training day and life jacket

It has been two weeks since the Princess of Asturias entered the Naval School of Marín to complete her military training after passing through the Military Academy of Zaragoza. She did so with nerves but great enthusiasm and it has not been difficult for her to integrate with the rest of her classmates, who have welcomed her with open arms and a loving nickname: princesa Top Gun. Leonor, who did not arrive in the desired physical shape and follows a special exercise plan, has already overcome the adaptation process and is beginning to participate in training activities with the rest of her classmates.

The last one was this Wednesday, as revealed by the Navy itself on its official X account (formerly Twitter): “As every week, the students of the Naval School go out to sea in the Pontevedra Estuary to carry out Marine Instruction activities. Knowledge of the maritime environment is essential in their training as future Navy Officers,” they wrote along with three photographs. In one of them, Leonor appears, dressed in her day uniform (black trousers and white polo shirt) and with a yellow life jacket. She is accompanied by three other students with whom she chats animatedly while observing the direction of the sails.

In their daily life, the students of the Naval School adhere to a strict schedule of activities that begin at 6:45 in the morning. Between 9:00 and 9:45 they have physical education and at 10:30 they have instructional activities, which are repeated at 15:30 and 17:45, in addition to the training. In addition, the heiress, as a third-year student, will embark on the training cruise, the Juan Sebastián de Elcano Training Ship. A six-month journey, where the midshipmen “will lay the foundations of the seafaring training that will accompany them throughout their career,” according to the school’s website. In this routine, physical and sporting activity plays an essential role for the students, so Leonor must make a maximum effort in training.

Upon arrival at the academic centre, Leonor received the badge as a distinguished student along with other classmates. “A recognition that is awarded at the beginning of the course to students who have met certain requirements in the previous year, related to the grades obtained, grade of instruction and training or absence of disciplinary offences,” reports the Royal Household. In Leonor’s case, the proposal for distinguished student comes from the General Military Academy of Zaragoza, where she successfully completed the last course.