Princess Leonor begins university studies in Madrid after completing military training

Princess Leonor of Spain has commenced her four-year Political Science degree at the Carlos III University in Madrid, following three years of military training. The 20-year-old royal heir arrived at the Getafe campus on Monday, September 7th, greeted by television crews and a security operation. University officials welcomed her warmly, including the rector Ángel Arias and the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Legal Sciences, Antonio Descalzo.

The princess expressed excitement about starting her course and meeting her classmates. Unlike her father King Felipe VI, who studied a tailored program combining Law and Economics, Leonor has chosen her own path of Political Science at the public university, approved by the king and queen. The Getafe campus offers a more common student environment compared to exclusive royal institutions.

The four-year degree covers a wide range of subjects, including political science, constitutional and administrative law, economics, history, political theory, sociology, and humanities. Leonor was admitted through the university's Early Admission procedure, based on her International Baccalaureate qualification from UWC Atlantic College in Wales.

The first term runs from September 7th to December 11th, with classes scheduled between 9am and 2pm, including seminars on Thursdays. Security measures will be in place to accommodate her role as the future queen, but the university has ensured they won't disrupt academic activities.