Spain’s Princess Leonor will begin military training later this year./Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
2023.03.16 Thu posted at 12:03 JST
（ＣＮＮ） Spain’s Crown Prince Princess Leonor, 17, will begin three years of training in the military in preparation for her future accession to the throne. Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed at a news conference on the 15th.
“Today’s Cabinet meeting approved a Royal Decree whose purpose is to provide[Princess Leonor’s]structure for military training and career development,” said Defense Minister Robles.
Princess Leonor, the eldest of the two daughters of King Felipe VI of Spain and first in line to the throne, will become commander-in-chief if her father abdicates or dies.
Princess Leonor, like her father, will attend the Spanish Army, Navy and Air Force academies for one year each.
Princess Leonor (left) and her father King Felipe VI
“When the time comes, a woman will be our commander-in-chief,” Robles said, adding, “In recent years, we have made great efforts to recruit women.”
Princess Leonor will begin her military training in August or September after graduating from UWC Atlantic College in Wales, where she is currently enrolled.
“This is an essential step in the life of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales to become the leader of our country,” Robles said.