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A new chapter awaits Infanta Sofía, and the Spanish royal household has just announced what her post-summer life will look like. The King and Queen of Spain's youngest daughter will pursue a degree in Political Science and International Relations at the private school, the Forward College, studying across three European cities: Lisbon, Paris, and Berlin.
The news puts to rest one of the biggest questions surrounding the royal family. It marks the first time that Sofía is stepping onto a completely different educational track than her sister, Princess Leonor. While Leonor wraps up her naval training and prepares to continue her military studies in the Air Force, Sofía is preparing to start university life.
With a strong academic record and a curious mind, Sofía had many options on the table. Ultimately, she chose Forward College, a London-affiliated institution with campuses in three countries. Its degrees are recognized across the European Higher Education Area and are academically guided by the prestigious London School of Economics. Sofía will begin classes this fall, after her summer vacation, which, like everything in the royal world, is challenging to coordinate as the family’s schedules get more complex.
The three-year program at Forward College costs around €18,500 (approximately $20,160 USD) per year, an amount the King and Queen will cover through their official allowance. The school founded in 2021 by Boris Walbaum, Celine Boisson, and Jeffrey Sampson was built on the belief that education is about “cultivating the life and world we want to see tomorrow.” Its curriculum was designed to develop cognitive, social, emotional, and practical intelligence, preparing students to navigate and shape an ever-changing world.
Sofía’s personal decision to attend this university does reflect that she has some flexibility, which comes from being the second daughter in a royal family. Yet, every move she makes has to align with the values and responsibilities of the Crown. Choosing to study the social sciences as a royal is more than an academic path; it’s a signal of vision, values, and institutional awareness. It’s an education that fosters cultural and political fluency, vital for anyone with public responsibilities.
While Sofía made the academic choice herself, there were two key conditions: the cities had to be close enough for her to fulfill her royal duties in Spain (each under a three-hour flight from Madrid), and the studies needed to serve the interests of the monarchy. She felt drawn to Forward College’s vision, an elite school that accepts only one in every eleven applicants and hosts students from over 40 countries. Her first year will include courses in Political Science, Philosophy, History, and Business. Although the university offers student housing, her specific living arrangements have not been disclosed yet.
Recently, Sofía completed her International Baccalaureate studies at UWC Atlantic College in southern Wales. This was the same school her sister Leonor attended. Her parents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, were present at the emotional graduation ceremony, where teachers praised Sofía’s empathy, warmth, and attentive nature. Her two years at the U.K. boarding school were marked by academic excellence, focus on leadership, critical thinking, and global citizenship.
Sofía turned 18 this past April, celebrating the milestone quietly with her family. The Royal House celebrated the occasion by releasing official portraits taken in the gardens of the Zarzuela Palace. The next day, she received her first major honor: the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, a gesture from her father that set the foundation for a future in service to Spain.
Beyond her studies, Sofía has already stepped into royal life, taking on her first solo engagement and regularly supporting her sister at significant events, from the Princess of Asturias Awards to representing Spain at the Paris Olympics.
In a touching speech during King Felipe’s 10th anniversary on the throne, the two sisters said: “Since we were born, we’ve been taught the value of this institution, the Crown, its role in society and its purpose to serve everyone.”