Princess Leonor looks regal in new photos released ahead of her 18th birthday – as Spain falls into the grip of ‘Leonormania’

Ahead of her 18th birthday tomorrow, the city of Madrid has released a new photo of Princess Leonor.

In the new snap, the royal teen puts on a casual yet chic appearance in a relaxed blue V-neck T-shirt in the new portrait.

The royal looked away from the camera for the photo and wore minimal makeup, revealing her natural beauty.

Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida shared the photo and invited the public to join the festivities to celebrate the coming of age of the future queen.

On the busy day of festivities, the lady-in-waiting will take an oath before the Cortes Generales to retain the Magna Carter as successor to the head of state.

Tomorrow, Spain’s capital will be bustling with revelers, the city where King Felipe and Queen Letizia’s daughter Leonor was born and spent most of her life.

The Magna Carta ceremony marks 37 years since Leonor’s father, King Felipe, took the oath on January 30, 1986 at the same Palacio de las Cortes de la Carrera de San Jerónimo.

In addition to Leonor taking an oath to the Spanish Constitution, the mayor has invited residents to participate in the festivities.

Volunteers will distribute more than 7,500 Spanish flags throughout the city for residents to wave in appreciation for Leonor.

Later in the day, a municipal police honor guard, chaired by the Vice Mayor of Madrid, including the cavalry squadron and the municipal police band, will be deployed to the Plaza de la Villa.

José Luis Martínez-Almeida said: ‘As Mayor of the capital of Spain, I invite you to take an active part so that Madrid is restored to its former glory and this historic ceremony is an eloquent icon of the loyalty and affection that we residents of Madrid feel . to the Royal Family in general and to Mrs. Leonor in particular on this special day of her life.

‘May our streets and balconies be decorated with the colors of the national flag, “a symbol that unites all Spaniards”, as the King recalled in the recent flag oath of the Princess of Asturias in Zaragoza.”

It comes after Princess Leonor told the Spanish public she understands her duty in a powerful speech this weekend.

The heir apparent addressed an audience last week at the Princesa de Asturias Awards in Oviedo, Spain, where she assured them that she takes her responsibility very seriously.

As her parents, 16-year-old sister Infanta Sofia and other family members looked on, she told the crowd it would be an “honor” to swear in the Spanish constitution on her 18th birthday.

The lady-in-waiting added: “I fully understand and am aware of what my duty is and what my responsibilities entail.”

Elsewhere in her speech, the Spanish princess praised the winners of the Princesa de Asturias Award, Hello! reports.

In particular, she noted the career achievements of three-time Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, who was honored at the ceremony.

Leonor said she strives to identify with the award winners, despite many of them being decades older than her, because of the incredible things they have achieved.

The Princesa de Asturias Awards take place every year in the Spanish principality of Asturias. The ceremony recognizes people for their outstanding work in science, public affairs, media and humanities.

This year’s most notable recipient was Hollywood royalty Streep, who was honored for her contributions to film throughout her sensational career.

Although Princess Leonor has addressed the awards presented in her name three times before, her latest speech marks a shift towards greater responsibility for the future Spanish monarch.

The royal and her sister Infanta Sophia, 16, have taken on a bigger role in the spotlight as they get older, with Leonor often taking center stage during family outings.

Unlike Prince Christian of Denmark – who is just two weeks older than Leonor and also a future European monarch – the princess’s 18th birthday celebrations will be decidedly low-key.

However, there will be some fuss: the Royal Mint of Spain will release a limited edition 40 euro coin to mark its anniversary. Up to one million of the coins will be put into circulation by the Bank of Spain in the last three months of this year.

The coin weighs 18 grams and is made of a mixture of silver and copper with the image ‘Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias’ engraved on it.

The 17-year-old is currently undergoing military training at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza.

The school has been dubbed the Spanish equivalent of Sandhurst and follows a strict timetable, but the princess can return home at weekends when she is not manoeuvring.

Before starting the academy, she had her first engagement without her parents when she left for Gironda with sister Sofia.