Princess Leonor closed out a defining chapter of her public life this July 10 in San Javier, wrapping up the training she began at 17 when she entered the General Military Academy in Zaragoza. Three years later, she arrived in Murcia as a cadet second lieutenant in the Air and Space Force, ready to receive her officer's commission, the rank of alférez (roughly equivalent to ensign or second lieutenant), not the higher rank of teniente, which won't come until next year, once the classmates she started her joint training with finish their own studies. It marks the formal end of a stage that showed her as a fully integrated military trainee: disciplined, steady, and capable of handling demanding physical and technical requirements.
© Getty ImagesThe day was overshadowed by the devastating wildfire that broke out in Los Gallardos, Almería. The Spanish national anthem, performed by the band of the General Air and Space Academy (AGA), kicked off the ceremony at 10:30 a.m. The King and Queen and Infanta Sofía arrived five minutes later, their expressions solemn. The concern was obvious. Like the rest of Spain and the Royal Family, the head of state had one eye on what was unfolding in Almería.
A Moment of Silence and Words From Felipe VI
© Getty ImagesBefore leaving Murcia, Felipe VI spoke briefly to update attendees on the Los Gallardos fire and announced that, given the severity of the situation, the Royal Family would skip the celebrations planned for later in the day. The King, who joined Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofía for a moment of silence, thanked the members of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) deployed on the ground and encouraged the graduating class and their families to carry on with the Academy's planned program.
"We want to convey our condolences, our love, and our support to everyone who has lost loved ones, and also acknowledge the anguish of those still waiting for word on people who haven't yet been located," the King said.
Ending With the Family Photo
© Getty ImagesThe ceremony wrapped up with the traditional family photo, closing out an event that turned out shorter and less emotional than expected, though there was no shortage of hugs and pride among the graduating class, who threw their caps in the air in celebration as a final flourish.
Princess Leonor has now closed a major chapter of her life and is heading into what will be her longest summer in years, even though it will include official appearances split between Girona and Mallorca. Next up: college. Princess Leonor will study political science at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), on its Getafe campus, a program she'll be immersed in for the next four years.
How One Commander Summed Up Leonor's Time at the Academy: "Exemplary"
© Getty ImagesIn his remarks, Colonel Luis Felipe González, director of the General Air and Space Academy and head of the San Javier base, opened by addressing the Almería wildfire tragedy directly, offering condolences to victims' families and the institution's support to everyone affected. After that message of condolence, he turned to Princess Leonor's time at the AGA, calling her performance "outstanding" and noting she'd shown a "deep and deliberate" capacity for learning, in line with the demands of modern flight training.
The colonel said the program the princess completed was fully aligned with 21st-century standards, both academically and operationally, and he described her conduct throughout the course as "exemplary," praising her integration, discipline, and commitment. He also noted that Princess Leonor will return to San Javier next year to receive her official commission, an event scheduled for July 2027, once she completes her military training with the Navy.
The Commissioning Ceremony Begins
© Getty ImagesThe commissioning ceremony continued as the rest of the cadet second lieutenants from the Academy's various corps were called forward. The new officers advanced in groups of nine toward the table to receive their commissions, in a ceremony attended by numerous military and civilian officials.
Princess Leonor took her seat in the royal box alongside the King and Queen and Infanta Sofía, greeting each of them with a hug before sitting down. For a few moments, the Queen and her daughters chatted quietly as the next part of the ceremony was arranged. King Felipe VI then presented a special commendation to the four top-performing cadets of the graduating class, one of the ceremony's most solemn moments.
The Princess of Asturias Arrives With Her Classmates
© Getty ImagesQueen Letizia and Infanta Sofía waited in the shade while King Felipe VI inspected the cadet squadron assembled on the parade ground. After greeting the officials present, the King, accompanied by the Queen and his younger daughter, made his way to the box reserved for the official delegation.
Following that, Felipe VI personally presented Princess Leonor with the Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit with White Distinction. After receiving the honor, father and daughter shared a brief embrace before the King returned to his seat and the Princess of Asturias stepped away.
© Europa Press via Getty ImagesThe King's Concern Was Impossible to Miss
The King's expression needed no explanation. As a Royal Household statement made clear that same morning, Felipe VI expressed his sorrow over the deaths reported just hours earlier in the Los Gallardos fire in Almería, which was still burning, with the UME deployed and the death toll rising with each new update.
Infanta Sofía, Always by Her Sister's Side
© Getty ImagesInfanta Sofía, who has supported her sister at every turn, wasn't about to miss a day like this one. She arrived just days after a milestone of her own: this past Wednesday in Zaragoza, she delivered her first-ever public speech at the Docentes Referentes awards, one experts say she handled well.
Leonor Says Goodbye to San Javier
Over the past year, San Javier has been the backdrop for her development as a military pilot. It's where she took the controls of a Pilatus PC-21, completed her first solo flight, and repeated it months later with a confidence that impressed even her instructors. It's also where she took part in SERE survival training, mentored younger cadets, and lived alongside her peers in the hangars and around the Mar Menor.
A New Chapter Begins for the Princess of Asturias
© Getty ImagesThe day also marks a turning point. Leonor is leaving the Air and Space Force behind and heading into an unusually long summer before starting her political science degree at Universidad Carlos III in Getafe, Madrid. The lasting image from this July 10 in Murcia will be that of an heir who followed through, without exception, on the commitment she made when she began her military training: preparing, from the inside, to one day serve as supreme commander of Spain's Armed Forces.
Following in Her Father's Footsteps
Princess Leonor's time at the General Air and Space Academy retraced almost the exact path her father took nearly four decades earlier, when Felipe VI completed his own flight training there as part of the 41st graduating class during the 1987-1988 academic year. With the 2025-2026 academic year now complete, the princess has finished her military training across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, closing out the program designed to prepare her institutionally for her future responsibilities as Princess of Asturias.
© Getty ImagesEyes on the Almería Fire
Even though the Royal Family's schedule kept them in Murcia for the morning, King Felipe and Queen Letizia have had one eye on the serious wildfire burning in Los Gallardos, Almería, since early morning, a fire that has already claimed lives and prompted the deployment of the Military Emergency Unit (UME).
"We are profoundly saddened by the tragedy of the Los Gallardos fire. We express our sorrow and grief to the families and loved ones of those who have died, and to everyone affected. We also want to recognize and support the emergency responders and all personnel who, with professionalism and dedication, continue working to address this situation," read the full statement released by the Royal Household earlier that morning.
Princess Leonor to Receive the Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit
© Getty ImagesThe General Air and Space Academy in San Javier hosted the commissioning ceremony for new officers this Friday, starting at 10:30 a.m., an event presided over by the King and Queen and Infanta Sofía, along with Defense Minister Margarita Robles. At the same ceremony, which marked the end of the academic year, Princess Leonor received the Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit with White Distinction, an honor granted by the Council of Ministers on June 29.
