Two European princesses are about to jet off to the UK to continue their studies at a prestigious international school in Wales.
Princess Leonor of Spain, 15, and Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, 16, are both set to attend the historic UWC Atlantic College in Wales.
Leaving their respective kingdoms behind to undergo the International Baccalaureate program at UWC, the young royals are likely to cross paths during their studies.
They may even become friends when the school year begins in September, given they come from very similar backgrounds and royal upbringings.
Princess Leonor of Spain (left) and Princess Alexia of the Netherlands (right) will both be attending UWC.
(Getty/Royal Family of the Netherlands)
Princess Leonor is heir presumptive to her father, King Felipe VI’s throne and has spent much of her childhood learning the ropes of royalty.
One day she will take over from her father as Spain’s monarch, and the young royal has already been seen accompanying and supporting her father at several royal engagements.
Meanwhile, Princess Alexia is the second daughter of King Willem-Alexander and second in line to the throne behind her sister, Princess Catharina-Amalia.
Though Alexia will not likely be Queen of the Netherlands, she will play an important role supporting her elder sister when Amalia becomes Queen one day.
As such, both young women have been encouraged to seek out the best education available to them – something UWC can definitely provide.
Founded in 1962, the school is located at St Donat’s Castle, a 12th-century castle set in the idyllic Vale of Glamorgan in Wales.
The vast grounds include a 12th-century church, terraced gardens, woodlands and heritage coastline, making it a stunning backdrop for the princess’ education.
The school is popular among the elite, like these royals, with around 350 students attending from more than 90 different countries.
Princess Alexia’s (top, second from right) father King Willem-Alexander (bottom) attended UWC in his youth.
(Getty)Other royals have also attended the college in the past, including Alexia’s father King Willem-Alexander, and 2020 graduate Princess Elisabeth of Belgium.
But not all the pupils are wealthy nobility; the majority of the students who attend UWC are chosen by ‘National Committees’ who help fund their education.
In fact, more than half of the students are believed to receive some sort of financial aid to fund their studies at UWC.
It’s no wonder, given the school’s two-year International Baccalaureate program costs over $126,000.
Princess Leonor (second from left) with her parents and sister in 2019.
(Getty)As for what the young royals will be studying, their regular school curriculum will be supplemented with a range of extra-curriculars and a focus on community service.
It’s understood the princesses will also both be living in one of the eight boarding houses at the school, though they are likely to return to their home nations for holidays.
They’re not the only young royals heading off to boarding school either; Prince Christian of Denmark just began his studies at a prestigious boarding school in Denmark.
