On July 12, 2024, Princess Leonor, Queen of Spain, made her first official trip abroad without her parents. In this first solo engagement, the Princess of Asturias responded positively to the invitation of the President of the neighboring country, Portugal. The Portuguese President decided to honor his guest who honored him with this historic visit. The future Queen of Spain was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Christ.
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Princess of Asturias receives award from President Rebelo de Sousa
Princess Leonor of Spain wasted no time in making her first official trip abroad. Last October, the heir to the Spanish throne celebrated her 18th birthday, a milestone that comes with certain privileges when you become the future monarch. Since her birthday, Princess Leonor has largely completed the first year of her three-year military training. Now on a month-long leave of absence until the next academic year at the Naval Academy, the Princess of Asturias has chosen to fill her schedule with official engagements.
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In recent days, Princess Leonor has participated in several engagements linked to the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards. On Friday, July 12, she responded to the invitation of the Portuguese President who wanted to welcome her to his country on her first official solo trip. Princess Leonor arrived late in the morning at Vigo Maduro Military Airport, where she was welcomed upon disembarking from the plane by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
After the military welcome on the runway, Princess Leonor went to the Jerónimos Monastery to pay homage to Luís Camões. After a short visit to the monastery, the President was waiting for Princess Leonor at the Belém Palace.
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Princess Leonor was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Christ.
The Portuguese President received the eldest daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia for the second time, this time in front of the Belém Palace in Lisbon. Once the protocol was over, the President and the Princess entered the Palace. After a brief meeting, Princess Leonor signed the Book of Honor, and then the President began the investiture ceremony. President Rebelo de Sousa presented Princess Leonor with the Grand Cross of the Order of Christ. This is the first foreign decoration that Leonor has received.
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The Order of Christ is one of the oldest honorary orders in the world. It was created by papal bull of John XXII in 1319. The order was created after the monarchy of the Templar Order was delegated, following the condemnation of the Knights Templar in 1312. Little by little, the religious order became secular. From a knighthood, it became an honorary order during the last centuries of Portuguese monarchy. Upon the founding of the Republic in 1910, the order was abolished, then re-established in 1917. The Portuguese President is now the Grand Master of the Order.
The Order of Christ has the Latin motto In Hook Signo Vince (By this verse you shall prevail). The red ribbon of the order is worn as a sash from right to left with the badge suspended at the bow. The badge is a Latin cross of red enamel surrounded by gold, with another Latin cross of white enamel inside. The plaque worn by members holding the rank of Grand Cross and Grand Officer uses the same cross motif surrounded by laurel leaves. The rank of Grand Cross is the second highest rank, immediately after that of Grand Colonel.
