The annual Princess of Asturias Foundation Awards ceremony once again captured the attention of all Spain, and not just because of the celebration of outstanding figures in science and the arts. As usual, the royal family—particularly the young heirs to the throne—were at the center of public interest. This year, several laureates shared their personal impressions of their interactions with Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, offering a glimpse into how they view the future faces of the monarchy.
One of the most respected contemporary Spanish writers, Eduardo Mendoza—winner of the literature prize—spoke with great respect about the future queen. In a conversation with journalists, he said he saw no need to recommend any of his works to Princess Leonor. The author expressed his confidence that the heir to the throne is already well acquainted with his bibliography. According to him, Leonor is a highly educated and well-read young woman whose knowledge extends far beyond literature alone. Such warm praise for the princess is not new. Her maturity and curiosity have also been noted by other international stars who received the award in Asturias, such as actress Meryl Streep and writer Siri Hustvedt, both of whom were impressed by their conversations with the young royal.
The younger sister, Infanta Sofía, was not left unnoticed either. Global badminton star Carolina Marín, who received her award last year, shared some vibrant details about her. The athlete recalled how, at the gala dinner before the ceremony, she happened to sit next to the Infanta. Carolina described Sofía as a very sweet and pleasant conversationalist. But the most intriguing part was Carolina’s insight into the sisters’ digital lives. It turns out that both Leonor and Sofía are active users of popular social networks like TikTok and Instagram. Naturally, they do this anonymously, using private profiles that no one suspects exist—just like their mother, Queen Letizia.
The revelation came as a complete surprise to the champion. Sofía herself admitted that she keeps up with Carolina’s athletic achievements through her Instagram page, watching her training videos. According to the badminton player, this admission left her absolutely stunned. Such details paint a vibrant and modern portrait of the king’s daughters: on one hand, they receive an excellent education and take on official roles from an early age; on the other, they remain typical young women of their generation, interested in the same things as their peers around the world.
