Europe’s young heir to the throne
This is how they prepare for their future
Spain’s Crown Princess Leonor (right) is the first in line to the throne, ahead of her sister Sofia.
© imago/PPE
Elite schools, military training, university studies: Europe’s heirs to the throne receive extensive training to become king or queen.
They attend elite boarding schools, receive military training, get to know their country’s parliament and government and study at renowned universities: the young heirs to the thrones of the European royal houses. Here’s how to prepare for your royal legacy.
Crown Princess Leonor of Spain (17)
The daughter of King Felipe (55) and Queen Letizia (50) has just completed her international A-levels at the Welsh elite boarding school Atlantic College. As is tradition, she will then complete a three-year training course at the military academy in Zaragoza – one year each in the army, navy and air force. Background: As Queen, she will also be Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Father Felipe also studied at the military academy, then studied in Madrid and the USA.
Crown Princess Amalia of the Netherlands (19)
The eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander (56) and Queen Máxima (52) graduated from the Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet in The Hague in 2021. The Protestant private school is considered one of the best in the country. After that, she took a one-year sabbatical, during which she volunteered at various social organizations. She has been studying politics, psychology, law and economics at the University of Amsterdam since September 2022.
Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium (21)
The daughter of King Philippe (63) and Queen Mathilde (50), like Leonor of Spain, graduated from Atlantic College in Wales. She is fluent in French, German, English and Dutch. From August 2020 she studied for one year at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels. She has been studying history and politics at Oxford University since 2021.
Hereditary Prince Jacques of Monaco (8)
The son of Prince Albert (65) and Princess Charlène (45) is the first in line to the Monegasque throne. He has been attending the private Catholic school “François d’Assise-Nicolas Barré” with his twin sister Gabriella since 2021. He grew up bilingual, speaks English and French. Like his father, he will probably undergo intensive military training after he graduates from school.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway (19)
The daughter of Crown Prince Haakon (49) and Crown Princess Mette-Marit (49) is second in line to the throne behind her father. She goes to the Elvebakken State High School in Oslo and will graduate from high school this year. At 18 she completed military training, visited the army and navy and took part in various exercises. After graduating from high school, she will probably study abroad.
Prince George of Great Britain (9)
The eldest son of Prince William (40) and Princess Kate (41) is second in line to the British throne. He attends the renowned Lambrook School, a private school near Windsor Castle, where around 600 children between the ages of 3 and 13 study. The annual fee for the school is around 23,000 euros.
Prince Christian of Denmark (17)
The eldest son of Crown Prince Frederik (54) and Crown Princess Mary (51) of Denmark is second in line to the Danish throne. He attends Ordrup Gymnasium outside of Copenhagen, which focuses on cooperation with foreign schools (France, Germany, USA, China). The aim is for the students to form an international network at an early age.