Princess Leonor’s time at the General Air Academy of San Javier in Murcia is drawing to a close, and the region is planning a grand send-off for the heir to the throne.
On Wednesday, June 3rd, the King and Queen’s eldest daughter will be honored with the Gold Medal of the Region of Murcia, the highest distinction awarded by the community led by Regional President Fernando López Miras. She will also receive the Gold Medal of the Regional Assembly, the Gold Medal of the Town, and be named an Honorary Citizen of San Javier.
Her Visit to Murcia
The Princess of Asturias will make an official visit to the Murcian capital on June 3 to accept these honors. After being presented with the region’s gold medal, she will travel to San Javier, the municipality that has served as her home during this school year of rigorous training as an Air Force cadet. Once there, she will receive the Gold Medal of the Town and be named an Honorary Citizen of the municipality.
This official visit by the heir will take place just a few weeks before she completes the three years of military training that have taken her to the academies of Zaragoza, Marín, and San Javier. Throughout the day, the Princess will tour various locations across the autonomous community, including Murcia, Cartagena, and San Javier.
The Other Medals She Already Holds
These new decorations add to the ones she has already collected from the regional governments of Aragón, Zaragoza, Galicia, and Marín. In 2023, during her time as a lady cadet, she was awarded the Medal of the Cortes de Aragón to coincide with her military training, along with the title of Honorary Citizen of Zaragoza and the Medal of Zaragoza. During her time in Marín, she received the Gold Medal of Galicia due to her ties to the region.
Additionally, the Princess holds the Distinguished Order of the Golden Fleece, the highest honor tied to the Spanish Crown, as well as the Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III, which her father bestowed upon her when she reached her 18th birthday. She also holds the Grand Cross of Military Merit and the Grand Cross of Naval Merit.
The Home Stretch and a Papal Visit
Early June is shaping up to be incredibly busy for Princess Leonor. She is set to take a skydiving course, making history once again by becoming the first member of the Royal Family to jump from an airplane. Neither her father, Felipe VI, nor her grandfather, King Juan Carlos I, ever went skydiving. Just a few days after being honored in the Region of Murcia, Leonor, alongside her sister, Infanta Sofía, will join the King and Queen in Madrid for events surrounding Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the country.
Return to Civilian Life
After three years immersed in military life, Princess Leonor will return to civilian life to embark on another crucial phase as the future heir. Following her summer vacation, she will begin her university studies.
The young royal will pursue a degree in Political Science at the Getafe campus of the Carlos III Public University of Madrid. This will mark her return home after five years of living away from Zarzuela Palace. Leonor spent two academic years completing her International Baccalaureate in Wales, moving straight from there into the military academies of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in Zaragoza, Marín, and San Javier.
After half a decade, she will be back with her parents, though without her sister. Infanta Sofía is currently studying at Forward College and will spend the upcoming academic year at its Paris campus, which is affiliated with the University of London.
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