Princess Leonor has started university in Madrid after completing three years of military training with Spain’s Army, Navy and Air and Space Force.

The 20-year-old Princess of Asturias arrived at Carlos III University’s Getafe campus on September 7, greeted by rector Ángel Arias and other university officials. Before entering the faculty, Leonor said she was starting her university studies “with great enthusiasm.”

Leonor will spend the next four years studying Political Science at the public university. Her degree covers areas including political science, law, economics, sociology, history, humanities and international relations, giving her an academic background closely connected to public affairs and the responsibilities she will eventually assume as Spain’s head of state.

Photo: Getty Images

Her university arrival follows an unusually intensive three-year military education. She began at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza before continuing her training at the Naval Military Academy in Marín and later the General Air and Space Academy in San Javier. Her time in the Navy included months aboard the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano, while her final year included flight and parachute training.

That period of military training was part of her preparation for her future role as commander-in-chief of Spain’s armed forces. She is expected to receive her commissions as a lieutenant in the Army and Air and Space Force and as an ensign in the Navy next July.

At university, however, Leonor is expected to follow the same academic routine as other students. Around 40 students will share her classroom during the first year, and the university has stressed that her presence has not resulted in special selection of students or professors. Her classes are scheduled from 9am to 2pm, with seminars held on Thursdays.

Photo: Getty Images

There is still considerable attention around her arrival. More than 4,000 new students began their studies at Carlos III University that day, while journalists gathered outside the Getafe campus to document the heir to the Spanish throne beginning her studies. Officials have said the aim is to maintain a sense of normality for Leonor and her classmates.

Leonor will also continue carrying out her institutional responsibilities alongside her studies. Her move from military academies to a public university marks another stage in the preparation of Spain’s future queen, this time through a degree focused on the political, legal and social subjects that will form part of her public life.

King Charles III has confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s status within the Royal Family remains unchanged, despite the couple’s return to the UK.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain non-working members of the Royal Family and will continue to pursue their charitable and professional interests independently. Their return to Britain does not signal a return to official royal duties.

Photo – Instagram /@Buckingham palace

The clarification came in a letter from Lord Benyon, the Lord Chamberlain, which was circulated to senior government and military officials and Lord Lieutenants across the UK. The communication was intended to avoid doubt or confusion about the Sussexes’ position.

Harry and Meghan stepped back from official royal duties in January 2020 and later moved to the United States. They retained their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex but stopped carrying out official duties on behalf of the monarch.

Their HRH styles remain in abeyance and are not used. Harry remains the Duke of Sussex, while Meghan remains the Duchess of Sussex.

Photo – Instagram /@Buckingham palace

The clarification comes as the Sussexes settle back into life in Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Their return had prompted questions about whether Harry might resume a more visible role alongside working members of the Royal Family.

The King’s position, however, is clear. Living in Britain does not alter the arrangement established after Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals.

The couple’s charitable work remains separate from official royal duties, while their commercial activities continue independently of the Royal Household. Harry has maintained his work with the Invictus Games and other causes, while Meghan continues with her business and media projects.

Photo – Instagram/@Buckingham palace

For Harry, returning to Britain also brings him closer to his father and the wider Royal Family after years of tension. His relationship with King Charles has received renewed attention following their private meetings.

That family relationship should not be confused with a return to royal service. Harry remains a member of the Royal Family by birth and remains in the line of succession, but he does not carry out official duties on behalf of the King.

The same distinction applies to Meghan. She retains her title as the Duchess of Sussex but is not a working member of the Royal Family.

Photo – Getty

Security arrangements are also separate from the King’s decision on the couple’s royal status. Harry has spent years challenging decisions concerning his security in the UK, but responsibility for operational protection rests with the relevant authorities.

The latest clarification therefore leaves the Sussexes in a position that is familiar, even if their circumstances have changed. They can live in Britain, raise their children there and continue their private work without returning to the official royal schedule.

For now, their return is a change of residence, not a return to royal duties.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not attend a reported Diana Award event in London on September 18, despite earlier reports suggesting Harry was expected to appear and Meghan could join him.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex denied that the couple were scheduled to attend a gathering at Raffles London at The OWO.

“Despite the Daily Mail’s reporting to the contrary, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not scheduled to attend a Diana Award event at Raffles Hotel, OWO London, on September 18,” the spokesperson said.

The statement also took aim at the original report, adding: “Facts matter. Accuracy matters. Apparently, neither made the guest list for this particular story.”

Photo – Instagram/@DukeandDuchessofSussex

The clarification follows reports that had linked Harry to the September dinner. The possibility of his attendance attracted attention because the Diana Award is closely associated with his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and remains an organisation with links to both Harry and his brother, Prince William.

The Diana Award was established in memory of Diana and recognises young people for their sustained social action. Its recipients are aged between 16 and 24 and are recognised for work addressing issues affecting their communities.

Harry has continued to support the organisation in recent years. In September 2025, he took part in a Diana Award youth discussion in London, where young people spoke about social action, mental health and resilience.

William has also maintained his involvement with the charity. Earlier this year, the Prince of Wales met Diana Award recipients and young people involved in social action during SXSW London.

However, the reported September gathering should not be confused with the organisation’s main 2026 Diana Award ceremony. The charity has announced that this year’s recipients will be recognised through a virtual ceremony premiering on November 4.

Photo – Instagram/@DukeandDuchessofSussex

The Diana Award has not publicly confirmed the reported September 18 event as an official awards ceremony. This makes the Sussexes’ spokesperson’s clarification particularly relevant, given the earlier suggestion that Harry’s attendance had been arranged.

Harry’s absence from the reported event does not indicate that he has ended his relationship with the charity. His previous involvement demonstrates that he continues to support its work, even though he and William have generally carried out their engagements separately.

The development comes as Harry and Meghan continue to attract attention whenever they return to the UK. Harry is also expected to attend the WellChild Awards this month, although Meghan’s attendance has not been confirmed.

For now, however, there will be no joint Sussex appearance at the reported Diana Award gathering. According to their spokesperson, neither Harry nor Meghan is scheduled to attend the September 18 event.