Act of Oath and Order of Charles III as Princess Leonor Turns 18

Her Royal Highness, Leonor, The Princess of Asturias turns 18 years old today, October 31, 2023. Instead of having a white tie birthday reception in the palace as customary for other royals in the continent, the Spanish Royal Family held formal events that have something to do with her role as an adult Heir Presumptive.

Act of Oath of the Spanish Constitution 

​As customary for the future Spanish monarch, The Princess of Asturias has sworn to the Spanish Constitution, upon reaching the age of majority, before the Cortes Generales gathered in Solemn Session in the Chamber of the Congress of Deputies.

The Princess of Asturias Sworn to the Spanish Constitution ©Casa Real Spain 

Afterwards, the president of the Congress of Deputies declared:

“The Cortes Generales have just received the oath that Your Highness has taken, in compliance with the Constitution, as heir to the Crown. Ladies and gentlemen. Long live the Constitution! Long live the king! Long live Spain!”

At the time of the swearing in of the Constitution by Princess Leonor, in the Armory Courtyard of the Royal Palace, the Honors Group of the Royal Guard was formed. 

Its Music Unit has performed the National Anthem, in its brief version, while, on the esplanade of the Almudena Cathedral, the Honors Section of the Royal Battery has fired a salute of nineteen guns, which are the military honors that correspond to Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias.

After finishing the session, Their Majesties the King and Queen and Their Royal Highnesses the Princess of Asturias and the Infanta Sofía, went to the Press Desk where the presidents of the Congress and the Senate presented Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias with the medals. Princess Leonor then signed the second edition of the Book of Honor of the Congress of Deputies.

New family portrait of the Spanish Royal Family on the occasion of Princess Leonor's 18th birthday ©Casa Real Spain 

In the Hall of Lost Steps, the Royal Family greeted all those invited to the event: vice presidents and acting ministers, dean of the Diplomatic Corps, presidents of the autonomous communities, former presidents of the Government, head of the opposition, parliamentary spokespersons, speakers of the Constitution, former presidents of both chambers, mayor of Madrid, president of the Council of State, president of the Court of Accounts, Attorney General of the State, Ombudsman, Secretary of State for Relations with the Cortes, heads of the General Staff, delegate of the Government of Madrid, deputies and senators and other guests.

Military Parade for Princess Leonor's birthday ©Casa Real Spain 

Upon leaving the Congress of Deputies, Their Majesties and their daughters, together with the representatives of the high institutions of the State and the autonomous communities attended the military parade in which units from the three Armies and the Civil Guard participated.

Act of Imposition of the Collar of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Carlos III 

Following the military parade, His Majesty the King imposed the Princess of Asturias the Collar of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Carlos III, in the presence of the powers of the State. 

King Felipe VI imposed the Order of Charles III collar to his daughter ©Casa Real Spain 

The Princess of Asturias took the oath in application of article 61.2 of the Spanish Constitution, which establishes that: “The Crown Prince, upon reaching of age, and the Regent or Regents upon taking charge of their functions, will take the same oath, as well as that of fidelity to the King ."

Her Royal Highness received the Collar of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III, from His Majesty the King, after swearing in the Spanish Constitution before the Cortes Generales. 

This was followed by a lunch offered by Their Majesties the King and Queen to representatives of the high institutions of the State.

Princess Leonor wore the Order of Charles III Collar ©Casa Real Spain 

Order of Charles III

The Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Carlos III is Spain's highest honor granted to individuals with extraordinary services to the nation. 

Established by King Charles III of Spain in 1771, it consists of the following degrees: Collar, Grand Cross, Commendation of Number, Commendation and Cross. 

The Charles III Necklace is reserved for members of the Spanish Royal Family, heads of State and Government, and those Spanish citizens who have held the Grand Cross for more than three years. 

The number of living Spanish citizens who, with the exception of the Royal Family, can receive the Necklace is restricted to 25. It is the same as UK's Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Furthermore, this insignia can be granted "to people of foreign nationality, provided that they rendered extraordinary and meritorious services to Spain, or out of courtesy and reciprocity to high dignitaries of other nations."

The Princess of Asturias 

As she turns 18, Princess Leonor will now begin her life as Spain's working royal and will now increasingly take official royal duties to take the load of public engagements from her parents. 

The Princess of Asturias in white pantsuit on her birthday 

Princess Leonor kept things simple on her natal day by wearing bespoke white pantsuit from Sastreria Serna, Madrid, Spain and a pair of white shoes from Lodi. The only jewelry she wore was a pair of Tanzanites earrings from Gold and Roses. 

Happy birthday Princess Leonor! 🎂🎈🎉

Source: Casa Real website