Princess Leonor of Spain is currently aboard the training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano, fulfilling her duties alongside fellow midshipmen. As she engages in this pivotal stage of her military training, the young royal is also making headlines for a new collectible coin being minted in her honor, valued at 40 euros. This coin, however, comes amid a recent controversy involving leaked photographs from a shopping center in Chile, a situation that has drawn significant attention to her privacy.
On April 4, 2025, Princess Leonor is scheduled to disembark in Valparaíso, marking her first stop in a series of international visits that will take her to Lima and El Callao in Peru from April 18 to April 22, followed by Cartagena de Indias in Colombia, Panama City in Panama, Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, and finally New York City in the United States. Interestingly, when she arrives in New York, she may be greeted by the new coin featuring her image.
This isn't the first time Princess Leonor's likeness has been commemorated in coinage. In 2023, a similar collectible was issued to celebrate her coming of age. The new 40-euro coin, which is set to be released in the second quarter of 2025, has generated considerable excitement, particularly because it symbolizes a significant moment in her military career.
The Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre, Spain's national mint, is responsible for producing this special coin. According to the official order published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE), the obverse of the coin will feature a portrait of Princess Leonor dressed in her midshipman uniform, looking to the left. This portrait has been notably influenced by her mother, Queen Letizia, who was actively involved in the selection process.
Journalist Alejandro Entrambasaguas revealed that Queen Letizia attended multiple meetings with officials from the mint to review sketches and ensure the coin accurately reflects her daughter's current military journey on the Elcano. "The person who has chosen exactly how this portrait of the princess will look is her mother, Queen Letizia," Entrambasaguas stated. The queen expressed a desire for the coin to represent a moment that symbolizes the leadership path that Princess Leonor is currently embarking upon.
The collectible coin, made of 925 silver combined with copper, will weigh 18 grams and have a diameter of 33 millimeters with a smooth edge. It is designed not for everyday transactions but as a commemorative piece. As such, it is anticipated that the coins will be available to the public by late May 2025, although a precise date has yet to be confirmed.
Despite the excitement surrounding the coin, not all news concerning the royal family has been positive. Recently, the Royal House took action against a shopping center in Chile after it released images of Princess Leonor during a private visit. The Regional Prosecutor's Office of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica confirmed that an investigation was opened on March 21, 2025, regarding the unauthorized capture and dissemination of private images.
The shopping center responded by stating that the visit was entirely private and that the princess's presence was not announced or publicized by them. They maintained that Princess Leonor's visit was carried out without any disturbances and was conducted in a secure manner.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by public figures regarding privacy, especially for younger royals like Princess Leonor, who are navigating their roles in the public eye. The Royal House's swift action in this matter underscores their commitment to protecting the privacy of the future heir to the Spanish throne.
As Princess Leonor continues her training on the Juan Sebastián Elcano, the anticipation for her upcoming coin and the discussions surrounding her public image will likely continue to evolve. With her royal duties and training at the forefront, she is poised to make a significant impact both in her military career and as a public figure.
The new coin, which will feature not only her portrait but also elements symbolizing her royal heritage, including the coat of arms of the Princess, the Cross of Victory, and a royal crown, is a testament to her growing role as a leader. The inscription on the coin will commemorate her 18th anniversary as the Princess of Asturias, further solidifying her position in the public consciousness.
In summary, as Princess Leonor embarks on her training journey aboard the Elcano and becomes a subject of both admiration and scrutiny, the release of the new collectible coin serves as a milestone in her royal narrative. It encapsulates the blend of tradition and modernity that defines her role within the Spanish monarchy.
