Princess Leonor has been appointed a student naval ensign and will receive the Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit with White Distinction.
This is the same prestigious honor her father, King Felipe VI, received in 1988 when he was Prince of Asturias after completing training at the General Air Academy. This places Leonor in a similar position as she prepares to complete her three-year military education.
The award marks the final stage of the Crown heiress’s military training, which has taken her through the General Military Academy, the Naval Military Academy, and now the General Air and Space Academy. It also completes a set of three top military honors.
Leonor previously received the Grand Cross of Military Merit after graduating from the General Military Academy in Zaragoza and the Grand Cross of Naval Merit after completing training at the Naval Academy in Marín.
On Monday, June 29, Spain’s Council of Ministers approved two royal decrees marking another step in her official role. The first formally appoints Princess Leonor as a student naval ensign, a rank awarded after completing studies at the General Air and Space Academy in San Javier, Murcia.
This plan has been in place since 2023, when the government approved a royal decree outlining the Princess of Asturias’ military training and career path. The law ensures Spain’s future queen receives top honors from each branch of the armed forces as she completes each stage of training.
Under Spanish rules, this decoration is awarded for distinguished merit, service, achievements, or contributions during military missions or work related to national defense.
The medal is a white-enameled cross on a white ribbon with two red stripes, each one-eighth of the ribbon’s width, with narrow white edges on both sides.
With this latest award, Princess Leonor has now received the highest honors from all three branches of Spain’s armed forces, joining the Air Force decoration with the two she already has:
Grand Cross of Military Merit after training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza
Grand Cross of Naval Merit after graduating from the Naval Academy in Marín
The Princess of Asturias’ latest appointment closely follows her father’s military path. King Felipe VI received the same honor in 1988 when he was Prince of Asturias and had completed training at the General Air Academy.
Thirty-eight years later, the same pattern is repeating with Spain’s future queen, highlighting the monarchy’s focus on preparing the heir to the throne through military service.
Princess Leonor’s time in Murcia also left a strong impact both personally and officially. On June 3, she officially said goodbye to the region and received strong public support along with top local honors: the Gold Medal of the Regional Assembly of Murcia, presented in Cartagena; the Gold Medal of the Town of San Javier; and the title of Adopted Daughter of the municipality.
During her farewell speech, Leonor surprised many by quoting Cartagena indie rock band Arde Bogotá, giving a cultural reference that resonated with younger generations:
“Like a cowboy on the A3, I’ll miss that drive I’ve taken so many times on my way to the sea.”
The lyric was carefully chosen and reflects themes of the open road, returning home, friendship, nostalgia, and memorable life journeys.
