After a new period of instruction that ended just ten days ago, Princess Leonor de Borbón participated this Tuesday in the events celebrating the 142nd anniversary of the General Military Academy of Zaragoza, where she began her three-year military training last summer.
The ceremony, presided over by Lieutenant General José Manuel de la Esperanza and Martín-Pinillos, head of the Training and Doctrine Command, took place under a strong sun, which caused more than one fainting among the cadets who formed in the Parade Ground.
During the ceremony, the cadets who have completed a semester at the North American military school at West Point have been decorated. Likewise, the appointment of honorary lady cadet 2024 has also been awarded to Paloma de Yarza López-Madrazo, president of the regional newspaper Heraldo de Aragón, for her cooperation, dedication and support from the civil sphere to the institution.
In a brief speech, the general director of the Academy, General Manuel López Pérez, appealed to the “Spirit of the General”, founded in the time of Alfonso XII in Toledo and reopened a century ago in Zaragoza, and recalled the values in those that cadets must train: “love of the country, loyalty to the King, military spirit, discipline, vocation to serve Spain, loyalty, courage and selflessness,” among others.
In this almost century and a half of history, more than 30,500 officers of the Army, Civil Guard and Common Corps have been trained at this center, including King Emeritus Juan Carlos I (1955-1957); his son, the current King Felipe VI (1985-1986 academic year); and the Princess of Asturias (2023-2024 academic year).
Like her classmates, cadet Borbón Ortiz has formed in the courtyard and has participated in the students' parade before the civil and military authorities present there dressed in the dress uniform of the Army, a suit reserved for "occasions of special relevance.”
It is a period garment that consists of red pants and a navy blue jacket, as well as the Spanish red hat with a different colored feather depending on the soldiers' rank. In the case of the princess it is red, a tone that distinguishes the first and second year cadets.
Among the civil personalities present were the Government delegate in Aragon, Fernando Beltrán, the president of the Cortes of Aragon, Marta Fernández and the recently appointed Justice of Aragon, Concepción Gimeno. In addition, there were about 200 attendees in the stands, many of them relatives of the cadets.
After this big day, the heir to the throne will resume her usual classes until next March 11, when she will have to face a new period of instruction. On this occasion she will be at the San Gregorio maneuvering field, a military training center of the Army close to the Academy facilities where training maneuvers are usually carried out, especially armored and mechanized.
After concluding her studies in the Aragonese capital in July 2024 with her appointment as Lady Second Lieutenant Cadet, the specific plan that was designed for her contemplates that she continue with her three-year military training at the Marín Navy Academy (Pontevedra) and , the following year, in the Aire de San Javier (Murcia).
