Infanta Sofía has briefly stepped away from Portugal for her second solo engagement as a member of the Spanish Royal Family. Coinciding with King Felipe VI’s birthday, Sofia, the youngest of his daughters, visited the new facilities of the ONCE Foundation’s breeding and training center, where guide dogs are prepared to assist people who are blind or visually impaired.
© Casa de S.M. el ReyAccording to the nonverbal communication expert José Luis Martín Ovejero, Infanta Sofía stood out in her visit due to her warmth, personal involvement, and even a touch of shyness. “Her facial expression radiates tenderness as she looks at someone we don’t see—someone she clearly trusts—sharing her emotions openly,” he said to ¡HOLA! Spain.
During the visit, Sofía spoke very little. “She doesn’t ask questions or exchange opinions; she simply listens. She practices what I call the forgotten art of listening,” continues Ovejero. He also highlights her shyness in her body language, describing her “contracted postures and minimal use of space, with none of the expansive gestures typical of someone seeking the spotlight.”
© Casa de S.M. el ReySofia remained fully attentive throughout the visit. “She never seems distracted—not even for a moment—by what is being explained or by the puppies playing around her,” he adds.
Her involvement was evident as well: “She crouches down, gets close to the puppies, pets them. Her body language never suggests disengagement; instead, it leans toward the people speaking to her and the dogs themselves. She is clearly enjoying the moment."
What Sofia is doing now
© Casa de S.M. el ReyInfanta Sofia is currently enrolled in school. She's studying Political Science and International Relations at Forward College. Last year, the Royal House shared that, unlike her sister Leonor, Sofia wouldn't be pursuing military training. This marks the first time that the sisters' education deviates from one another, surely a significant moment for both and a trend for their future.
Sofia has a bit more freedom than her sister, who's set to inherit her father's throne. While Sofia decided to study at Forward College, she had to meet two conditions: the city of her school had to be close enough to Spain to fulfill her royal duties, and her studies had to serve the interests of the monarchy.
Forward College is an elite institution, accepting only one in every eleven applicants. It also welcomes students from over 40 countries. Sofia's first year will include courses in a variety of topics, among them political science, philosophy, history, and business.
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