Following in the footsteps of her sister, Princess Leonor, the Infanta Sofía left for Wales this Tuesday 29th August to enroll at UWC Atlantic College and begin her Baccalaureate studies abroad. Since the daughters of kings Felipe VI. and Letizia were still small, their parents tried to bring them up as equals, so that the little one usually follows in the footsteps of the older sister. And all this despite one small, big detail: Leonor will one day be queen; Sofia No. It was precisely during this period that they prevented Sofía from feeling like second best. She hadn’t decided on her future yet, but her sister and parents convinced her to study at the same institution where the princess lived for two years, until she graduated last May. In addition to the kings, the Infanta Sofia also attended the closing ceremony, so she certainly had the opportunity to visit the facilities of her new school.
This Tuesday morning, Casa del Rey reported that the Infanta had traveled to Britain to begin her studies there a message on your social networks in which they witnessed the moment of their parents’ farewell. Four photos taken at the Zarzuela Palace before leaving. They feature Sofia saying goodbye to both the royals and family pet Jan, a Labrador Retriever we’ve seen for the first time.
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The first days of the Infanta in Wales will be marked by adjustment: she will learn how the boarding school works, how it is organized … Only on September 5 will classes officially begin. At UWC Atlantic College, Sofía de Borbón will meet students from 80 countries, share a room with three other girls and take on cleaning and hygiene tasks, just like her sister and classmates Alexia from the Netherlands did. Located 22 miles from Cardiff, the boarding school is based in the 12th-century St Donat’s Castle. The academic program combines science and literary subjects, while other subjects such as creativity, “theory of knowledge, community activities…” are also included.
The Infanta Sofía, accompanied by her parents, this Tuesday, August 29, before leaving for the airport. House of His Majesty the King
As with Princess Leonor, Felipe VI. and Letizia paid for their daughter’s stay in Wales out of pocket, which comes to around £74,000 (around €82,000) for the two courses. The Infanta can only return to Spain on specific dates set by the Centre. His first visit is scheduled for October 27th, which coincides with the autumn holidays, so he will not take part in the National Day parade on October 12th or the Princess of Asturias Awards, which take place on the 20th of the same month. Although he is expected to be there for his sister’s 18th birthday; The heiress to the Spanish crown will come of age on October 31.
The King and Queen bid farewell to their daughter who is leaving for Wales this Tuesday to continue her high school studies. House of His Majesty the King
Infanta Sofía already knows her Spanish classmates from boarding school. On June 14, an audience with members of the Board of Trustees of the Spanish branch of United World Colleges was held at Zarzuela Palace, attended by both the King and Queen. It was a first contact with some of the people who will guide her through her two years of high school.
Unlike her sister, Sofía will not meet a royal at boarding school. Princess Ariana, the youngest daughter of King Guillermo and Máxima of the Netherlands and of the same age as her (16 years old), last Friday also began her lessons in music at one of the UWC centers, more precisely on the Adriatic coast in Italy.
The Infanta Sofía this Tuesday at the Zarzuela Palace before leaving for Wales. House of His Majesty the King
In early 2023, the Infanta Sofía was unsure of which path to take: whether to move to Wales or stay in Spain. Eventually Princess Leonor convinced her sister by telling her about her experiences at the boarding school and she decided to take the demanding entrance exams. He did so under the pseudonym Dune — a nod to Frank Herbert’s book that was brought to the screen — a commitment by the center to make the selection process fairer. In addition, the center will maintain the organizational and security measures proposed for Princess Leonor.
Kings Felipe and Letizia with their daughters before attending the graduation ceremony for Princess Leonor at UWC Atlantic College in Wales last May. FRANCISCO GOMEZ (Casa Real/EFE)
In recent months, the Infanta Sofía has played an increasingly important and prominent role on the Casa del Rey official agenda. Her last public appearance before her trip to Wales was with her mother at the final of the Women’s World Cup on August 20 in Sydney (Australia). As a fan of women’s football, the Reyes’ youngest daughter was visibly moved and excited to witness a historic moment alongside the World Champions, who hugged them individually on the podium and shared the celebration on the pitch.
Before that appointment, on the other side of the world, the Infanta Sofía accompanied her sister when she was admitted to the Zaragoza General Military Academy. It is not yet known if he will follow his sister and join the army or if he will go directly to university. But he is only 16 years old, time to decide about his future and the freedom to do so.