Princess Leonor of Spain received a new title this week after she was named Honorary Mayoress of Oviedo.
The heir to the Spanish throne, who is also known as Princess of Asturias, was all smiles as she was given the latest honour by Mayor Alfredo Canteli at Oviedo City Hall on Thursday.
Oviedo, the capital city of the Principality of Asturias, is a city in northwestern Spain that is favoured by many tourists around the world for its street art and gastronomy.
Leonor’s new title was handed to her due to “the special connection of the Royal House with Asturias and Oviedo, as well as Leonor’s position as honorary president of the Princess of Asturias Foundation.”
The daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia looked classy in a grey suit which she paired with a black top underneath and black heels.
During the ceremony, Leonor was given the mayoral baton and insignia while she also signed the golden book before posing for photographs with Mayor Alfredo Canteli.
Later that day, she was also given the Medal of Asturias at the University of Oviedo, which was given to her “by her own right” as an heir to the Spanish throne.
Her father, King Felipe, held the title of Honorary Mayor of Oviedo when he was Prince of Asturias.
Upon receiving the honour, Leonor said during a speech: “I accept it with respect and with the certainty that, as my father felt almost 40 years ago, they mean something very important: the commitment that I have made, which guides me and will always guide me, to be worthy of these recognitions.”
She added: “I must confess that I came to Asturias with my mother and father many times during my childhood.
“My Asturian family is very Asturian, you know what I mean, and from a very young age I was able to get to know the forests of the east and take long walks among those oak and chestnut trees that are already part of my childhood.
“Our great-grandmother told Sofia and me what Asturias was like where she lived and raised her family. We really enjoyed her stories on the radio from that time.
“I visited beautiful beaches, I saw incredible mountains, valleys and towns, I became fond of sea urchins, which my sister looked at with surprise… We have both been very happy here.”
