Princess Leonor to begin university studies in Madrid

Princess Leonor is set to begin her degree in Political Science at Universidad Carlos III in Madrid on September 7. This marks a new phase in her preparation as the future head of state, transitioning from three years of military training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza, the Naval Military School in Marín, and the Air and Space Academy in San Javier to a public university setting.

Unlike her previous military education, this stage will involve daily interaction with hundreds of students in a public campus environment. The transition presents unique challenges regarding privacy and media presence; while her father, King Felipe VI, attended university in an era without social media, Leonor will face the constant presence of smartphones and platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where content can go viral instantly.

The university has not implemented a specific protocol for the Princess, relying instead on general coexistence laws and regulations regarding recording devices. Leonor enters the program through a different pathway than standard applicants, having completed her International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales.