FOLLOWS IN HER FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS AS SHE SWEARS ALLEGIANCE TO SPAIN
It was a moment filled with family pride last week when Leonor, the Princess of Asturias, swore allegiance to the Spanish constitution in front of her proud parents.
In historic tradition on the day she turned 18, the heir to the throne gave her oath and pledged loyalty to her father, King Felipe VI, bowing her head to him as her mother Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old sister Infanta Sofía looked on.
Leonor, who looked suitably regal in a white trouser suit from Madrid tailor Sastrería Serna, proudly wore the Order of the Golden Fleece medal on her lapel to take centre stage in Spain’s parliament, the Cortes Generales.
MAKING HER PLEDGE
Loudly and clearly, she declared: “I swear to faithfully perform my duties, to keep and uphold the constitution and the laws, to respect the rights of citizens and the autonomous communities and loyalty to the King.”
Her vow was accepted by Francina Armengol, president of the Congress of Deputies, who said: “The Cortes Generales have just received the oath that Your Highness has taken, in compliance with the constitution, as heir to the crown. Ladies and gentlemen, long live the constitution! Long live the King! Long live Spain!” A cry of: “¡Viva!” rang out in response from the country’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and hundreds of politicians.
A cry of “¡Viva!” rang out around the parliament
CELEBRATIONS BEGIN
Leonor embraced her parents and the national anthem was played, before a 19-gun salute rang out outside the capital’s Almudena Cathedral, where Felipe and Letizia married in 2004.
In a touching gesture when his daughter was presented with the medals of Congress and Senate, the King gently untucked her ponytail from beneath the thick cords holding them, while the Queen ensured Leonor’s hair was in place.
Leonor also signed the Book of Honour of the Congress of Deputies in front of a striking portrait of her fat
