Queen Elizabeth II of England is no longer with us. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has abdicated in favor of her eldest son. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has started the process for his succession. Prince William’s hair has turned gray—or what’s left of it—while he stoically awaits his turn to wear the crown. The 12 remaining kingdoms and principalities of the old continent are undoubtedly in a period of transition, and possibly change. The royal successors, particularly those of Generation Z, will have to prove if they can sustain the monarchy as a decorative institution or if it will disintegrate.
Leonor of Spain: The Shy Successor
Perhaps the most photogenic and famous of Europe’s future queens is the Princess of Asturias, Leonor of Spain. Despite the public attention she garners each time she steps out of Zaragoza Military School, where she receives her customary military training, she appears uninterested in fame. For instance, during the recent European Football Championship final in Berlin, she was reluctant to lift the trophy won by the Spanish national team, showing apparent shyness despite her father, King Felipe VI’s encouragement.
Leonor’s discomfort with public attention is understandable. The 18-year-old future queen, the first since Isabella II (1833-1868), was raised almost in exile from the media’s glare and public curiosity. This was a conscious decision by King Felipe and Queen Letizia, which caused friction with Leonor’s grandmother, Queen Sofia. Many remember the clash between Letizia and Sofia at the 2018 Easter service in Palma de Mallorca, debating whether the then-minor princesses Leonor and Sofia should pose for the media.
In 2021, Leonor left her family home at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid to attend the two-year International Baccalaureate program at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, a school known for hosting royals and aristocrats. She completed her studies in 2023, polished her English, and returned to Spain to fulfill her three-year military service.
Leonor’s adulthood was celebrated with grandeur on October 31, 2023, shifting public interest from the numerous scandals of the Bourbons and rumors of Felipe and Letizia’s divorce to something more positive. Recently, on July 12, Leonor made her first official solo international visit to Portugal, participating in a conference on environmental protection and ocean conservation. When she eventually ascends the throne, she is expected to continue her father’s moderate public stance, distancing herself from the familial sins, particularly those of her grandfather Juan Carlos, and upholding a doctrine of unifying neutrality for her people. There is also a remote possibility that she might never ascend the throne if King Felipe had a son, who would take precedence according to Spain’s constitution.
Elisabeth of Belgium: The First Monarch
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, from birth, has been destined for the throne due to a constitutional amendment ensuring the firstborn’s succession regardless of gender. The 22-year-old future queen has no threat from her 21-year-old brother, Prince Gabriel, or her younger siblings, Prince Emmanuel and Princess Eleonore.
Elisabeth’s education mirrors that of Leonor, having also attended UWC Atlantic College. Known for her stylish choices, earning her the nickname “Kate Middleton of the Low Countries,” she is a well-rounded young woman. She completed her studies in history and politics at Oxford University and will soon attend the Kennedy School at Harvard for public administration.
Elisabeth made her public debut at age 9 and has been involved in royal duties since, including accompanying her parents on official trips. She is proficient in sports, having rowed for Oxford, and actively engages in social causes, volunteering during the pandemic.
Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands: The Dutiful Daughter
Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands faces significant challenges, partly due to her parents, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, who have often made controversial decisions. Despite this, the 20-year-old future queen has cultivated a modest public image, handling public scrutiny with grace.
In 2022, Catharina-Amalia declined a 296,000-euro annual allowance for personal expenses and a 1.3 million-euro budget for her office, citing her status as a student. However, recently, she announced she would start receiving the allowance.
The Dutch public appreciates her humanitarian efforts, including her volunteer work during the pandemic, and sympathizes with her as she has faced threats from kidnappers and terrorists. Last April, the Dutch palace confirmed that she had to be moved to Spain for protection due to repeated threats.
