King Felipe VI and Princess Leonor Fly Side by Side in Pilatus Aircraft [Photos]

The Spanish Royal Household has released a series of spectacular images of King Felipe VI and Princess Leonor during a training flight at the General Air and Space Academy in San Javier, Murcia, where the heir to the throne is completing the third and final stage of her military training. Father and daughter piloted separate Pilatus PC-21 aircraft in a remarkable flight that has never before been seen by the public.

Leonor Explains the Flight to Her Father

This marks the first time the monarch and his heir have flown together. Princess Leonor of Bourbon piloted a Pilatus PC-21 accompanied by her flight instructor, Captain Elena Gutiérrez.

In the photographs released by the Royal Household, the King and his eldest daughter can be seen preparing for the flight alongside other personnel before taking to the skies. The images show each of them in their respective aircraft and later, back in the hangar, embracing after successfully completing the exercise.

Father and daughter flew over La Manga del Mar Menor, one of Princess Leonor’s favorite landscapes in the Murcia region, as she herself acknowledged during a speech after receiving the region’s Gold Medal honors.

The King Was in Murcia at the End of May

Although the exact date of the flight has not been disclosed, King Felipe was in Murcia at the end of May to preside over the presentation of the Princess of Girona Award for Research during the fifth stop of the Tour del Talento (Talent Tour).

It is possible that the King took advantage of his visit to the region to travel to the Air Academy and participate in this memorable exercise.

A Father’s Pride

The Royal Household also released a video showing how the meeting between King Felipe and Leonor unfolded.

The moment they see each other, the Princess gives her father a formal military salute and then immediately embraces him in a heartfelt hug that speaks for itself. King Felipe beams with pride and returns the embrace warmly.

Afterward, they resume their military roles, both dressed in the sage-green flight suits used by the Spanish Armed Forces. Together they head to the briefing facilities, where Leonor, displaying notable professionalism and confidence, presents the flight briefing to her father and the other attendees.

Using a remote control to advance the slides, she explains the flight plan in detail, including how the Pilatus aircraft operates and the features of its ejection seat.

The pair then visits the simulation center, where the King takes part in simulator exercises. Later, in the hangar, the Princess is seen preparing her aircraft for takeoff while King Felipe boards his own. Both put on their helmets and flight gear before departing.

The next scenes in the video show the aircraft back on the ground and returning to their parking positions after a flight during which King Felipe and Princess Leonor had the opportunity to fly side by side.

Once they disembark, and while discussing the flight, King Felipe cannot resist embracing his daughter again, visibly proud of her achievement. Leonor, meanwhile, wears an unmistakable smile throughout the exchange.

Princess and Paratrooper

In addition to piloting aircraft, the Princess of Asturias has made history as the first member of the Spanish Royal Family to qualify as a paratrooper.

She completed the Basic Parachuting Course at the Méndez Parada Military Parachuting School, located at Alcantarilla Air Base in Murcia, successfully carrying out jumps from an aircraft at an altitude of approximately 400 meters (1,300 feet), both during the day and at night.

The End of Her Military Training

Once she completes her military education—which will be very soon—Princess Leonor will pursue a degree in Political Science at Carlos III University of Madrid.

The program is taught on the university’s Getafe campus and includes coursework in political science, humanities, law, economics, sociology, history, and international relations.

She will combine these studies with her institutional duties as the first in line to the Spanish throne.

Commissioning Ceremonies

In July 2027, Leonor de Borbón y Ortiz will receive her royal commissions as a Lieutenant in the Army, a Lieutenant in the Air and Space Force, and an Ensign in the Navy. She will participate in the corresponding commissioning ceremonies in Zaragoza, Marín, and San Javier alongside the members of her respective graduating classes.