King Felipe and Queen Letizia’s family was whole again this week in Marín. Their Majesties and their teenage daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, appeared all together in public for the first time in months at Wednesday’s solemn ceremony of the Oath of Allegiance and presentation of Royal Orders to the new officers of the Navy at the Naval Military Academy of Marín, where the King awarded the Grand Cross of Naval Merit to his firstborn. While Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía are both back with their parents, the sisters are set to embark on new chapters after the summer, with one doing so outside of Spain.
With the Princess of Asturias’ time in the Navy now complete, the 19 year old will start her final year of military training “in the Air and Space Army, joining the San Javier General Air Academy for the 2025-2026 academic year” as an Ensign Student. Casa de S.M. el Rey has previously shared that King Felipe and Queen Letizia consider their older daughter’s military training to be “very convenient and valuable: it reinforces the capacities of service and delivery, and facilitates the representation tasks that she must assume, as Heir to the Crown of Spain, in accordance with the provisions of Title II of the Constitution.”
As for Sofia, she will not be following in her older sister’s footsteps by undergoing military training post-high school. The 18 year old will instead be going abroad for college this September. Per HOLA! Spain, there were conditions for Sofia studying outside of Spain, including picking a place not far away so she could fulfill her commitments as a member of the royal family and that her studies serve the interests of the Crown.
© Carlos Alvarez/Getty ImagesThe King and Queen’s younger daughter will be studying Politics and International Relations at Forward College. The three-year degree, designed by the London School of Economics, is taught in Lisbon the first year, Paris the second and Berlin the third. According to the university, spending one year in each city is a unique opportunity for students to step outside their “comfort zone and engage with local communities and cultures.” The school noted that the “program is designed to nurture your curiosity, enrich your understanding, and help you build bridges across different contexts. These skills will be valuable as you navigate today’s globalised living, socialising, and working environments. Through dedicated intercultural classes, learning expeditions, cultural activities with a local focus, conferences, and real-world projects, you will be encouraged to immerse yourself in the contexts of each city where you will reside for a year.”
Sofia graduated from UWC Atlantic this past May. Proud parents Letizia and Felipe traveled to the UK to attend their younger daughter’s graduation in Wales. As the royal made her way to the stage to collect her diploma, a teacher said, “Your journey has been marked by determination and personal growth, evolving from a naturally empathetic and affectionate listener to a trained peer listener. A true friend in times of need. Sofía’s warmth and vibrant spirit will be deeply missed.”
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