Sofía breaks with tradition: she won't follow Princess Leonor's military path

Infanta Sofía, who will celebrate her coming of age next April 29, is in the final stretch of her studies at UWC Atlantic College in Wales. She is expected to obtain her International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) on May 24, a demanding academic program she has pursued over the past two years.

With the acquisition of this diploma, a new stage in her academic and personal life opens up. Questions quickly arose: will she follow in the footsteps of her sister, Princess Leonor, and receive military training? Or will she begin her university journey directly?

There will be no military training for Sofía

The Royal House settled part of the debate with a clear statement: "as of today, the possibility of military training for her is not considered." Although at first Sofía seemed to join the Army and take a helicopter pilot course, she ultimately chose not to follow that path.

La familia real Española, Felipe VI, la menor Sofía, la princesa Leonor y doña Letizia.

Unlike her sister, the infanta is not required to receive military instruction. Princess Leonor, on the other hand, continues her military training aboard the training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano, where she will spend half a year at sea this July.

Subsequently, the heir to the throne will enter the Air Force Academy in San Javier, Murcia. There she will learn to pilot fighter jets as part of her preparation to one day become the supreme commander of the Armed Forces.

Uncertainty about Sofía's university future

Despite the clarity about her not joining military life, the Royal House has not confirmed what Sofía's next academic step will be. Several options are being considered, including International Relations or degrees related to technology, mathematics, and engineering.

For now, everything indicates that the infanta and her entourage continue to evaluate possibilities. It is expected that in the coming months it will be officially revealed which career and university she will choose to begin her higher education.

With this decision, Sofía will take her own path, marking a distance from her older sister's path, but equally aligned with her role within the monarchical institution.