Princess Leonor at the Forefront of 2026 World Cup Celebrations... Who is the Heir to the Spanish Throne?

Image caption, Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish throne, welcomes members of the Spanish football team at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.

Published 13 minutes ago

Reading time: 4 minutes

After Spain's 2026 World Cup triumph, Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish throne, captured part of the attention surrounding the team's celebrations for the second world title in its history.

Spanish media and social media users circulated photos and videos of the 20-year-old princess celebrating with her family and national team players after defeating Argentina in the final.

Those images quickly brought to mind a scene from 2010, when Leonor, then four years old, appeared alongside her sister Sofia during the reception of the Spanish team after its first World Cup victory.

After the Spanish delegation returned from the United States, King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and the two princesses received team members at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, a scene that once again evoked the celebrations following the 2010 title win.

That year, Leonor and Sofia appeared during the reception of the team returning from South Africa, when then-captain Iker Casillas presented the World Cup to the princesses in a moment that became one of the most iconic images associated with the Spanish royal family.

Image caption, King Felipe and Queen Letizia with their daughters Leonor and Sofia during the celebration of Spain's World Cup victory on Sunday

Image caption, Leonor and Sofia during the reception of the Spanish team at the royal palace after winning the cup in 2010

Image caption, Princess Sofia lifts the World Cup with Leonor and Lamine Yamal beside her

Why did Leonor receive this attention?

The comparison between the 2010 and 2026 images highlighted the transformation in Leonor's status within the Spanish royal family over the past sixteen years.

Leonor de Borbón y Ortiz was born in Madrid on October 31, 2005, the eldest daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. She became first in line to the throne in 2014 after her father ascended the throne following the abdication of King Juan Carlos I.

Leonor holds the title 'Princess of Asturias,' traditionally given to the heir to the throne in Spain, along with a number of historic titles associated with the kingdoms that united to form the modern Spanish state.

Skip most read and continue reading

Iranian attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, and the United States targets Iranian military command centers and naval capabilities

The other World Cup winner... Lamine Yamal's little brother who captivated the internet

How Trump plunged the United States into multiple crises? - The Guardian

What is the importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after the Houthis announced a 'naval blockade' on Saudi Arabia?

In recent years, her public presence has expanded through participation in official events in Spain and abroad, alongside her growing role within the royal institution.

Image caption, Princess Leonor participates in the 'Armed Forces Day 2026' celebrations in Vigo, northwestern Spain, on May 30, 2026, as part of her military program before completing her training in the Spanish armed forces.

Three years of military training

Skip podcast and continue reading

Worth attention

In-depth explanation of the most important events and topics, to help you understand the key changes around you and their impact on your life

Episodes

Podcast end

Leonor's appearance at the World Cup final came days after she completed a three-year military training program, a path adopted by the royal institution to prepare the heir to the throne for the constitutional duties awaiting her.

During this period, the princess moved between the General Military Academy in Zaragoza, the Naval Military School in Marín, and the General Air and Space Force Academy in San Javier, where she received training in various branches of the Spanish armed forces.

The program included land, sea, and air training, as well as a training voyage aboard the Spanish Navy training ship 'Juan Sebastián Elcano,' on which she spent several months as part of her military program.

She also became the first member of the Spanish royal family to complete the basic parachute training program and receive the parachutist badge, a move that garnered widespread attention in Spanish media.

This stage comes within the institutional preparation of the heir to the throne, given that the Spanish king, under the constitution, holds the position of Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Leonor is scheduled to begin studying political science at Carlos III University in Madrid next September, as part of an academic program that includes courses in international relations, law, economics, and sociology.

The transition from military training to university studies marks a new stage in her journey, as she prepares to take on greater public responsibilities as heir to the Spanish throne.

Discover more

Skip shorts and continue

Shorts

End of shorts

Former King of Spain Juan Carlos and the mistress and the elephant curse 23 August 2020

What do we know about King Felipe VI of Spain? 25 December 2017