What if Princess Leonor took a sabbatical?

Prince Christian from Denmark18, first in line to the Danish throne, is in luck. This Monday he finally completed his high school graduation and among the questions from reporters it was inevitable: What are his plans now? “I’ll likely go out to see the world, challenge myself in new ways, and prepare for different things.“, he assured in front of the microphone. A reaction that indicates that the eldest son of Frederick of Denmark will follow the fashion trend Royal Family, take a gap year. but what will happen If Princess Leonor did the same,

Princess Eleanor is the same age as Christian of Denmark. They both became adults last October.but Danish education consists of three years of high school instead of two like in Spain. That’s why King Frederik’s successor has not yet completed his studies.

Christian from Denmark She began high school at a boarding school, just as Leonor de Borbón did, although in her case without leaving the country. However, she was forced to change centres when the sexual abuse controversy at the school became public. But she has completed her studies without any major problems and, like Leonor, without being told what their final grades were,

When Leonor was about to complete her studies in Wales, it became known that her next step would be to begin military training. Although it was not made official, it was expected among experts that she would follow this path starting in Zaragoza. He follows in his father’s footsteps And it meets the expectations of the Spanish. This is the same direction that other European successors in King Philip’s generation have followed, but it does not seem that people are choosing this option. Contemporary of the Princess of Asturias,

Rest periods in Europe are “taken away”

But the case of Christian of Denmark is not an isolated one. The two eldest daughters of the kings of the Netherlands Princesses Amalia and Alexiahas also decided to give himself some time after finishing his secondary education. In the case of the second in the line of succession, this has been done with Some privacyWhich has also caused some discontent in Dutch society.

There have also been some cases in King Philip’s family. Infanta Cristina’s youngest daughter, Irene, He wanted to turn down the offer to study hospitality and change his life. After an internship at a hotel in Geneva in July, he went to Madrid to get his driving license and then volunteered in Cambodia. Like this The decision was deferred for a year How to continue your studies.

In recent years, European culture has been adopting this practice gap year or a sabbatical year. A fairly common choice between Anglo-Saxon companies and from the north of the old continent. It consists of dedicating an academic year Travel or explore other opportunities Rather than continuing to study. It is used to make more informed decisions about what you like or what you might do better at.

Although many of these students work in menial jobs that do not require special training, As aupair or waiterIt is not a case of Royal Family. They travel and volunteer without commitment and with total freedom, without money problems. Therefore, it is normal that these types of traditions are somewhat less widespread in the less fortunate countries of the European Union.

In fact, the gap year in Spain is directly related to privilege and Financial peace of mind. In fact, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy, in the third quarter of 2023, 15.5% of young people between 16 and 24 years of age who were studying are also working.

Will Leonor take a sabbatical year?

Princess Leonore’s plans are currently set until at least 2026. After passing a course in General Military Academy of Zaragoza After training as a woman-cadet in the Army, she will remain in the Navy.

This year he will be a midshipman in both Naval Military School of Marin (Pontevedra)as was the case on the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano. And finally, in the 2025-2026 academic year she will complete her third year in the Air and Space Force, and will join the General Air Academy of San Javier as a student second lieutenant for the 2025-2026 academic year.

During this phase, in which she will pass through the three services, it is expected that the Princess will also continue her university studies to obtain an undergraduate degree and, where appropriate, a postgraduate degree. This is what the Royal House said Last year, however, it was not specified if at the end of the military part he would go to class at a center, as King Felipe did in the autonomous community of Madrid.

In any case, it seems impossible That a princess like Leonor, heir to the Spanish throne, can allow herself the privilege of a year of rest. In past events and ceremonies she has attended, she has always made this clear He intends to be more present in public life.So, it would be surprising if he, having kept himself away from the role for so many months, suddenly decided to end it completely.

There are only two successors who have followed in Princess Leonor’s footsteps in Europe. Similarly, Women toosince the next generation of Royal Family The future queens have a clear dominance over the Europeans. One is the princess Elizabeth from Belgiumheir to the Belgian throne and who combined her university studies at Harvard with short experiences in military life. The second is Ingrid from Norwaydaughter of Prince Haakon and, therefore, third in the line of succession. In her case, this year she began her military training at the Øverbygd Engineer Battalion.