The “Juan Sebastián de Elcano,” the Spanish Navy’s emblematic training ship, sailed into Santo Domingo’s port on Monday, 19 May 2025, with the Spanish royalty heiress Princess Leonor of Borbón on board as part of her military training. Her father, today King Felipe VI had also visited on the same tallship during his training years.
The brigantine-schooner, one of Spain’s most iconic vessels, traveled here from Colombia.
Princess Leonor is the elder daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. As such, she is the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne, holding the title of Princess of Asturias. This means that upon her father’s eventual abdication or death, she is next in line to become Spain’s Queen. Her military training, including this transatlantic voyage, is a crucial part of her preparation for her future role as head of state and supreme commander of the armed forces.
The Spanish Embassy in the Dominican Republic announced that the “Juan Sebastián de Elcano” will remain in Santo Domingo for five days, departing on 24 May for its next port of call: New York before it crosses the Atlantic to return to Spain.
During its stay, a variety of official, academic, and cultural activities are anticipated, with the participation from local authorities, the Spanish diplomatic corps, the Spanish expat community.
There is speculation that Princess Leonor could meet in the DR with her grandfather, Emeritus King Juan Carlos I when taking time off from her training duties.
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20 May 2025