Spanish Crown Princess Leonor celebrated her 18th birthday on Tuesday (October 31) by swearing allegiance to the constitution in the presence of the Cortes Generales, or the Spanish parliament.
The Princess of Asturias - as Leonor was known since her father, Spanish monarch Felipe VI, became king in 2014 - recited the same oath as her father when he, as Prince of Asturias, turned 18 in 1986.
According to the Associated Press, the event would solidify her position as heir to the Spanish throne and lay the groundwork for her eventual succession as queen in the future.
'Leonormania' Highlights Spain's October
The month of October has been busy for the royal family and the Spanish public, especially because this was the first time Leonor was seen after the COVID-19 pandemic and her subsequent studies abroad.
Specifically, she was publicly seen during the flag-swearing ceremony as a cadet of the General Military Academy of Zaragoza on October 7, the National Day parade in Madrid on October 12, and the Princess of Asturias Awards in Oviedo on October 20, when American actress Meryl Streep became one of eight awardees.
As a result, Spanish society adopted the term "Leonormania," which underlined the crown princess's growing popularity as the modern face of the future monarchy.
Her development as a public figure was important as she and her father were posed to reestablish the popularity of the Spanish monarchy after the controversies tampering with the reputation of her grandfather, King Juan Carlos, and her aunts.
Neither Juan Carlos nor his wife, Queen Sofia, were present in the special parliamentary session and the subsequent public luncheon at Madrid's Royal Palace, but would attend a more private family gathering at the Pardo Palace outside Madrid in the evening.
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Spanish Republicans No Show in Leonor's Oath-Swearing
However, not everyone in Spain follows the "Leonormania" hype.
Representatives from leftist political parties, including three government ministers under acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, as well as republican-leaning lawmakers from the Basque, Catalan, and Galician regional and separatist parties boycotted the event.
Talks of republicanism in Spain increased after Juan Carlos was involved in financial and infidelity scandals, which prompted him to leave Spain for Abu Dhabi in 2020.
The former king has made it known that he would like to return to Spain, but the matter would be up to his son Felipe and the Spanish government if he would be allowed to do so.
Who is Princess Leonor?
Leonor Borbon y Ortiz is the eldest of two daughters of Felipe and Queen Letizia, a former broadcaster and news presenter.
Aside from her public appearances and engagements, little is known about the crown princess's life and personality as she has yet to give media interviews. But during her graduation in Wales earlier this year, her fellow students cheered her and her tutors praised her "unwavering passion for learning, for understanding people and exploring diverse perspectives," as well as her sense of humor.
Leonor speaks English, French, Catalan, and a little Arabic aside from her native Spanish.
