Princess Leonor has proven herself to be a trailblazer, becoming the first Spanish royal to complete a parachuting course as part of her military training.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s daughter, 20, was dressed in a camouflage jumpsuit and a red helmet with her hair neatly styled in a plait as she joined her classmates for the Basic Parachuting Course at the Mendez Parada Military School of Parachuting, with some of the skydives taking place at night.
In a new video shared on the Spanish royals’ official Instagram page, she showed no fear as she took a running start out of the plane before successfully navigating her way to the ground.
The translated caption explained: “After training alongside nearly half a hundred colleagues from the General Academy of Air and Space (AGA), the Princess of Asturias has performed several skydives in automatic mode, including a night jump.
“In this way, the Princess of Asturias completes the Basic Parachuting Course of the Mendez Parada Military School of Parachuting (Alcantarilla Air Base, Murcia) that she has done as a supplement to her military training at the AGA and receives the diploma and the badge of ‘Parachute Hunter.'”
Fans took to the comments section to commend her bravery. “Very brave, because not everyone does that, and with the pressure of being who she is, what is expected of her, etc. incredible,” wrote one, while a second penned: “The difference of other girls who do it, is that of course for them, they have chosen it, for Leonor is an obligation… So congratulations to all the brave women who are able to do it!!”
While she follows in the footsteps of her father, King Felipe VI, and grandfather, King Juan Carlos I, who also completed military service, Leonor is reportedly the first to have earned her parachuting badge.
Leonor’s two-week parachuting course in Murcia complements the aeronautical training she’s been receiving throughout her third year at the AGA.
Proud father
The video comes just days after Felipe sang his daughter’s praises at Armed Forces Day. Gushing about her achievements, the proud father said, according to HOLA! Spain: “Shortly, she’ll complete her training as a pilot. She’s closing out a training cycle, after these past three years, that she’s completed with a lot of effort and skill.
“I’m not the one to say this, but as a father, I have the right – and as a ruler, we’ll see. In any case, congratulations, Leonor. You’re days away from completing your year at the Air and Space Academy, and we know you’ve enjoyed it, so we’re very happy,” he added.
Future plans
© Getty ImagesFollowing the summer break, Leonor will begin a degree in Political Science at Carlos III University’s Getafe campus in Madrid.
Located a 25-minute drive from her home, Zarzuela Palace, the university’s Faculty of Social and Legal Sciences is set to treat Leonor as “just another student” this September, as first reported by our sister brand, HOLA.com.
With three years of military training under her belt, as well as experience in public speaking
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