October ends in the best possible way for Princess Leonor as she turns 20. It’s a big milestone for anyone her age, marking the end of adolescence and the start of adulthood. For the first time in years, the heir to the throne can celebrate at home with family and friends since her birthday falls on a Friday. She’ll need permission from the Air Force Academy in San Javier (Murcia), where she’s training, to spend the weekend in Madrid. The timing is ideal since her grandmother, Queen Sofía, also celebrates her 87th birthday on Sunday, November 2.
After attending the events for Spain’s National Day, the Princess of Asturias Awards, and the visit to the Exemplary Town of Asturias, Leonor will finally have a quiet moment with her loved ones. This week, King Felipe and Queen Letizia haven’t had a packed schedule. The King will wrap up his duties on Friday afternoon after attending the first Ibero-American Future Congress, and the Queen has no public events. That means both parents can spend Friday with their daughter as she turns twenty. Leonor might join a family dinner that night, and her father won’t leave for Egypt until Saturday afternoon, giving them time together in Madrid.
Leonor will also be joined by her sister, Infanta Sofía, who studies Political Science and International Relations at Forward College in Lisbon. She’s currently on “reading week,” a break common at British and other Anglo universities meant for catching up on readings and coursework, so she’ll be able to come home too.
Despite the special occasion, the Royal Household won’t release official photos of Leonor. The Air Force Academy won’t share training images either, and there’s still no date set for her first solo flight.
Queen Sofía turns 87
Another royal celebration is coming up this weekend. Queen Sofía turns 87 on Sunday, and the best gift she could get is having her family gathered at home. Leonor is especially fond of her grandmother, so celebrating together is meaningful for her.
Family gatherings at the Zarzuela Palace are usually small buffets featuring dishes the guests enjoy, adapted to everyone’s preferences. For instance, Infanta Cristina follows a pescetarian diet, so she’ll have suitable options. The chocolate cake—a favorite of both Queen Sofía and Leonor—is a must, a sweet tradition Leonor inherited from her father.
The family celebration will likely take place Friday or Sunday since the King will be in Egypt on Saturday for the inauguration of the Grand Museum, joined by other royals like King Philippe of Belgium and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. If the weather cooperates, the gathering might even be held in Zarzuela’s gardens, though that depends on the dropping temperatures and possible rain.
No rush to wear a tiara
Leonor isn’t in a hurry to debut a tiara, so her birthday will be a simple, relaxed celebration with family and friends—no gala dinner. Friendship means a lot to her, and she may bring together people from different parts of her life: her classmates from Santa María de los Rosales in Madrid, friends from UWC Atlantic College in Wales, fellow cadets from Zaragoza, shipmates from the Juan Sebastián de Elcano, and her current Air Force peers. It’s the perfect chance to see everyone again now that she’s stationed in Murcia.