Princess Leonor turns 17: 12 interesting facts to celebrate the royal’s birthday

Leonor, King Felipe and Queen Letizia’s eldest child, was born in Madrid on October 31, 2005.

The Princess’ godparents are her paternal grandparents, Spain’s former King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía. She was christened in 2006.

Leonor became a big sister in 2007 with the birth of Letizia and Felipe’s second child, Infanta Sofia.

King Felipe presented his daughter with the Order of the Golden Fleece in Jan. 2018.

On her 13th birthday in 2018, the Princess gave her first public speech at an event commemorating the 40th anniversary of Spain’s Constitution.

Leonor presided over the Princess of Asturias Awards for the first time in 2019. “In my house, the words Spain and Asturias are always united with the same force with which history has united them. That’s how I feel it in my heart and that today is a very important day in my life that I have looked forward to,” she said in her remarks at the ceremony.

The future Queen visited the headquarters of the Instituto Cervantes in honor of the institute’s 30th anniversary on March 24, 2021, marking her first solo engagement.

Leonor began her two-year International Baccalaureate program at UWC Atlantic College in Wales in 2021.

The royal previously attended Santa Maria de los Rosales School with her sister Sofia.

Leonor became the heir to the Spanish throne when her father became King in 2014.

Queen Letizia’s firstborn holds the title of Princess of Asturias, as well as the titles of Princess of Girona and Princess of Viana. She also holds the titles of Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera and Lady of Balaguer, per the Royal Household of Spain.

Leonor will be Spain’s first Queen Regent since Isabel II, who ruled from 1830-1904.