The swearing in of the Constitution by Princess Leonor, upon reaching her majority, is not only a symbolic and historical act. There is a before and after in Leonor’s life. This also implies a new communication strategy on the part of Zarzuela.
The change in the communication strategy of the Royal House in light of Princess Leonor’s coming of age means many things, such as that we are going to see her much more. When Zarzuela distributed a hundred images of the princess’s life days ago, the starting signal was given to a plan that she has been preparing for a long time. Maybe for 18 years. But it is now that this new stage in Zarzuela’s communication begins.
The princess has been very protected and so has her image. From now on she will be even more subject to the public spotlight because she assumes her role as Heir to the Crown. She will star in many more events. This change has been gradual: four years ago she accompanied the kings for the first time in the parade on October 12 and shortly after she gave her first speech at the Princess of Asturias Awards. It was just the beginning, since the princess’s role will be greater from now on she will attend receptions, will State visits to leaders of other countries, which he will also receive, will have his own agenda and his secretariat. And he will also give more public speeches.
Ready to reign
Formally, Leonor is already prepared to exercise the head of state if her father is not there or if for any reason she cannot do so. She is beginning her military preparation, she will go through the three armies and then complete her academic training with knowledge of Economics and Law, especially in material that allows her to understand the State, its institutions, and international relations.
But from now on, from this Tuesday, the commitment of the Heir of Felipe VI before the Cortes Generales means that from this Tuesday she would automatically be queen in the event that her father ceased to be King due to death, abdication or for any reason.
The first-born of the Kings goes to the Congress of Deputies this Tuesday to be the protagonist of the most important event to date in her institutional life. As stated in article 61 of the Constitution, it is foreseen that when the Heir to the Throne reaches her majority she takes a solemn oath of the Magna Carta before the Cortes Generales.
This act is the essence of what will happen at 11:00 a.m. in the Congress of Deputies in the plenary session. We are talking about her most important institutional act as the future Queen and a great step in which she will reaffirm her commitment to the nation.
Felipe de Borbón did the same 37 years ago before the deputies and senators when he came of age. The oath implies that the Princess of Asturias reaffirms as an adult her destiny, marked since her birth and which made her heir to the Crown after the proclamation of her father as King on June 19, 2014.
Leonor’s titles
Since that moment, Leonor de Borbón has held the dignity of Princess of Asturias, in accordance with the provisions of article 57.2 of the constitutional text. In addition, she holds the titles of princess of Girona and princess of Viana, corresponding to the first-born children of the kingdom of Castile, the Crown of Aragon and the kingdom of Navarre, whose union formed the Spanish monarchy in the 16th century. Likewise, she is Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera and Lady of Balaguer.
Before the Chamber, Princess Leonor will pronounce the following formula (and on the same copy of the Constitution) that her father used in his swearing-in on January 30, 1986 when she became of age: “I swear to faithfully perform my duties, to keep and ensure that the Constitution and the laws are upheld and that the rights of citizens and the autonomous communities and fidelity to the King be respected.” She gives thirty words with which she commits herself to the Crown and she says yes to being the heir princess to the throne. In addition to being born into the Royal Family, she accepts the obligations that the Magna Carta contemplates for her as the future head of State.
He reigns instantly the moment his father ceases to be King for any reason.
Since that oath, Leonor is ready to reign. If the King were absent, she could assume the throne automatically since article 59 of the Constitution only contemplates regency when the King or Queen is a minor, in which case the father or mother of the King or Queen and, Failing that, the oldest family member closest to succeeding the Crown, according to the order established in the Constitution, will immediately begin to exercise the Regency and will exercise it during the time of the King or Queen’s minority. The oath implies the definitive reinforcement of the legitimacy of the dynastic position enjoyed by the Princess of Asturias.
Declare war, be the supreme head of the Armed Forces, sign treaties, accredit ambassadors
Leonor, like her father now, will serve as head of state in the future, although without executive power and subject to the constitutional text to which she is committed. It will accredit ambassadors and diplomatic representatives, it will express the consent of the State to be bound internationally through treaties, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws and, with prior authorization from the Cortes. And she will be able to declare war and make peace. Leonor, when she is queen, will be the Captain General of the Armed Forces, she must sanction and promulgate the laws, convene and dissolve the Cortes Generales and call elections, call a referendum, propose the candidate for president of the Government, appoint and remove the members of the Government, at the proposal of its President; issue the decrees agreed upon in the Council of Ministers, confer civil and military positions and grant honors and distinctions in accordance with the laws, be informed of the affairs of State and preside over the Councils of Ministers when it deems appropriate at the request of the President of the Government. .