit confused about all those public ceremonies involving the naval cadets and the civil authorities. Is it just because the Princess of Asturias is in this class, or is that standard for all classes at the Academy?

It looks like a bit odd to us outsiders, as we are not accostumed to seeing anything similar with cadets in the US, the UK, Canada, or Australia for example.

These are all traditions that are carried out every year, but this year, with the presence of the Princess of Asturias, they are having more media coverage.

This morning they visited the Cadiz Town Hall, and then they went to the town of San Fernando where they paid tribute to the Navy, and they brought the water that their classmates from the previous course brought from the ocean. Afterwards they visited the church of Carmen, because the Virgin of Carmen is the patron saint of sailors, the cruise officially ends on July 16th, the day of her feast day.

Tonight there will be a farewell dinner, and tomorrow a mass, a procession with the Virgin who accompanies them on the trip, and an official farewell with honors and accompanied by other ships from Cadiz.

While they carry out these acts, the ship can be visited by the citizens.


The Juan Sebastián Elcano is not only a training ship, it is considered a historical institution (especially in Cadiz and Galicia, which are its two bases) and a floating Spanish embassy, and also carries out diplomatic work.

During the trip they are received by the Spanish ambassador in each country they visit and by local authorities. The ship can be visited in ports and cultural events and allegiance ceremonies are organised for Spaniards living in those countries. The presence of the Princess of Asturias will raise the level of these events and attract a lot of press and people throughout all the stops of the trip.

Princess Leonor and the Elcano midshipmen bid farewell to the Patron Saint of the Navy and San Fernando




The Princess of Asturias and her companions at the Navy's Non-Commissioned Officers School in San Fernando (Cádiz) on the occasion of her joining the training ship “Juan Sebastián de Elcano” to continue her naval training.


Traditional visit to the Church of the Virgen del Carmen (San Fernando, Cádiz) prior to the start of the Instructional Cruise


 
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I am a bit confused about all those public ceremonies involving the naval cadets and the civil authorities. Is it just because the Princess of Asturias is in this class, or is that standard for all classes at the Academy?

It looks like a bit odd to us outsiders, as we are not accostumed to seeing anything similar with cadets in the US, the UK, Canada, or Australia for example.

There are always ceremonies when the Elcano sails. The only reason why we are getting so many pictures is because Leonor is part of it this year. Otherwise it'll be a couple of small news in local papers.

ETA. I saw the Elcano many years ago come to port with full sails and guardiamarinas standing up on the fourth mast. I's s a sight I'll never forget. Seeing in a tall ship in full sail is incredible.
 
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There’s a similar school ship in Romania and they (the navy) have similar ceremonies for each departure and arrival. Very impressive. Also, remember how the olympic flame arrived in Marseille last summer on a similar ship? All sails as she entered the port with the fort as a background? Belem is her name, she’s also a school ship, built in 1886.
 
Today, The Princess of Asturias has visited Cadiz City Hall, together with the rest of the midshipmen who are continuing their naval training on board the training ship “Juan Sebastián de Elcano”, and has signed the book of honour.



The Princess of Asturias was received in the mayor's office by the mayor of Cádiz, Bruno García, who presented her with a facsimile of the Constitution of 1812.

 
Princess Leonor is seen walking through the streets of Cadiz



 
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Princess Leonor is seen walking through the streets of Cadiz



The Princess doesn't seem to have too much security around her.
 
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