In a lavish and nationally televised ceremony on Tuesday, Spain’s heir apparent, Princess Leonor, swore allegiance to the constitution on her 18th birthday. However, the momentous occasion was marked by notable absences and boycotts by republican government ministers and nationalist MPs, highlighting the deep-seated divisions surrounding the monarchy in the country.
Princess Leonor’s pledge of allegiance comes 37 years after her father, King Felipe VI, took the same oath on his 18th birthday. The ceremony, a symbol of the continuity of Spain’s parliamentary monarchy, took place in the lower house of Parliament and was a prerequisite for her future succession as queen.
Spain’s acting prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, amidst recent criticism, voiced support for the monarchy, stating, “With Princess Leonor’s oath, Spain today reaffirms the strength of its institutions and of its democracy, which is based on the constitutional principles of coexistence, equality, liberty and political pluralism.” His remarks were posted on X, a platform that has seemingly replaced Twitter.
However, this sentiment was not universally shared within his cabinet. Ione Belarra, the Podemos leader and acting social rights minister, expressed her dissent, stating on X, “The monarchy is looking to perpetuate itself over the coming decades but we are hoping that the institutions of state come under citizen sovereignty as soon as possible.” Similarly, Irene Montero, the acting equality minister, made an apparent reference to corruption investigations surrounding the monarchy, commenting, “The hereditary principle of the institution of the monarchy isn’t just outdated, it’s also incompatible with democracy. As, of course, is corruption.”
The day’s proceedings were also boycotted by pro-independence parties from Catalonia and the Basque region, further illuminating the contentious role of the monarchy in Spain. According to a 2022 poll by Sinaptica, 51.6% of Spaniards expressed a preference for a republic over the 34.6% who supported the monarchy.
Leonor’s swearing-in comes at a time when the Spanish royal family is striving to mend its image, tainted by scandals involving former King Juan Carlos, Leonor’s grandfather. Juan Carlos left Spain in 2020 amid investigations into alleged financial irregularities, residing now in Abu Dhabi. Although the investigations were subsequently dropped, the shadow of his past actions looms large over the monarchy.
Despite controversies, Princess Leonor remains a beacon of hope for many as the modern face of the future monarchy. With terms like “Leonormania” being coined, she represents a fresh start for the royal institution. She recently completed her high school in Wales and began military training in Spain. Fluent in multiple languages including English, French, and Catalan, Leonor has been praised for her “unwavering passion for learning, for understanding people, and exploring diverse perspectives.”
As the young princess takes on a more prominent role, it remains to be seen how the monarchy will navigate Spain’s intricate socio-political landscape in the coming years.