Jeans, a white blouse, trainers and a large shoulder bag. No military uniform, no ceremonial dress and, as far as possible, no royal protocol. Princess Leonor has begun a markedly different chapter of her life – as a student at a Spanish public university.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
For many of those arriving on campus this morning, the first day of the academic year brought an unexpected encounter: Spain’s future queen was suddenly walking to class alongside them.
The Princess of Asturias has begun a four-year degree in Political Science at the Carlos III University of Madrid, studying at its campus in Getafe.
The choice is significant. Rather than attending an exclusive private institution, Leonor has opted for a public university – following, in that respect, a path similar to that taken by her father, King Felipe VI, who studied law at Madrid’s Autonomous University.
For Leonor, however, the intention appears clear: university is to be more than another carefully managed stage in her preparation for the throne. As far as her position and security arrangements allow, she wants to experience it as an ordinary student.
Surprise on campus
Leonor arrived shortly before 9am, dressed much like many of the young people around her: jeans, a white blouse and trainers, with a large black bag over her shoulder.
Her appearance inevitably attracted attention.
Students quickly realised who was walking among them. Mobile phones appeared, photographs and videos were taken and some of her new fellow students seemed visibly surprised to find the heir to the Spanish throne sharing their campus.
Leonor, meanwhile, appeared relaxed and cheerful, smiling and greeting people as she made her way through the university.
Asked about beginning this latest stage of her education, she said she was starting it “con muchas ganas” – eager and enthusiastic about what lies ahead.
The university’s rector also described her as calm and excited about beginning her studies.
La Princesa Leonor inicia como una alumna más el grado de Ciencias Políticas en la Universidad Carlos III
La heredera al trono ha comenzado este lunes sus clases en el campus de Getafe, donde cursará el plan de estudios ordinario mientras atiende sus compromisos institucionales… pic.twitter.com/HX1BoDCLSc
— EL MUNDO (@elmundoes) September 7, 2026
In the lecture theatre, a student like the others
That sense of normality is expected to remain an important part of Leonor’s university experience.
There will, inevitably, be security around the princess. It would be unrealistic to expect the heir to the throne to move around a university campus exactly as any other 20-year-old might.
But the intention is for those arrangements to interfere as little as possible with everyday university life.
Academically, Leonor is expected to attend lectures, complete coursework and sit examinations as her fellow students do. Her degree is not a bespoke royal programme created specifically for her.
She will, of course, have to combine her studies with an increasing number of official duties as heir to the Spanish throne.
But inside the classroom, the principle is strikingly simple: she is there to study.
Following in her father’s footsteps – but not entirely
There are obvious parallels with Felipe VI.
As crown prince, Felipe also attended a public university, studying law at the Autonomous University of Madrid between 1988 and 1993.
His arrival caused considerable excitement too. Students gathered outside the faculty to catch a glimpse of the young prince, although the novelty gradually faded and his presence became a more familiar part of university life.
Leonor’s academic path, however, is not identical to her father’s.
Felipe’s university education was more specifically tailored to his future constitutional role, combining his law degree with additional studies in economics.
Leonor is beginning with the standard curriculum of a Political Science degree.
Her studies will take her through subjects including political science, constitutional law, public administration, global politics, economics and political history, with opportunities to specialise through optional modules later in the course.
From military discipline to student life
The contrast with the past three years could hardly be greater.
Leonor has completed successive periods of military training with Spain’s army, navy and air and space force – an intensive programme designed to prepare the future commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Now the uniform has been exchanged for jeans, military routines for lecture timetables and academies for a campus filled with thousands of young people.
Of course, Leonor can never be completely anonymous.
She remains Princess of Asturias and heir to the Spanish throne. Security officers will remain nearby, photographers will continue to follow her and official engagements will periodically interrupt the rhythms of student life.
But there is something revealing about the image Spain saw this morning: a future queen carrying her bag across the campus and heading to class while other students walked beside her.
For the next four years, Leonor will have to balance two lives that could hardly be more different – preparing to become Spain’s head of state while also attending lectures, completing assignments and sitting exams.
And judging by her first morning in Getafe, she appears determined that, whenever circumstances permit, university should offer her something increasingly rare in her life: the chance simply to be one student among many.
