Meet Spain’s stunning future queen Princess Leonor, who’s 18 today: Queen Letizia’s daughter was dubbed the ‘Royal G.I. Jane’, hung out with Meryl Streep – and is a natural fashion icon

Oct 31 , 2023

Princess Leonor, the future queen of Spain, just turned 18! Photo: Getty Images

Leonor, Princess of Asturias, the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne, has turned 18 on Halloween!

Princess Leonor understands her role as future monarch of Spain. Photo: @princess.leonor/Instagram

The royal addressed the Spanish public at the Princesa de Asturias Awards earlier this month, stating that she felt very well equipped for her future role as the nation’s monarch.

“I very well understand and am aware of what my duty is and what my responsibilities entail,” the then-17-year-old shared.

Here’s everything you need to know about Spain’s queen-in-the-making.

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Princess Leonor’s royal roots

Princess Leonor with her blue-blooded family. Photo: @fundacionprincesadeasturias/Instagram

Born in Madrid, Spain, on October 31, 2005, Princess of Asturias, Leonor de Borbón y Ortiz, is the firstborn daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. Her grandparents are the former (and now disgraced) King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía. She has a younger sister, Princess Sofía, who’s 16.

Leonor became heir to the throne after her father was proclaimed the current king in 2014, per her official biography. She also holds the titles of Princess of Asturias, Princess of Girona, Princess of Viana, Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera and Lady of Balaguer.

Queen Letizia of Spain and Crown Princess Leonor of Spain attend the Princesa de Girona Foundation 2022 awards at the Agbar Foundation in Barcelona, Spain, in July 2022. Photo: Getty Images

According to Hola!, Leonor will be Spain’s first queen regent in over 100 years, with the last one being Isabela II, who ruled from 1830 to 1904.

She’s been dubbed “Royal G.I. Jane”

Will Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith isn’t the only one who’s been referred to as the modern “G.I. Jane” in recent years (albeit that comment didn’t fare so well with the Smiths, as we infamously saw at the Oscars last year …)

This princess has proven her loyalty to her nation by enrolling at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza in Northern Spain, states British media, which lovingly dubbed her “Royal G.I. Jane”. Leonor is embarking on three years of intense military training, which will include experience with the naval academy and General Air Academy.

Other famous royals who have taken on military service include Britain’s Prince Harry and Prince William.

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She’s a fashion icon in the making

Queen Letizia of Spain and Crown Princess Leonor of Spain attend a concert ahead of the Princesa De Asturias Awards 2023 at the Prince Felipe Auditorium on October 19, in Oviedo, Spain. Photo: Getty Images

Leonor has grown up in the spotlight, with many long-time spectators watching the young royal’s sartorial journey over the years. From colour-coordinated dresses to Barbiecore pink suits, the queen-to-be is already proving to be a natural fashionista – and has the advantage of being able to ask her stylish mum for tips when she needs it.

She’s making more public appearances

Crown Princess Leonor of Spain attends several audiences at the Reconquista Hotel during the Princesa De Asturias awards 2023 on October 20, in Oviedo, Spain. Photo: Getty Images

The crown princess has been making more public appearances lately. Most recently, she greeted Hollywood legend Meryl Streep at the Princess of Asturias Award in Oviedo, Spain, where the Mamma Mia! actress was honoured with an award.

Her parents are close to Prince William and Kate Middleton

Crown Princess Leonor of Spain attends the Princesa de Girona Foundation 2023 awards at the Camiral Caldes de Malavella Hotel on July 5, in Girona, Spain. Photo: Getty Images

Being a royal certainly gives you some incredible connections. Leonor’s parents King Felipe and Queen Letizia have close links with the Prince and Princess of Wales, aka Will and Kate, per Hello! magazine.

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There have also been speculations by royal experts that William and Kate’s son Prince George, who’s second in line to the British throne after his dad, may follow in Leonor’s footsteps of joining military training in the years to come.

Royalty

Leonor, Princess of Asturias, turns 18 today! As King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s firstborn daughter, she became heir to the Spanish throne after her dad was proclaimed the current king in 2014
The future queen enrolled in military service, like Britain’s Princes William and Harry did in the past, and Prince George might in future – and she’s just as stylish as her mum