In the 1980s, the world couldn’t look away from Princess Diana. In the early 2010s, it was Kate Middleton. Now, according to various publications, a new name has joined that royal lineage: Princess Leonor of Spain.
© Europa Press via Getty ImagesTatler, the British society magazine, drew the comparison on social media, celebrating the Princess of Asturias’s 21st birthday on October 31. "The eighties had Princess Diana. The early 2010s had the Kate Middleton effect. Midway through the 2020s, Gen Z has decreed: Princess Leonor of Spain is their royal idol," reads the post on Instagram, paired with photos of Leonor over the years, from official engagements connected with her military training to her life as a university student.
It’s a birthday that lands at a meaningful moment. In September, Leonor, the elder daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, began university, and her responsibilities as heir to the throne are becoming increasingly visible.
She’s dominating the headlines at home, but the international press is just as captivated, celebrating her as a Gen Z royal fully invested in her future as Queen of Spain, whose warmth and maturity have drawn admirers from all over the world.
Why the world is watching
© Tim GrahamTatler didn’t stop at the Diana comparison. “There’s no denying the fascination with the beautiful eldest daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. The social (media) set is captivated by the fact that, when she ascends the throne, she will become Spain’s first reigning queen since 1868," the magazine added.
"They’re equally impressed by her military training, having taken in the army, navy and air force. And now, Princess Leonor is adding academia to her CV. Having begun her studies at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid this September, the Princess of Asturias is working towards a degree in Political Science," continued the outlet.
"Brains and beauty, all she needs now is a crown…"
© Getty ImagesIn a longer feature, the magazine went on to explore Leonore, revisiting her recent speech at the Princess of Asturias Award, held in Oviedo a week before her birthday, describing her as one of the most qualified Gen Z royals in the country.
That question sat at the heart of the speech itself. As reported by our sister website HOLA! Spain, from the stage of the Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo, the princess asked: “How do we keep our enthusiasm in these times of deep social disenchantment, of disbelief and inequality, of conflicts, extremism, populism, technological and hybrid wars, liquid realities, realpolitik, threats, uncertainty, all of it amplified, on top of that, on social media?"
Paris weighs in
The French press joined the celebration, too. Gala’s headline described Leonor as more independent than ever and as a young future queen taking her place in the monarchy. The magazine noted that Leonor has stepped up her official engagements and appearances, receiving the proper preparation for her future role as Queen.
The outlet Point de Vue paid special attention to the bond between Leonor and her father, assembling a series of memorable images that stretch from the day she was born to their most recent appearance together earlier this month.
© AFP via Getty Images
