Published at 1:32 am. Updated at 7:00 a.m.
Surname
Leonor de Borbon y Ortiz
Old
18 years old
function
Princess of Asturias, heir to the Spanish throne
Identification mark
Blue eyes, renewal, pressure
Why are we talking about this?
Infanta Leonor has just turned 18 and is therefore suitable to succeed her father Felipe VI. to take the Spanish throne. She was sworn in this week before the extraordinary session of the two chambers of Parliament and vowed to “faithfully carry out” her duties, “to protect and ensure the Constitution and the laws, respect the rights of citizens and autonomous communities.” and to be loyal to the king.
A restored monarchy
The Spanish monarchy has been greatly weakened in recent years. The numerous scandals surrounding King Juan Carlos (corruption, money laundering, dubious gifts, wasteful spending) had destroyed the relationship of trust between the royal family and the Spanish. Leonor’s appearance is a new step in the rehabilitation process of Felipe VI, who tried to restore the family image after his father’s abdication (2014). “They are using the princess, her youth and her influence to continue this work of restoring the monarchy,” confirms historian Benoît Pellistrandi, an expert on contemporary Spain.
PHOTO MANU FERNANDEZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Princess Leonor and her father, King Felipe VI
A political system that works
Like the United Kingdom, Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The Crown has no real legislative power. But it is essential to the functioning of institutions and remains a symbol of national unity. For Benoît Pellistrandi, Leonor’s achievements secure the future of a functioning political system. “Compared to those who believe that the model is outdated, it upgrades constitutional Spain a little. »
Protest and exit from the crisis
You should know that republican sentiment remains strong in Spain, especially among the radical left (Podemos) and the Basque or Catalan independence parties. In 2020, 41% of Spaniards were in favor of a republic (Institut 40 db). In 2023, according to a Sigma DOS survey, 64% of Spaniards noted that the image of the crown had improved, without this being positive for the monarchy. “We will never be able to reach the membership numbers of the beginning of the 21st century, it is impossible,” admits historian Jordi Canal, professor at the School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Paris. But surveys show that people support Felipe VI’s work. recognize. Since 2014, the Spanish monarchy has been exemplary, transparent and helpful. So I think she has overcome the crisis. »
A first queen since 1868
Leonor’s performance is also a symbol of the new role of women in a Spanish society that is trying as best as it can to get rid of the culture of machismo. Consider the “forced kiss” affair that rocked Spanish football at the end of the summer and earned federation president Luis Rubiales a three-year ban. “We project this young woman as a symbol of the equality between women and men achieved in a democratic Spain,” emphasizes Benoît Pellistrandi. If she ascends the throne, Leonor will become the third queen in her own right, rather than queen consort, in the history of Spain, after Joanna I of Castile, known as “The Madwoman” (1504-1555), and Isabella II (1833-1555). 1868).
Fragmented political landscape
The princess’s oath comes at a time of uncertainty in Spain’s political scene. After July elections failed to produce a clear winner, outgoing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is currently trying to form a governing coalition. However, their success depends on the support of the Catalan independence party Junts per Catalunya, led by Carlos Puigdemont of Belgium and calling for an amnesty for all political prisoners jailed or exiled since the illegal 2017 referendum. Sanchez does not close the door to compromise, much to the dismay of the right and in particular the far-right Vox party, which organized a large demonstration against such a pact in Madrid last weekend. Poisoned alliance? “It will of course be fragile,” says Jordi Canal. But I think that the separatists will not stop there. Will they continue to support the government? At what price? »
PHOTO OSCAR DEL POZO, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Princess Leonor greets the crowd after her swearing-in ceremony on October 31 in Madrid.
People and politics
Long spared from the eyes of the media, Leonor will gradually enter the institutional life and emotional memory of Spaniards. Her clean image and blue eyes will be increasingly visible in the tabloid press. Above all, she must complete her military service and her university studies. “I hope that she will be spared from all the celebrity affairs that are sure to crop up,” concludes Benoît Pellistrandi. Inheriting a crown is not that easy…”