Punta Arenas, Chile – Princess Leonor de Borbón of Spain made a significant stop in Punta Arenas, Chilean Patagonia, on Tuesday afternoon, March 18, 2025. The 19-year-old princess is currently participating in a six-month Americas training voyage aboard the Spanish Navy training ship "Juan Sebastián Elcano."
The ship's arrival, originally scheduled for March 20, was moved forward by two days. This adjustment was due to the challenging weather conditions in the Strait of Magellan, known for its strong winds and currents.
Princess Leonor, a third-year student at the Marín Naval Military School (Escuela Naval de Marín), is among 75 fellow midshipmen participating in the 37,000-kilometer, 155-day voyage. The ship's crew also includes 20 officers, 20 non-commissioned officers, 130 sailors, and two civilian professors, as reported by the Spanish Royal Household (Casa Real).
While onboard, Princess Leonor functions as a regular midshipman (guardiamarina). However, ashore, she is recognized as a princess and addressed as "Her Royal Highness" (Alteza Real). A Spanish Navy official stated, "On the ship, she is an equal trainee, but on land, she is a princess," as reported by the newspaper El País.
During their stay in Punta Arenas, the crew will participate in a commemorative event on March 22, celebrating the founding of the first Spanish settlement, Rey Don Felipe. Princess Leonor will also visit the Spanish community of Punta Arenas (Sociedad Española de Punta Arenas) on the same day. Her only official visit within Chile will take place in early April at the port of Valparaíso.
The voyage, which began in Brazil and Uruguay, will continue to Peru's Callao, Panama City, Colombia's Cartagena de Indias and Santa Marta, the Dominican Republic's Santo Domingo, and New York City before crossing the Atlantic Ocean back to Spain. It is important to note that Princess Leonor will not participate in the Atlantic crossing. She will return to Spain by plane from Chile and complete her training on another naval vessel.
Princess Leonor is undergoing a special three-year military training program, rotating through the Army, Navy, and Air Force. In 2024, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant (alférez) at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza and is now completing her naval training. In 2025-2026, she will undergo Air Force training at San Javier in Murcia. This follows the tradition of her grandfather, former King Juan Carlos, and her father, King Felipe VI.
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