Princess Leonor makes official visit to Navarra parliament as royal duties and military training continue

Princess Leonor of Spain, 19, made her first official visit to the Palacio del Gobierno de Navarra, the parliamentary complex in the northern Spanish region, on Friday, joining her parents, Queen Letizia and King Felipe, for the outing.

The heir presumptive, also known as the Princess of Asturias, arrived in Navarra wearing a professional navy pinstripe suit with an oversized blazer and wide-legged trousers, paired with slingback heels and a matching navy handbag. Her chestnut hair was worn loose, and she chose a natural makeup look. Queen Letizia, by contrast, wore a maroon trouser suit with black low heels and a red handbag. The pair were photographed greeting onlookers outside the building as the royal trio prepared for the formal engagement.

Leonor is currently undergoing a three-year military training program, with each year dedicated to a different defense branch. As heir to the throne, she is expected to one day hold the title of Commander in Chief of the armed forces in addition to reigning as queen. The training path has included assignments across naval and aviation disciplines, reflecting the multifaceted preparation expected of a future monarch.

Earlier in the year, Leonor boarded the Juan Sebastián de Elcano, a Spanish Navy training ship, in January. In June, she and fellow cadets arrived in New York aboard the vessel. The voyage did not see her returning to Spain aboard the ship; instead, she traveled by plane to join the Spanish Navy guided-missile frigate Blas de Lezo, where she was slated to complete a crucial portion of her naval training. In the United States, she was presented in a crisp white naval uniform with black insignia, saluting onlookers as the ship docked and arrived.

Separately, Leonor began the third stage of her military training upon arriving at the General Air and Space Academy in San Javier on September 1. A message written in the Academy’s Book of Honour read by the academy stated she was beginning the third stage and expressed anticipation for the aeronautical training and the chance to study the practical and theoretical aspects of military aviation with her classmates. Officials have indicated that, following a period of flight fitness testing over the summer, she is expected to begin active flying by Christmas, subject to the program’s progress.

The Navarra visit comes amid a moment in which the Royal Family has publicly protected Leonor’s privacy. In May, the king and queen took legal action to shield her privacy after reports emerged of paparazzi photos taken in a Chilean shopping center during Leonor’s free time while she was aboard Elcano for navy training. Chilean outlets published images that purportedly captured Leonor in Punta Arenas, prompting the Spanish Embassy to file a complaint with local authorities and the palace to characterize the images as an unacceptable breach of privacy and data protection rules.

The royal family has not only highlighted Leonor’s public duties but also underscored the protective stance around her personal life as she advances through a demanding, multi-year training schedule. As she continues to combine ceremonial responsibilities with rigorous military preparation, observers note that her path mirrors the broader tradition of preparing future sovereigns for role-specific leadership within the armed forces. While the exact timetable for her future duties remains subject to royal guidance, the ongoing training underscores the balance the monarchy strives to maintain between public engagement and private development for the heir.

For now, Leonor’s official itinerary includes engagements like the Navarra visit, where she can demonstrate poise and readiness while facing questions about her evolving responsibilities as the next generation of Spain’s royal leadership. The royal family has emphasized continuity and privacy in parallel, signaling a measured approach to public appearances as Leonor builds experience in military life, statecraft, and international representation.