Princess Leonor lauds young innovators at Girona awards as Spain reaches World Cup final

At the 2026 Princess of Girona Awards held at Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu, Princess Leonor delivered a speech in which she described the six awardees as her “natural intelligences.” She highlighted their work ranging from Mercedes Bidart’s AI‑driven micro‑financing platform to Hatim Azahri’s community sports initiative, to astrophysicists Rafael Luque and José Eduardo Méndez, filmmaker Gemma Blasco and bioplastic entrepreneur Patricia Aymà. Leonor emphasized that her role models are not famous people but those who create tangible social impact.

The ceremony coincided with Spain’s 2‑0 semifinal victory over France in the 2026 World Cup. King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía watched the match from a Barcelona hotel, all wearing white Spain jerseys with their names on the back. They posted a supportive message to the team and the King confirmed his attendance at the final in New Jersey.

Leonor’s appearance in a white dress, her poised delivery, and the royal family’s public celebration underscored the growing institutional role of the Spanish monarchy in promoting youth talent and national sport achievements.