Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish throne, is facing significant challenges during her military training aboard the Juan Sebastián Elcano school ship, which began in January this year. At 19 years old, she is undertaking a crucial step to prepare for her future role as commander of Spain’s Armed Forces, following in the footsteps of her father, King Felipe VI, and her grandfather, King Emeritus Juan Carlos. However, the young royal has been struggling with health issues at sea, including nausea, dizziness, and a fall that left bruises on her arm, sparking growing concern at the Zarzuela Palace. Queen Letizia, Leonor’s mother, is deeply distressed by the situation and has reportedly confronted King Felipe VI, demanding action to protect her daughter. The tension between the royal couple highlights a clash between the princess’s well-being and the Spanish monarchy’s military tradition, with the training set to conclude only in June.
Reports indicate that Leonor has struggled to adapt to the ship’s conditions after two months at sea. Persistent discomfort has disrupted her participation in practical lessons, such as sail maneuvers, which are vital to her naval training. Queen Letizia, known for her close involvement in her daughters’ lives, receives daily updates from the Elcano, intensifying her unease.
In response, the queen has reportedly raised her voice in discussions with King Felipe VI, urging him to authorize Leonor’s removal from the ship. The king, however, argues that halting the training could damage the future queen’s image, undermining her credibility as a military leader when she ascends the throne.
A training marked by hardships
Leonor’s journey on the Juan Sebastián Elcano began in Cádiz on January 11, with an emotional farewell from King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. The ship, a historic symbol of the Spanish Navy nearing its 100th year of service, has logged over 2 million nautical miles across 97 expeditions. The current voyage, spanning 17,000 nautical miles, includes stops in countries like Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Panama, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and the United States, ending in New York. The training aims to provide cadets, including Leonor, with hands-on experience in navigation, discipline, and naval diplomacy.
Yet adapting to life at sea has proven challenging for the princess. After 22 days sailing to her first stop in Salvador, Bahia, she already faced symptoms like vomiting and dizziness, worsened by ocean conditions. A fall on deck, resulting in visible bruises on her right arm during her February stay in Brazil, became a tangible sign of her struggles. Though attended by the ship’s medical team, the physical strain and isolation in tight quarters continue to test the heir.
Life aboard offers no special treatment for Leonor, who shares a small cabin with other cadets and follows a strict schedule of theoretical and practical classes. This rigor, a tradition that shaped her father and grandfather, appears to be taking a heavy toll on her, fueling Queen Letizia’s maternal concern.
Royal confrontation and Felipe VI’s stance
The strain between Spain’s royals has come into focus with Letizia’s pleas for Felipe VI to intervene in their daughter’s situation. The queen, who visibly struggled during Leonor’s departure in January, is said to be prepared to take drastic steps if the princess’s well-being doesn’t improve. Reports suggest she threatened to personally arrange Leonor’s removal from the Elcano, challenging her husband’s position.
Felipe VI, however, stands firm. He views the military training as a cornerstone of the Spanish monarchy, vital to legitimizing Leonor’s future role as head of the Armed Forces. The king, who underwent similar training in 1987 aboard the same ship, sees it as a “school of life” that equips monarchs for the throne’s challenges. In his view, interrupting the process could be perceived as weakness, harming Leonor’s reputation.
Infanta Sofia, Leonor’s younger sister, has also joined the fray, reportedly begging her father to “save” her sibling. Despite this, Felipe VI resists family pressure, prioritizing tradition over the emotional appeals of his wife and youngest daughter.
Leonor’s struggles at sea
Leonor boarded the Juan Sebastián Elcano to become a naval officer, but the hardships she’s encountered reveal the sacrifices demanded by this phase. The princess, who turned 19 last October, completed a year of army training at the Zaragoza Military Academy before starting her naval phase. After the Elcano, she will still face air force training, mirroring the path of Felipe VI.
Her reported health issues aren’t unique. Other cadets have also faced similar challenges, like bruises from deck incidents, considered routine in such intense training. However, Leonor’s status as heir has turned these episodes into a matter of national and international interest.
Her stop in Brazil in February marked the voyage’s first major port call. In Salvador, Leonor took part in diplomatic events, including a meeting with Spanish Ambassador Mar Fernández-Palacios, and enjoyed a brief respite watching a show in Pelourinho. Yet the bruises on her arm drew media attention, amplifying concerns about her condition.
Voyage itinerary and diplomatic duties
The Juan Sebastián Elcano expedition follows a tight schedule, blending military training with Spain’s international outreach. Key confirmed stops include:
- Salvador, Brazil: February 14-19.
- Montevideo, Uruguay: March 5-9.
- Punta Arenas, Chile: March 20-23.
- Valparaíso, Chile: April 4-9.
- Callao, Peru: April 18-22.
- New York, USA: Arrival on June 5, marking Leonor’s mission end.
At each port, the ship hosts public visits, as seen in Salvador on February 15-16, and conducts official ceremonies. In Montevideo, Leonor served as flag-bearer in a pledge ceremony for Spanish residents in Uruguay, overseen by Defense Minister Margarita Robles, with about 50 participants.
These engagements underscore the Elcano’s role as a naval ambassador, a tradition dating back to 1927 when it was launched to honor the Spanish explorer who completed the world’s first circumnavigation.
Spain’s royal military tradition
Military training for Spanish heirs is a long-standing practice, formalized in the 19th century under Queen Isabella II. Juan Carlos I, Leonor’s grandfather, trained as a pilot, while Felipe VI completed courses in all three armed forces: Army, Navy, and Air Force. This preparation ensures monarchs understand the military they will command.
Leonor began this journey in August 2023 at the Zaragoza Military Academy, mastering combat tactics and leadership. The current naval phase tests her endurance in a demanding setting, with the 113-meter brigantine schooner serving as a floating classroom for 197 crew members, including 75 cadets. Her next step, air force training, is slated to begin after her return to Spain.
The Juan Sebastián Elcano, with its towering sails and storied past, is more than a training vessel—it’s a symbol of Spain’s naval heritage, having visited over 70 countries in nearly a century.
Family pressure amid the training
Letizia’s push to remove Leonor from the ship reflects a maternal concern that transcends royal duty. The queen, a former journalist known for her resolve, has long shown devotion to her daughters. During Leonor’s departure in Cádiz, she couldn’t hold back tears, a clear sign of the emotional toll of their separation.
Her visit to Brazil in February, when the Elcano docked in Salvador, offered temporary relief. Mother and daughter spent the weekend together, catching up after weeks apart. Yet Letizia’s return to Madrid, at Felipe VI’s request, reignited her determination to shield Leonor from the voyage’s rigors.
Infanta Sofia, 17, has also stepped in. Moved by her sister’s struggles, she reportedly urged her father to reconsider, but Felipe VI remains steadfast, prioritizing the monarchy’s legacy.
Public impact and Leonor’s image
Leonor’s difficulties on the Elcano have not gone unnoticed. The visibility of her bruises in Brazil and rumors about her health have sparked discussions about the limits of military training for a young heir. While some praise her commitment, others question whether the demands are too harsh.
The princess, who has taken on growing official duties in recent years, including a trip to Lisbon in July 2024, aims to solidify her image as a capable leader. Halting her training, as Letizia desires, could invite criticism and speculation about her resilience—something Felipe VI seems determined to prevent.
With the voyage ongoing, Leonor’s fate on the Juan Sebastián Elcano remains uncertain, as the royal rift reflects the delicate balance between duty and family care.
