Stepping out in a pair of blue jeans and a white blouse, Princess Leonor of Spain could easily have been mistaken for any other university student last week.The 20-year-old heir to the Spanish throne cut a casual figure as she posed for photographs on her first day at the capital's Carlos III University of Madrid, where she will embark on a four-year degree in political science. Despite her key position in the Spanish Royal Family, the daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia is set to be deliberately 'treated like a normal' student during her university tenure.'The royal household has made it very easy for us. Nothing changes,' said Angel Arias, the rector, as he greeted Leonor on her first day of studies.Unlike her father, whose university degree was specially tailored around his then-position as heir, Leonor is undergoing a conventional degree and will take courses in humanities, economics, sociology, history and international relations.Down-to-earth Leonor, who has typically been kept out of the spotlight by her conscientious parents, received the title of Adoptive Daughter of San Javier following her intensive Air Force training in San Javier in July.Her sister, Infanta Sofia, meanwhile, has also balanced royal duties with a grounded family life – and is now set to begin her second year of university studies in Paris, which are being personally financed by her parents. To ensure that her time at Lisbon's Forward College remains unaffected by her royal status, the King's daughter is even said to have used her legal name, Sofia De Borbon Ortiz as an alias. Stepping out in a pair of blue jeans and a short-sleeved white blouse, Princess Leonor of Spain looked just like any other university student as she began her studies in Madrid The 20-year-old heir to the Spanish throne posed for photographs on her first day at the Carlos III University of Madrid, where she will embark on a four-year degree in political scienceAs Leonor starts a political science degree in Madrid, her younger sister, Infanta Sofia, is set to begin her second year of university studies in ParisSofia, 19, underwent the same application process as any other university applicant – with Boris Walbaum, founder and president of Forward College, later admitting that he did not initially connect Sofia's surname, Ortiz, to her mother. The King and Queen are also personally financing Sofia's Bachelor degree in political science and international relations, which costs approximately €18,500 per year.Opting out of using government money, it reflects Felipe and Letizia's modern approach to a monarchy that leads by overt financial transparency. Despite their key roles in the Spanish monarchy, both Leonor and Sofia have been deliberately kept out of the limelight – with a particular emphasis placed on their education by their parents. This is in contrast to other European princesses – such as Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, 22, or 18-year-old Princess Isabella of Denmark – who have been seen at several public events, such as festivals, on a more regular basis over the years.A royal expert previously told Hello! that Letizia was very 'protective of her daughters' and wanted to instil in them the values of a normal upbringing. 'The political situation meant that Felipe was much more exposed to the public,' they said. 'It was important to show the role of the Crown. Letizia is much more protective of her daughters.'Both Leonor and Sofia attended Colegio Santa Maria de los Rosales in Madrid for their primary and secondary education, before relocating to UWC Atlantic College in Wales for a two-year programme at the age of 16 to complete an International Baccalaureate. Set in the Welsh county of Vale of Glamorgan, the school is often referred to as 'Hippie Hogwarts' thanks to its progressive approach to education and picturesque castle setting.Former royal butler Grant Harrold told the Daily Mail at the time that European royals could be attracted to the school because of its down-to-earth and modern approach to teaching.He explained: 'Perhaps the royals that frequent the UWC Atlantic College feel it is out of the spotlight so they can lead as normal an education as possible.'Or, perhaps it is because of the modern thinking that the college portrays, rather that the old traditions which these royals may be shying away from.' Despite their key roles in the Spanish monarchy, both Leonor and Sofia have been deliberately kept out of the limelight by their conscientious parents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia Leonor and Sofia (pictured beside the FIFA World Cup trophy after Spain's victory earlier this year) also attended UWC Atlantic College in Wales to complete an International BaccalaureateIn 2025, Infanta Sofia graduated from the 'hippie Hogwarths' and was joined by her royal mother and father, while Leonor sent a sweet video message from her naval training. During the ceremony to mark the completion of her International Baccalaureate studies, the graduate was showered with praise by her tutor who highlighted her personal and educational achievements, The Times reports.He said: 'Sofía's journey has been marked by her perseverance and remarkable personal growth. She has gone from being an empathetic and affectionate listener by nature to being an accredited "supportive companion". A true friend in difficult times… we will miss Sofía's warmth and vibrant spirit very much.'Now, Leonor is following in the footsteps of her father, King Felipe, as well as her grandfather, Juan Carlos, who all attended military training with all three of the armed services in the country.As she is the heir to the throne, Leonor will one day take the title of Commander in Chief of the armed forces and therefore was required to spend time in each section of defence.The Navy Merit Grand Cross is a high-level military decoration awarded for distinguished service within the Navy and acknowledged her commitment and connection to Spain’s armed forces.The royal started her aeronautical training after arriving in San Javier last September.A message written in the Academy's Book of Honour by Leonor said: 'Today I begin the third stage of my military training at this General Air and Space Academy. I look forward with enthusiasm to this course, during which I will have the opportunity to begin my aeronautical training and, alongside my classmates, learn the practical and theoretical aspects of military aviation.'Leonor and Sofia's unpretentious nature is believed to be as a direct result of their mother, Queen Letizia's, humble beginnings that saw her make history in the Spanish monarchy.Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano was well known in her own right before joining the Spanish Royal Family but not as an aristocrat, let alone as a fellow royal.Rather, she was a household name as an award-winning journalist-turned television presenter. Leonor is following in the footsteps of her father, King Felipe, as well as her grandfather, Juan Carlos, who both attended military training As she is the heir to the throne, Leonor will one day take the title of Commander in Chief of the armed forces and therefore was required to spend time in each section of defenceLetizia began her education in Oviedo, at La Gesta public school, and later at the Alfonso II Institute. At the age of 14, she moved with her parents and two sisters to Madrid, where she finished at the Ramiro de Maeztu Institute.The future royal completed a bachelor's degree in journalism at the Complutense University of Madrid, followed by a master's degree in audiovisual journalism at the Institute for Studies in Audiovisual Journalism.After a stint at Asturian daily paper, La Nueva España, she went on to work for ABC, a national newspaper with the third largest circulation in Spain.Next came a stint at the Spanish news agency EFE before a move to Guadalajara in Mexico saw her take on a role on the local paper, Siglo 21.Back in Spain a year later, she went on to work towards a PhD.This, however, she did not complete, choosing instead to get a job at Bloomberg before moving to CNN+ and then news channel 24 Horas.She won the Madrid Press Association's prestigious Larra Award, for the best Spanish journalist under the age of 30.By the time she met her husband-to-be, Felipe, in 2002, Letizia was working for popular TV channel 24 Horas, where along with anchoring the popular Telediario 2 evening news bulletin she reported on a wide range of breaking news events.Felipe and Letizia wed on May 22, 2004 at the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid.After ten years of marriage, the royal couple became King and Queen of Spain when Felipe’s father, King Juan Carlos, abdicated in 2014.Letizia became the first Spanish-born queen consort since 1878 and the first Spanish queen to have been born a commoner.