Spain’s Crown Princess Leonor turns 18 and is feted as the future queen at a swearing-in ceremony

By CIARÁN GILES
Associated Press

MADRID (AP) — The heir to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor, has sworn allegiance to the Constitution on her 18th birthday. Tuesday’s gala event paves the way to her becoming queen when the time comes. Leonor is the eldest daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia. The nationally televised ceremony in the lower house of Parliament is understood to symbolize the continuity of Spain’s parliamentary monarchy. Leonor de Borbón Ortiz became crown princess when Felipe VI was proclaimed king on June 19, 2014. Her face has been constantly in the media in recent weeks and already the term “Leonormania” is being used, underlining her growing popularity as a modern face of the monarchy.