Princess Leonor of Spain presented her old mobile phone at the Paris Olympics on Monday.
The 18-year-old heir to the Spanish throne joined her sister, Infanta Sofia, 17, in the stands of the Eiffel Tower Stadium on the third day of the Olympics to watch a beach volleyball match between the Netherlands and Spain.
The 18-year-old proved she’s just like any other teenager by playfully taking selfies with her iPhone, with the screen protector crumbling off the sides.
It is not the first time that the Spanish royal, who is set to make history as Spain’s first ruling queen since her fourth-great-grandmother, Isabel II, who reigned from 1833 to 1868, has shown her down-to-earth nature.
It’s an approach that is cementing her position as the people’s princess, along with her military training, impressive speeches and elegant sense of style.
Princess Leonor of Spain (pictured left) showed off her shabby mobile phone at the Paris Olympics as she took a selfie with her younger sister, Infanta Sofia (pictured right)
The princess made her first public speech in 2018, when she was just 13 years old, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution.
In 2019, she gave an impressive speech at the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards in Barcelona in four languages: Spanish, Catalan, English and Arabic.
In addition to inheriting her mother’s refined sense of style, she is said to have learned to play tennis, sail, gymnastics and play the cello.
The royal made her first solo appearance without her mother and father at the age of 15 when she presided over the 30th anniversary of the Cervantes Institute in Madrid in 2021.
Six months later, the princess headed to Wales to study at the private Atlantic College.
Leonor enrolled on a two-year course, costing £67,000, to study for her International Baccalaureate diploma at the school, which she has now completed.
To prepare for her role as Spain’s head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Leonor has completed three years of military training as is tradition, following in the footsteps of her father, King Felipe.
After training at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza, the Spanish equivalent of Sandhurst, he went to the naval school and completed his three years at the General Air Academy.
The Spanish royals let their humour run wild by taking photos in the stands of the Eiffel Tower Stadium.
The 18-year-old’s black iPhone had a worn screen protector on the sides.
The Princess revealed her excitement about being a cadet at the Princess of Girona Foundation awards ceremony in Girona, Catalonia, last year.
She said: ‘I have just finished high school and I am about to start a new stage with a period of military training.
‘I am happy because I know how much we Spaniards value our Armed Forces… it is an important moment in my life and I feel very excited and determined to continue learning and giving the best of myself.’
It was also revealed that the young princess will study law at university once she completes her training with the military, although her choice of university has not yet been revealed.
In October, the young royal, whose formal title is Princess of Astorias, swore allegiance to the Spanish constitution in the lower house of parliament in Madrid.
The daughters of Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia appeared emotional as they watched the drama unfold.
Despite the country’s political divisions, reports from Spain suggest the nation is largely united behind the young princess, who is completing her military training in her role as Cadet Bourbon.
While studying at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, the royal kept her appearances to a minimum.
But he has gradually gained prominence since assuming his military role, which has caused his popularity to skyrocket.
According to El Español newspaper, Princess Leonor is now the most popular member of the Spanish Royal Family, even surpassing her father, King Felipe.
At the Princess of Asturias Awards to be presented in Oviedo, Spain, in 2023, the Princess acknowledged the importance of these events for her future role as Head of State.
She said: “I understand very well and I am aware of what my duty is and what my responsibilities are.”
The couple smiled for a photograph in front of the Eiffel Tower as they supported Spanish athletes competing in the Olympic Games.
On Monday, Leonor took a break from her royal duties to enjoy the Paris Olympics.
Princess Leonor and her younger sister, Infanta Sofia of Spain, were photographed smiling and chatting as they watched a game of beach volleyball.
The pair seemed engrossed in the game as they cheered enthusiastically from the stands at the Eiffel Tower Stadium.
The royal duo sat next to Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish Olympic Committee, who was wearing a red and yellow shirt in support of his country.
Leonor, heir to the Spanish throne, was photographed wearing a navy blue polo shirt with the colours of her country’s flag around the hem of the sleeves.
She paired it with white pants and her pink Paris Olympics lace and gold earrings.
Sofia sported a simple yet chic ensemble consisting of a white polo shirt and a pair of modern light wash denim jeans.
The couple looked chic as they opted to wear their brown hair down and wear natural, bright makeup.
