I was recently chatting with a friend about children’s education, and it got me thinking about Spain’s two royal princesses, Leonor and Sofía. Have you ever wondered what kind of schools they attend? I did a little research, and what I found was quite interesting, so I thought I’d share it for discussion.
As we know, the Spanish Royal Family has always placed great importance on the princesses’ education. From primary through high school, both sisters attended a very prestigious private school in Madrid, Santa María de los Rosales. This is no ordinary school; tuition is reportedly over €7,000 a year, and even King Felipe VI himself is an alumnus. It seems the King has a soft spot for his alma mater, a clear case of alumni legacy. The school emphasizes Catholic values but is also co-educational, suggesting the Royal Family is striking a balance between tradition and modernity.
What’s even more interesting are their choices after high school. The elder princess, Leonor, the future Queen, spent her final two years of secondary school at UWC Atlantic College in the UK, studying for the International Baccalaureate. Nicknamed the ‘Hogwarts for hippies,’ its atmosphere is completely different from traditional aristocratic schools. The college is located in a 12th-century castle, yet its educational philosophy is incredibly progressive, emphasizing a global perspective, community service, and personal challenge. It’s said that when she applied, Leonor went through the same anonymous, multi-stage selection process as any other student. Of course, we don’t know the exact details, but it sounds impressive!
A Comparison of the Royal Sisters’ Educational Paths
Her younger sister, Infanta Sofía, has now followed in her footsteps, also attending UWC Atlantic College. It seems the King and Queen are quite satisfied with the school’s educational outcomes. I’ve compiled a summary of the educational costs for both princesses, including a link to more information on UWC Atlantic College, to give you a clear idea:
| School Name | Stage of Education | Location | Annual Tuition |
|---|
| Santa María de los Rosales | Primary to High School | Madrid, Spain | €7,000 |
| UWC Atlantic College | International Baccalaureate | Wales, UK | €76,000 |
Seeing the tuition for UWC, I was truly stunned; it’s a significant expense for two years. However, this cost is covered by the King and Queen’s personal salaries, not the state budget. From a private primary school to an international ‘hippie’ IB college, and now to military academy, it feels like Princess Leonor’s educational path is comprehensively preparing her to be a future head of state. What are your thoughts on the Royal Family’s educational choices? Do you think this kind of ‘elite education’ is beneficial or detrimental to a child’s development? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!
