By Alyssa McMurtry
OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish throne, took a pledge of allegiance to the Spanish Constitution on Tuesday, promising to “faithfully perform her functions" as future queen.
The royal ceremony in the lavishly decorated Spanish parliament coincided with Leonor’s 18th birthday.
“Leonor’s vow today is the public expression of respect for our Constitution,” Francina Armengol, speaker of Spain’s parliament told the ceremony.
Her father, King Felipe VI, did the same thing as he reached adulthood. He became king when his father Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 amid scandals over corruption and excessive spending.
On the eve of Leonor’s vows, a poll suggested that 31.4% of Spaniards prefer a republic over a monarchy. Yet, it seems like the heir to the throne is playing an important role in refreshing the Spanish monarchy’s controversial brand.
The poll, conducted by NC Report, also found that 70.4% of Spaniards say Leonor has the qualities of a good head of state and even more approved of the steps she’s taking to prepare herself for the role.
“Princess Leonor is a dignified representative of a modern and open Spain; a young woman, who understands the feelings of her generation and the important challenges we have ahead of this,” said Armengol in the ceremony, discussing climate change, inequality, polarization and the need to uphold human rights.
However, divisions around Spain’s monarchy were notable in the event. Three of Spain’s far-left government ministers from the Podemos and Izquiera Unida party did not attend, asserting that they did not want to support the undemocratic institution. Members of parliament from several other regional parties also left their seats empty.
In contrast, royal supporters in Spain have been swept up in what the media is dubbing "Leonormania." Not only have Google searches for the princess spiked in recent weeks but her presence in other ceremonies has attracted record viewership and souvenirs with her youthful face are flying off the shelves.
This year, Princess Leonor began military training, again following in the footsteps of her father. Before that, she studied a two-year International Baccalaureate program in Wales.