Spain's Princess Leonor and King Felipe share first joint training flight

On 19‑21 June 2026, Spain’s King Felipe VI and his 20‑year‑old daughter, Princess Leonor, took part in a joint military training flight at the San Javier aviation academy in Murcia. Leonor, who is undergoing a three‑branch military education, flew a Pilatus PC‑21 turboprop with instructor Captain Elena Gutiérrez, while King Felipe rode in a separate aircraft. The two aircraft circled the Mediterranean coast near La Manga del Mar Menor, and photos released by the royal household on Instagram showed the father‑daughter pair sharing an emotional moment after landing.

The event was highlighted as part of the 12‑year reign anniversary of King Felipe and Queen Letizia. Leonor’s broader training includes army and navy assignments, and she is slated to receive the rank of officer in the army and air force and a naval badge later in the year. She will begin studying political science at the Universidad Carlos III in Madrid in 2027, preparing for her future role as commander‑in‑chief of the Spanish armed forces and eventual queen.