Leonor and Sofia of Spain, the new official portraits

Last October 31st future Queen Leonor of Spain has turned 18 and for her – who that day, more excited than ever, swore on the Constitution – it began a new phase of life. With more honors – among the first, the main one is the right of succession to the Crown – but also more burdens: from now on he will have to participate in the main institutional events and represent dad Philip VI of Spain in some ceremonies and celebrations. An important change that is starting to be noticed even in the details. For example photos. The official website of the Spanish Royal Housein fact, has just been updated to show us a new portrait of Leonor and also of her sister, the infanta Sofia.

The two images were taken on the very day in which Leonor in front of the Cortes, the Parliament gathered in solemn session, swore loyalty to the Constitution supported by her parents – father Philip VI and mother Letizia Ortiz – and in front of her younger sister Sofia, arrived from Wales, where she studies, so as not to miss such a significant moment for the family. In the new portrait, the Toisón de Oro pin stands out on Leonor’s white dresssymbol of his status as heir to the Crown. A status that became official, on the day of his eighteenth birthday, with the oath to the Constitution. Because the oath was, in fact, theacceptance of his destiny: to become Head of State when the time comes.

Felipe and Letizia wanted to raise Leonor and Sofia as girls «normal», keeping them as far as possible from the spotlight and clamor of public life. And now they have returned them to the world, as demonstrated by the new official photos, grew up apparently all at once. In previous official images on the Royal Household website – taken in 2020 – Leonor and Sofia still looked like children. The new portraits tell the story of the physical transformation of the two sisters but also of their new life, which began with the eldest daughter’s eighteenth birthday.

For the two sisters, who have always been very close, from that day on, different destinies officially opened up: the eldest will be queen and has a future already written, the youngest will have a role to be invented. Sofia will probably be very active within the familybut with a “supportive” role and a much more independent life, as were the aunts Cristina and Elena, their father’s sisters, who married the men they loved (even if things didn’t go exactly like in fairy tales) and in turn raised children free from an official life. Leonor and Sofia have different destinies. The eldest, unlike her little sister, is growing up with a crown in her pocket. But at the moment Sofia (unlike Harry of England) does not seem to suffer at all from its role as a “spare”, reserve. Maybe at just 16 years of age he is already aware that not having the weight of the Crown on him means less power, but also less responsibility and more freedom.