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Princess Leonor – Heir Presumptive to the Spanish Throne

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison • 2026-09-20 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg


Princess Leonor, the elder daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, is the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne. Born on 31 October 2005 in Madrid, she carries the historic title Princess of Asturias and is being prepared for a future constitutional role that would make her Spain´s first queen regnant since the 19th century. Her path through military academies and public engagements has drawn increasing global attention as she steps into her duties.

Her full name, Leonor de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Ortiz, reflects both her royal lineage and her placement within the Bourbon dynasty. She holds multiple traditional titles including Princess of Girona, Princess of Viana, Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera, and Lady of Balaguer. These titles date back centuries and underscore the weight of her position as first in line to the crown.

Who is Princess Leonor? Identity and Background

Full Name
Leonor de Borbón y Ortiz
Born
31 October 2005, Madrid, Spain
Age (2025)
19 years old
Height
Est. 5’9″ (175 cm) – widely reported but unconfirmed
Title
Princess of Asturias
Parents
Kin Felipe VI & Queen Letizia
Sibling
Infanta Sofía
Role
Heir Presumptive to the Spanish Throne
Education
General Military Academy (Zaragoza) – 2024-2025
Instagram
No verified public handle; fan accounts only
Net Worth
No personal public data; royal family wealth is public. Held in trust.

Key Insights on Princess Leonor

  • The Succession Question: Leonor is ‘heir presumptive’, a crucial legal nuance. If her parents have a male child, he would jump ahead. As of 2025, she is first in line.
  • Rigorous Preparation: Her path from UWC Atlantic College to military academies is a deliberate public strategy to prepare her for the constitutional role of Commander-in-Chief.
  • Privacy vs. Public Duty: Her personal life is strictly managed by the Royal Household. Rumors about dating have no official standing.
  • Digital Footprint Gaps: There is no official personal social media presence. Fan accounts like @leonor do not represent the crown.
  • Wealth Misconception: She does not have a personal income stream like a businessperson; her salary and public support are stipulated by law.

Snapshot Facts

Fact Source
Heir Status: Heir Presumptive Wikipedia, FPA
Current Training: Completed first phase at General Military Academy in Zaragoza in 2025 News (2025)
Physical Appearance: Height estimated ~175 cm based on images Media Reports
Language Proficiency: Fluent in Spanish, English, French; learning Arabic Wikipedia
Titles: Princess of Asturias plus multiple regional titles Official Royal House
Official Representation: Became Honorary President of Princess of Asturias Foundation in 2024 FPA.es
Known Relatives: Sister Infanta Sofía, father King Felipe VI Official Royal House
Rumor Status: ‘Gavi’ rumor dismissed by Royal House as fake news El País (2023)

What is Princess Leonor’s public role and status in the Spanish monarchy?

Her role is defined by the Spanish Constitution. She is the heir presumptive, which means she will inherit the throne unless a younger brother is born – a scenario that has not occurred. Since her father Felipe VI became king in 2014, she has held the title Princess of Asturias, the traditional designation for the heir.

The ‘Presumptive’ Distinction

Unlike a male heir who is automatically ‘heir apparent’, Leonor can be displaced by a later-born brother. This is a key legal difference that explains why her preparation is so public and deliberate.

The Succession and Heir Presumptive

If she accedes to the throne, she will become Spain’s first queen regnant since Isabella II, who ruled in the 19th century. Her position is unique in modern European monarchy – a female heir trained across all three branches of the armed forces. For more on the monarchy’s structure, see Spanish Royals.

Military Training and Official Duties

Beginning in 2023, she entered a multi-year military training program that spans the Army (General Military Academy in Zaragoza), the Navy (Naval Academy), and the Air and Space branches. This training is constitutional: as future commander-in-chief, she must understand military structure firsthand. By 2025 she had completed the army phase.

Training Timeline

The program covers army, navy, and air force phases. After completing military training in 2026, she is expected to begin political science studies at Carlos III University in Madrid in September 2026.

Future Husband: Protocol and Expectations

There is no official information about any future spouse. The Royal House maintains strict privacy. Any speculation about a husband is premature and not grounded in official statements.

Has Princess Leonor ever dated Gavi? Relationships & Rumors

The Root of the Gavi Dating Speculation

In 2023, social media circulated claims that Leonor was romantically linked to Spanish footballer Pablo ‘Gavi’ Martínez, who plays for FC Barcelona. The rumour spread quickly across fan pages and entertainment sites.

Clarifying Rumors: No Official Confirmation

According to El País, the Royal House explicitly denied the connection, calling it fake news. No credible evidence has emerged since. The fascination reflects how public interest mixes celebrity culture with royal figures, but there is no verified relationship.

What is Princess Leonor’s Net Worth and lifestyle?

Estimates on Royal Wealth

Unlike celebrities, Leonor does not have a publicly declared personal net worth. The Spanish Royal Household’s budget is publicly known – it covers official duties, staff, and maintenance of palaces. No specific personal allowance for Leonor is published.

