Leonor says goodbye to Portugal with a swim and a visit to the Oceanographic

It was a heart-stopping day, but the Princess of Asturias has more than fulfilled her first official trip abroad. She has already returned to Madrid after fulfilling the last two commitments on her agenda: a visit to the Oceanário de Lisboa and a meeting with the Fundación Océano Azul. A perfect end to a friendly, well-measured visit, perfect for inaugurating the Spanish heiress’s international agenda.

Accompanied by her host, the president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousaand the biologist and educator Marina Duarte Reunion, Leonor He has toured the Portuguese Oceanarium and has enjoyed the facilities and its inhabitants: penguins, sharks or loggerhead turtles, among many others. He has rounded off the visit with a meeting with the Blue Ocean Foundationwhich works for the maintenance and well-being of the seas, and has taken a personal interest in some of the projects they carry out. Young scientists also participated in the round table, telling anecdotes about their marine expeditions and even having a funny anecdote: one of them went blank while speaking: “Sorry, this is my first time talking to a princess.”

Upon her exit, the princess greeted a group of children who were waiting to greet her and chanted her name. Very friendly, she chatted with the little ones and took numerous selfies while handing out hugs. A huge crowd that showed the affection with which the Portuguese welcomed the Spanish heiress.

The day began early in the morning at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, where she was given a farewell with honours. She landed at Figo Maduro Military Airport, where she was received by the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and from there to her first stop: a floral offering at the tomb of the Portuguese writer and poet, Luís Camões, at the Jerónimos Monastery of Santa María de Belém. She continued with a visit to the Jerónimos Monastery.

Already at the Belém Palace, the Princess of Asturias was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Christ by the President of the Portuguese Republic and signed the book of honour before enjoying a lunch in her honour, at which the daughter of Felipe VI and Letizia gave a heartfelt speech in Portuguese.