King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain say goodbye to their daughter, Princess Leonor, as she embarks on a six-month boat trip that will take her around the United States.
Felipe, 56, and Letizia, 52, watched proudly as the 19-year-old took part in a departure ceremony before setting sail from Cádiz aboard the Juan Sebastián Elcano for a navy training cruise.
The future queen looked solemn as she joined her fellow students, all aspiring officers of the Spanish Navy, in the procession before the three-masted sailing ship set sail from the port of Cádiz.
Meanwhile, her parents smiled and waved goodbye, and King Philip looked like an effusive dad as he documented the milestone by taking photos of Leonor.
The young royal is on a training cruise, sailing across two oceans and visiting 10 ports and eight countries in the Americas, according to The Vanguard.
He follows in the footsteps of his father, Felipe, and his grandfather, King Juan Carlos, who also made a similar trip.
Leonor, who began three years of military training in 2023, looked perfect in her navy blue uniform.
She styled her brunette tresses into a sleek low bun, allowing her sailing hat to sit comfortably, and added a pair of white gloves.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain say goodbye to their daughter, Princess Leonor, as she embarked on a six-month naval training cruise on Saturday.
The future queen, 19, smiled at onlookers as she joined her fellow students on the deck of the ship Juan Sebastián Elcano
The royal wore little makeup for the occasion, revealing her naturally glowing complexion.
Meanwhile, Letizia looked effortlessly chic in a dark blue pantsuit, which she paired with a white shirt tied in a chic bow at the neck.
The mother of two finished her look with a gold headband peeking through her brunette hair, as well as black heeled loafers.
King Philip of Spain wore his own navy blue uniform for the occasion, as the royal couple warmly greeted their daughter as they waved to the crowds of spectators who came to see off the procession.
At one point, Felipe gently wrapped his arm around Letizia’s waist, surrounded by cheering locals, as they watched Leonor embark on a new chapter.
Footage from the ceremony showed her daughter walking in step with her fellow students as she boarded the ship before the navy hopefuls gathered on the deck, laughing and chatting among themselves.
In the run-up to what promises to be a great maritime adventure, Leonor attended the annual Military Easter event at the Royal Palace in Madrid with her parents.
Letizia put on a stunning display in a beautiful burgundy dress and elegant black fur coat, while Felipe and Leonor wore full military attire alongside.
Felipe and Letizia say goodbye to Leonor on her departure from Cádiz
The royal couple looked like Leonor’s proud parents at the farewell ceremony.
At one point, Felipe gently wrapped his arm around Letizia’s waist, surrounded by cheering locals, as they watched Leonor embark on a new chapter.
Princess Leonor talks with one of her fellow students
Footage from the ceremony showed Leonor walking in step with her fellow students as she boarded the ship before the navy hopefuls gathered on the deck.
The Spanish princess smiling and greeting her parents, who came to say goodbye to Leonor
The mother of two seemed in good spirits as she walked alongside her teenage daughter, beaming with pride as she prepared to mark the annual military event, which is a national holiday in Spain.
The Queen of Spain wore a long red and burgundy dress and a pair of kitten heels of the same tone.
Shielding herself from the cold blast, Letizia snuggled up in a chic black fur coat and pulled the chic dress up to her chin.
The Spanish royal sported completely glamorous makeup with a perfect base, bronze accented cheeks and a lip filled with blush.
Letizia looked fresh off the red carpet, with her glossy brunette locks blow-dried to perfection.
Accessorizing the ensemble, the former journalist donned a set of classic pearls around her neck, doubling it with a set of matching drop earrings.
On the other hand, Felipe, 56, looked elegant in all his military attire, wearing a khaki suit, a red waistband – which represents the highest military rank – and a pink and white striped sash.
The king served in the military for almost three decades until he acceded to the throne in 2014.
Letizia, 52, pictured leaving the Spanish Navy training ship Juan Sebastián
Felipe documented the historic moment by taking photographs of Leonor on his phone, while Letizia watched
Princess Leonor looks solemn during the military procession
Throughout his long military career, King Felipe was promoted on multiple occasions, reaching the status of lieutenant colonel in the Army, frigate captain in the Navy and lieutenant colonel in the Air Force in 2009.
Upon becoming king on June 19, 2014, when his father abdicated, King Philip was appointed commander-in-chief of the entire army.
Next to her parents, Princess Leonor, 19, who began three years of military training in 2023, looked perfect in a navy blue uniform.
The young royal sported soft but glamorous makeup with shimmery eyeshadow, a perfect foundation and lightly dusted cheeks of bronze.
Leonor began at the Marín Naval Military School in the summer of 2023 and has since been promoted to the rank of Cadet Ensign and awarded the Grand Cross of Military Merit by her father.
On Monday morning the family arrived to attend the Military Easter, which is celebrated every year on January 6 at the Royal Palace of Madrid.
The event began with the New Year’s Military Parade in front of the Royal Palace and after the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute, King Felipe reviewed the Royal Guard.
During the event, the King of Spain receives numerous official guests including the President of the Government, the Minister of Defense, the Chief of Defense, the Chiefs of Staff of all branches, the Grand Masters of the Royal and Military Orders of San Fernando and San Hermenegildo, the heads of the Civil Guard and the Brotherhood of Veterans of Spain.
Letizia looked effortlessly chic in a dark blue pantsuit, which she paired with a white shirt tied in a chic bow at the neck.
The mother of two finished her look with a gold headband peeking through her brunette hair, as well as black heeled loafers.
Princess Leonor offered a salute during the military ceremony
After the king has reviewed the troops in the courtyard of the Royal Palace, the officials will proceed to the Throne Room of the Royal Palace, where several military personnel will be rewarded for their service.
Although it focuses on a main event in Madrid, the military event is celebrated throughout Spain in its different military barracks.
The outing is the Spanish royal’s first public appearance since the start of the New Year, as the two had a busy schedule in the run-up to Christmas.
The king and queen were seen attending a groundbreaking ceremony for a new hospital just before Christmas, and both struck a festive tone for the event.
The mother-of-two appeared to be leaning towards Christmas hues as she sported a scarlet suit with a cream satin shirt.
She accessorized it with sophisticated suede pumps and a matching taupe clutch.
Letizia wore her brunette locks in a blowout style and opted for glamorous makeup with bold lipstick and bronze eyeshadow.
The royal couple showed their support for the Cuenca University Hospital, which will have new technology, more beds and operating rooms, as well as a wider range of services.
The photos showed the smiling couple posing for photographs while chatting with other attendees.