Royal Family princess heading to military training after she leaves school nicknamed 'Hogwarts for hippies'

The King's cousin reveals Royal Family Princess will undertake three years of intensive military training, following dynasty's tradition

Crown Princess Leonor of Spain meets youth volunteers from Red Cross programs at Oficina Central de Cruz Roja Española on December 15, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.
(Image credit: Paolo Blocco/Getty Images)

The Spanish Royal Family princess heading to military, Princess Leonor, is following in her father's footsteps. However, news of the heir to the Spanish throne's training may be at odds with the British school she attended - which has been dubbed 'Hogwarts for hippies.'


Queen Sofia of Spain, Crown Princess Leonor of Spain, King Felipe VI of Spain, Queen Letizia of Spain and Princess Sofia of Spain attend the "Princesa De Asturias" Awards 2022 ceremony at Oviedo Bullring on October 28, 2022 in Oviedo, Spain.

(Image credit: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

We're used to seeing members of the British Royal Family decked out in military regalia and many of those in the Royal line of succession have completed military service.

This tradition isn't held solely by the UK as many international royals also get involved with combat. One such example is the Spanish royal family, who are distantly related to the British Royal Family. Despite their distance - the two royal families are very close and the Spanish King refers to the late Queen Elizabeth as 'Aunt Lilibet.'

It's been revealed that Leonor, Princess of Asturias, will begin three years of military training later this year, in the General Military Academy. Spain's Ministry of Defence officially announced that Princess Leonor would begin this training in September 2023.

Crown Princess Leonor of Spain attends the "Princesa De Asturias" Awards 2022 ceremony at Oviedo Bullring on October 28, 2022 in Oviedo, Spain.

(Image credit: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Spain's Defense Minister Margarita Robles said, "as in all parliamentary monarchies," the Princess, "has to have a military background and a military career."

The young royal will train with the army, the navy, and the Spanish air force before moving on to complete the rest of her university studies. It's believed that the royal intends to study law after completing her training.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales greet Princess Letizia, Princess of Asturias and Prince Felipe, Prince of Asturias as they attend an official dinner at the Palacio Real de Madrid on day one of a three day visit to Spain on March 30, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, are on a three day trip to Spain as part of a tour to Portugal, Spain and Morroco.

(Image credit: Juan Naharro Gimenez/WireImage/Getty Images)

It's likely that the Princess gained an interest in the legal system while attending the Welsh campus of United World Colleges (UWC). UWC is, per their website, "a global movement that makes education a force to unite people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future."

Princess Leonor's younger sister, Infanta Sofia, age 15, is also due to attend the school - but it's unclear if she will also undertake military training.

It goes without saying that, like other schools attended by royals, the tuition fees are pretty astronomical. Per Tatler, a two-year International Baccalaureate (IB) course costs from $79,600(£66,000). Unlike your average swanky private school, however, nearly half of UWC students' fees are paid by some form of scholarship. 

Princess Leonor is the eldest daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. The young royal, aged 17, has a lot of living left to do but considering she's the heir to the Spanish crown - much of her life is already laid out for her.

When she ascends to the throne, Leonor will be the first Spanish Queen since Isabella II, who reigned from 1833 to 1868. This will only be the second time in the Spanish monarchy's history that a woman will be in charge.

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.