The ‘Infanta’ Allowance and Public Funding

As a member of the royal family, she receives support from the state budget for her education, training, and official engagements. Any personal wealth would be held in trust and is not part of public records. Queries about ‘net worth’ often confuse sovereign wealth with personal income.

Wealth Misconception

Avoid searching for a fixed ‘net worth’ figure for Leonor. No reliable source publishes a personal dollar amount. The royal wealth is institutional, not personal.

Where is Princess Leonor currently studying or training?

Education Path: From School to Academy

She attended Santa María de los Rosales in Madrid through primary and secondary school. In 2017 she began her International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, graduating in 2023. After a gap year, she entered military training in 2023.

The Single-Year Military Exemption

Her military program is compressed into a single year per branch, unlike regular conscripts. It is designed to prepare her for the constitutional duty of commanding the armed forces. After completing all three phases by about 2026, she is expected to begin political science at Carlos III University. For more context on her journey, see Leonor of Spain.

Does Princess Leonor have an official Instagram presence?

The Status of Fan Pages

There is no verified Instagram handle for Leonor. Accounts like @leonor_asturias_official are fan-run. The Royal House does not maintain a personal account for her, though the official @CasaReal account publishes approved content.

Where to Find Reliable Updates

Official information comes from the Casa Real official website, the FPA Foundation profile, and announcements by the Royal Household. Social media fan accounts are not authoritative.

Timeline of Key Events in Princess Leonor’s Life

  1. – Born in Madrid.
  2. – Father becomes king; she becomes Princess of Asturias.
  3. – Delivers first official speech for 40th anniversary of Spanish Constitution.
  4. – Graduates from UWC Atlantic College; begins military training at General Military Academy.
  5. – Turns 18, swears oath to Constitution in Cortes.
  6. – Begins Navy training phase.
  7. – Completes Army phase; continues with Air Force training.

Certainty and Uncertainty: What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Established Information

  • Official titles: Princess of Asturias, Girona, Viana, etc.
  • Parents: King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
  • Sister: Infanta Sofía (born 2007).
  • Heir presumptive to the Spanish throne.
  • Current military training across all three branches.
  • First official speech at age 13.
  • Born by caesarean section.

Information That Remains Unclear

  • Exact height – estimate is 175 cm but not officially confirmed.
  • Personal net worth – not published; only institutional budget exists.
  • Dating rumors (Gavi) – denied by Royal House, no confirmation.
  • Future higher education plans – only expected to start in 2026; not yet confirmed.
  • Whether she will have a personal website or social media – not announced.

Context: The Meaning of Her Position

Leonor’s role is not just ceremonial. As heir presumptive, she is being groomed for the constitutional position of head of state. Her military training is a signal that she understands command. The absence of a personal social media presence is a deliberate choice to maintain a ‘new monarchy’ approach focused on substance over celebrity.

The ‘Gavi’ phenomenon illustrates the modern tension between royal tradition and viral fame. The Royal House’s quick denial shows an effort to control narrative. Her eventual reign will be unique: Spain’s first queen regnant in 150 years, in a constitutional monarchy that has modernized significantly since the return of democracy.

Sources and Quotes on Princess Leonor’s Career

Foundation Princess of Asturias – “HRH the Princess of Asturias is the Heir to the Crown of Spain.” (Official profile)
Source

El País (2023) – The rumor linking her to footballer Gavi was dismissed by the Royal House as fake news.
Source

Casa Real official website – “Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias is the Heir to the Throne.”
Source

Summary: What to Know About Princess Leonor Now

Princess Leonor, now 19, is in the midst of a carefully structured preparation for monarchy. She is completing military training across Spain’s armed forces, expected to start political science in 2026, and carrying out official engagements as Princess of Asturias. Her position as heir presumptive means she will make history as Spain’s first queen regnant in over a century. For updates, follow the official Casa Real website and reliable news sources. Related topics: Spanish Royals and Leonor of Spain.

Frequently Asked Questions about Princess Leonor

What is the height of Princess Leonor?

Her height is not officially confirmed. Media estimates based on photographs suggest approximately 175 cm (5’9″).

Has Princess Leonor ever dated Gavi?

The Royal House denied the rumor. There is no credible evidence of a relationship with footballer Gavi Martínez.

Who is Princess Leonor’s sister?

Her younger sister is Infanta Sofía, born in 2007.

Who is the current King of Spain?

King Felipe VI, her father, has been king since 2014.

Where is Princess Leonor studying now?

She is undergoing military training at academies for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, a process that began in 2023 and is expected to continue through 2025-6.

How much is Leonor’s net worth?

No personal net worth is publicly documented. The royal family’s budget is institutional, not personal.

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison

About the author

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison is Editor-in-Chief and a writer at PressOrbit, covering UK news, business and public affairs. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process, from research through to final approval, so that each article is accurate, clearly attributed and useful to readers.