13-Year-Old Spanish Princess Gives First Royal Speech

13-year-old Princess Leonor, the heir to the Spanish throne, gave her first official public address as a royal on Wednesday. The future queen celebrated her 13th birthday speaking at an event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution.

Leonor, as the eldest daughter of King Felipe, is the heir to the Spanish throne

The event, which took place at the Cervantes Institute in Madrid, saw the Princess address the nation for the very first time, while her father proudly stood next to her. She read the first of the 169 articles of La Carta Magna, which Spain's parliament had passed in 1978.

Leonor is the eldest daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia. Her younger sister, Princess Sofia, is aged 11. Clad in a blue dress, Leonor took to stage to speak after her father made opening remarks at the event. Her mother and sister sat in the audience and saw her deliver the speech.

King Felipe, now 50, was also 13 when he gave his first public address as a royal

Earlier in January, King Felipe awarded Leonor the Order of the Golden Fleece, an honour marking her first step on the path to becoming queen. The Order of the Golden Fleece dates back to 1430. Roman Catholics of the highest nobility receive this honour. The move marked a symbolic step on her path to future assumption of the crown.

On Wednesday, the princess reportedly read the first article of Spain’s Magna Carta of 1978. The article relates to the establishment of the country’s parliamentary monarchy. The video of the event clearly shows the king beaming with pride and joy, watching his daughter address the citizens.

Leonor was born on October 31, 2005. In addition to the official title of Princess of Asturias, she bears the historical titles of Princess of Girona, Princess of Viana, Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera and Lady of Balaguer.

Leonor, on ascending the throne, will be Spain's first queen regnant since Isabella II, who reigned from 1833 to 1868.

Featured image credit: The Cut

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