Princess Leonor of Spain can be seen carrying a rifle and wearing her army kit as the Spanish Royal Household release new pictures of her during her military training.
The 17-year-old heiress to the throne is currently on a three-year military training as she prepares to become the Queen of Spain and supreme commander of the country’s armed forces.
Leonor can also be seen receiving her officer’s sabre at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza – which gives her the title of lady cadet – to mark her entrance into the Officer Scales of the General, Quartermaster, and Polytechnic Engineer Corps of the Army, as well as the Guardia Civil Corps.
The pictures show her in her cadet uniform during her basic military training which involves going on expeditions and carrying out exercises as well as shooting drills, combat track traverses, topographical routes, light passes and watercourse crossings.
The young royal can also be seen chatting, laughing and posing with her colleagues.
The eldest daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia has passed the instruction phase, as well as the basic military training phase, a period which lasted from August 31 to September 10, and which is deemed as a fundamental and very important part of the training of future officers in the Spanish army.
Spain’s heiress can be seen complying with the army’s rules even when it comes to her appearance.
According to the regulations, “hair shall be of a natural colour” and “in the case of long hair, it shall be worn tied back or in the form of a bun, the latter being obligatory for formations of special relevance or significance”.
“For instructional, campaigning or sporting activities, hair may be worn in a ponytail or braid.”
The young royal is following the rules with most of the pictures showing her wearing braided buns at the back of her head with golden hairpins and a hairnet (accessories that are allowed).
The Princess can also be seen wearing a braid whilst carrying out different exercises with her companions.
In some of the snaps, Leonor is also wearing a hat over her head and during a shooting practice, she is seen protecting her eyes with goggles.
By attending the General Military Academy in Zaragoza – the Spanish equivalent of Sandhurst – Princess Leonor is following in the footsteps of his father Felipe and grandfather Juan Carlos.
