Royal house makes the big news about Princess Leonor official: the time has come

Royal Household has officially announced the major news about Princess Leonor: the moment everyone had been waiting for has arrived. King Felipe's daughter has boarded the Blas de Lezo ship in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, beginning the final stage of her military training as a midshipwoman.

Dressed in the Navy's white uniform, Princess Leonor was seen boarding the frigate with calmness and determination. About to turn 20 years old, the eldest daughter of the monarchs is facing one of the most intense and demanding phases of her training. What does this experience mean for her future as head of the Armed Forces?

Royal Household officially announces Princess Leonor's departure on the Blas de Lezo ship

Princess Leonor has rigorously completed each phase of her military training since she entered the General Military Academy of Zaragoza in 2023. She later completed her second year at the Naval Military School of Marín, where she sailed for the first time aboard the iconic Juan Sebastián Elcano.

Royal Household wanted to give visibility to the significant moment of Princess Leonor's boarding by releasing several official images. The photographs show the heir to the throne respectfully greeting the captain of the Blas de Lezo ship and the rest of the crew. Her serious yet calm expression conveys focus and professionalism, reflecting her commitment to her military training.

The images also show Leonor touring the frigate's facilities accompanied by the captain. During this first contact, she received explanations about the ship's areas, including the command bridge, the communications area, the Combat Information Center, and the flight deck.

This type of image is not common in her training, which highlights the institutional significance of the moment. This is not just a symbolic exercise, but a real training stage. She will live as just another midshipwoman, following schedules, standing watch, and participating in naval maneuvers, far from protocol and any privilege.

This is what Princess Leonor's experience on the Blas de Lezo will be like

Over the coming weeks, Princess Leonor will take part in an intense training experience that will test her physical, psychological, and technical abilities. The Blas de Lezo, a state-of-the-art combat frigate, will be her floating home.

With a crew of 205 people, the ship belongs to the F-100 class. It is equipped with the sophisticated AEGIS combat system, which allows it to operate in highly complex national and international missions.

Leonor will integrate into the daily routine of naval life. She will sleep in shared cabins, stand watch in different shifts, participate in emergency drills, equipment maintenance, and other routine tasks.

One of the most demanding moments of this stage will be her participation in the Sinkex exercise, scheduled for June 15 and 16. In it, the students will face a simulated combat scenario with live fire.

The princess will act from the CIC, making tactical decisions in real time. Vice Admiral Juan Bautista Pérez Puig has described this participation as "exceptional," since students are rarely allowed to take on this kind of active role.

After this operation, the Blas de Lezo will head to the central Mediterranean to begin the international Dedalo exercise. There, Leonor will have the opportunity to collaborate with naval forces from other NATO and European Union countries.

Surveillance operations, escorting allied vessels, and coordination exercises in real scenarios will be carried out. In addition, a stopover in Ceuta is planned, where the frigate will make a logistical stop before continuing toward Italian waters.

The Royal Household's announcement about Princess Leonor's departure on the Blas de Lezo marks a turning point in her training. This new stage not only strengthens her preparation as a future head of state, but also shows her dedication and maturity.