A line of cars queued at the doors of the General Military Academy of Zaragoza since early in the morning. The arrival of civilians and military authorities was a constant trickle. And, inside, battalions of cadets paraded back and forth. There was still an hour before the flag swearing ceremony for the first-year cadets began and the nerves were palpable among the 410 young people who, dressed in the Academy’s period uniform, received the final instructions. Among all of them was the Princess of Asturias, being one more, but not an equal.
The General’s patio was decorated, with all sides full of stands packed with family members and pastries hung from the windows. All the cadets, in perfect formation when the flag entered. It was 12:00 p.m. when the chief colonel of studies gave the order to sign to receive the Kings.
Doña Leonor, the fifth in the front row of her battalion, located to the left of the royal stands, has waited for the authority, her parents, in perfect position. The national anthem was played while 21 cannon shots were fired.
Don Felipe has reviewed accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Army and the head of the Military Quarter of His Majesty’s House. The most solemn and transcendental moment for a soldier’s life has then arrived: the swearing-in.
“Gentlemen and ladies cadets! Do you swear or promise by your conscience and honor to faithfully fulfill your military obligations, to keep and ensure that the Constitution is kept as a fundamental norm of the State, to obey and respect the King and your leaders, to never abandon them and, if necessary, outside, give your life in defense of Spain?”
The 410 gentlemen and ladies cadets shouted in unison: “Yes, we do it!” A parade of cadets has begun and they have kissed the flag. Doña Leonor has opened the oath, she has stood in front of the banner with her period uniform and the Mauser rifle. She has removed the ros from her and has kissed the national flag, just a few seconds that will go down in the history of her life and that of Spain, since Doña Leonor has already committed her destiny to that of the country.
The public broke the solemn silence of the moment with applause, and Queen Letizia followed with great emotion the kiss that her daughter dedicated to the flag that Queen María Cristina had embroidered six generations ago. Leonor, showing great maturity, has surrounded the Parade Ground to return with her battalion.
After the King’s speech, the ceremony ended with all the cadets, including Leonor, singing the anthem of the General Academy.
After the swearing-in, Princess Leonor assured that her flag swearing-in will be a day that she will “always remember for its deep and special meaning” and that will “accompany her for the rest of her life,” according to the King’s House.
The heir to the throne has been “very grateful” to her teachers, managers and colleagues. “They are an example and guide, they are values ??that I receive with humility and that I will honor with my best spirit. With my affection,” her handwritten text concludes.
