Princess Leonor Swears Loyalty to Spain on Her 18th Birthday

Tuesday was a big day in the Spanish royal family: Princess Leonor turned 18.

The Crown Princess of Spain, also known as the Princess of Asturias, formally swore an oath at the Spanish Parliament today to uphold the constitution, with her parents, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and her sister Infanta Sofía in attendance. Now, Princess Leonor can legally succeed her father, King Felipe VI, as monarch, and she can act as regent in his absence.

“On turning 18 today, and reaching the age of majority, I have taken the oath provided for in our Constitution. I have sworn to faithfully carry out my duties, to keep and ensure that the Constitution and the laws are kept, to respect the rights of citizens and the autonomous communities, as well as fidelity to the king,” Princess Leonor said, per the Royal Palace.

She added, “From today I owe myself to all Spaniards, whom I will serve at all times with respect and loyalty. There is no greater pride. On this very important day—which I will always remember with emotion—I ask you to trust me, as I have put all my trust in our future, in the future of Spain.”

You can watch her full speech, in Spanish, here. After the event at Parliament, Princess Leonor also received the Collar of the Order of Charles III, the highest civil honor in Spain, in a ceremony at the Royal Palace.

Princess Leonor, who graduated from UWC Atlantic College of Wales this spring, recently began three years of military training. When she takes the throne one day in the future, she will be the first queen regnant in over 150 years. The last queen regnant, Queen Isabella II, reigned from 1883 to 1868.

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