Spanish royals bid farewell to eldest daughter as she leaves for college

The Spanish royal family has bid a tearful farewell to Princess Leonor as she left to attend college in the UK.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were joined by daughter Princess Sophia, 14, to say goodbye to the 15-year-old at Adolfo Suarez Barajas Airport in Madrid on August 30 ahead of her flight to the UK to attend UWC Atlantic College in Llantwit Major, Wales, to study for her International Baccalaureate for the next two years, the equivalent of Years 11 and 12 in Australia.

Princess Leonor was dressed casually in a stripped t-shirt and navy trousers for the flight which takes two to six hours depending on stop overs.

The Royal Household released several photos including one in which Queen Letizia is tightly hugging her daughter.

She then turns to her father who and the pair hold each other before the royal walks away to board her flight.

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The princess carried her own luggage which included a tan satchel, a large backpack and a carry-on suitcase.

Other European royals joining her at the prestigious college include Princess Alexia of The Netherlands, the daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.

UWC College is located in St Donat's Castle on the southern Welsh coast and includes a library, classrooms, campus facilities, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and expansive grounds.

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Princess Leonor recently joined her family as they toured Spain visiting areas suffering due to lockdowns since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

The royal is next in line to rule Spain after her father King Felipe.

The princess has spent her life in the royal spotlight, regularly attending events with her parents and sister.

Following the completion of her education Princess Leonor is expected to resume royal duties with her family in Spain.