Princess Leonor, 20, 'excited' as she's pictured on first day at university after completing 3 years in the military

Princess Leonor has officially become a university student after spending three years in the military. 

The eldest daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia traded in her uniform for the classroom on Monday morning as she was spotted arriving at Carlos III University of Madrid to begin a four-year programme in Political Science. 

At just before 9 am, she arrived alongside thousands of new students at the Getafe campus, just outside the capital. 

The Princess, 20, looked effortlessly stunning in a casual white button-down T-shirt and denim jeans, with a black shoulder bag containing her studying essentials. She looked like a typical student with her blonde locks pulled back into a neat French braid. 

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HELLO!'s sister publication in Spain, HOLA!, was at the scene on Monday morning to get the reactions as Leonor arrived. 

What do Princess Leonor's classmates think?

Hugo Pérez, a 22-year-old student, told HOLA: "You never see the campus like this, waiting for a student to arrive, but I've seen her as just another student. 

"The fact that she's from the Royal Household is a bit of a nuisance; she's not just another student, she's the Princess of Asturias. 

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"But if we didn't all know her, we could easily mistake her for a student – not a first-year student, because you can already tell she's 21, but a student from any other year."

Icíar Romero, a business administration student, imagines she'll see the Princess of Asturias on campus.

"I think it's an honor to share the campus, friendships, and classes; I love that she's one of us." She adds that it's "an opportunity to learn about other ways of life and for her to feel like one of the group, not like she's being watched. The first day might generate some excitement or intrigue, but we all come here for the same reason: to study and get a degree."

Leonor 'really looking forward' to her next chapter

Angel Arias, rector of Carlos III University, thanked the media for attending this special day for the institution. 

Angel said: "The Princess is excited, calm, and eager to begin," adding: "The first day will be completely normal, just like for the rest of the students. 

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"There will be a presentation by the vice-dean, and then her first class will be on legal theory,  taught by Professor Rafael de Asís, who was the first student of Peces Barba, the founding rector, at Carlos III."

Antonio Descalzo González, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, acknowledged that "it is a great responsibility for Carlos III University of Madrid" and clarified that there was no selection process for either professors or students. 

"Student selection is based on the university entrance exam score, and the faculty is the same as in previous academic years."

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Leonor's military training

Leonor has just completed three years of rigorous military training, which is all part of preparing her for her future role as queen. 

In a 2023 statement, King Felipe and Queen Letizia said they viewed the Princess of Asturias’s military training as both valuable and essential, noting that it strengthens her sense of duty and commitment

She first went to Zaragoza as a cadet. It marked her debut in uniform, and she was seen undertaking gruelling field exercises, rifle in hand.

At the end of that academic year, she was awarded the Grand Cross of Military Merit with white distinction by her father, the King.

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During the 2024 to 2025 academic year, Leonor joined the Spanish Navy as a midshipman, training both at the Naval Academy in Marín and aboard the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano. There, she undertook a month-long voyage that saw her cross the Atlantic and reach the Americas.

Leonor then continued her training at the General Air Academy in San Javier, Murcia. 

However, while her younger sister, Infanta Sofia, considered joining the army, she ultimately opted for a different path. 

Sofia, 19, is now based in Lisbon, where she is studying Political Science and International Relations at the private Forward College.

King Felipe previously studied Law at the University of Madrid, while Queen Letizia studied journalism.