Leonor of Spain is growing up to be a beautiful princess!

From girl to young lady. For Leonor de Borbón, she has gone from an infant to a princess, taking on more and more responsibility within the Royal Family.

Yet, she is still a teenager, who many imagine will also be concerned about the typical things that kids of that age have to deal with. How has the Spanish Princess Leonor's life changed in the 16 years?

The princess was born on 31 October 2005 in Madrid. "This is the most beautiful thing that can happen to anyone in life," her father, who was the then Prince of Asturias - now King Felipe VI, told the media. As is tradition in the Spanish Royal Family, the baby was christened - or rather 'presented to the Virgin of Atocha' on 7 June 2006.

In May 2007 her sister, the Infanta Sofia, was born, and Leonor went to see her.

In September 2008, shortly before her third birthday, she started kindergarten. She spent her summers as a young child with the Infanta Elena (King Felipe's older sister) and her cousins. Completely surrounded by those who love her.

According to those who close to the Spanish Royal Family, Leonor has always been a very quiet child, quite noble and with a gentle disposition.

Specialists who write about the Spanish Royal Household affairs say that she looks very much like her father. They also comment on the fact that she has been very conscious of her status as a princess since she was a child.

The fact is that, because of the huge weight she carries as a Princess of Spain, she has had very different experiences to those of other children her age since she was very young. For example when she met Pope Benedict XVI during a visit the Pontiff made to Madrid in August 2011.

Both Leonor and her sister Sofia have spent part of the summer in Mallorca since they were children. Just as their father did as a child with his sisters Elena and Cristina.

One of the most important moments for Leonor came in June 2014, when she became Princess of Asturias and the first in line to the Spanish throne.

It was the time when her grandfather, King Juan Carlos I, abdicated and her father became King Felipe VI.

On the day of the Coronation on 18th June 2014, Leonor showed, despite her young age (she was only 8 years old), a completely regal demeanour. She was turning into a princess.

Many have said that much of the thanks for her regal manner must be given to her mother, Queen Letizia, who is unwaveringly attentive to the education of her two daughters.

The most idyllic (and relaxed) images of Leonor and the rest of the Royal Family have always been taken during their summers in Mallorca. There she is often seen letting her hair down and shaking off much of the 'princess pressure'.

The person who is always by her sister's side: Sofia. Leonor is said to be very close to her younger sibling. Having this relationship is a great support for the young princess.

She also gets on wonderfully with King Felipe. They laugh a lot together.

Over the years, different media have reported that Leonor (L) is perhaps a little more shy than her sister, Sofía (R). She is also very reflective, like her father, and known as quite responsible.

Both Leonor and Sofia have their mother as a constant style icon. The Queen of Spain is always flawless in her appearance, as are her girls.

To mark the occasion of her 12th birthday, she had her first official photo taken. The princess was all smiles, dressed in a red Carolina Herrera dress with the Royal Palace of Madrid in the background.

On 30 January 2018, coinciding with King Felipe VI's 50th birthday, Leonor witnessed a very significant day. Her father presented her with the Golden Fleece, the highest distinction of the Spanish Royal Family. More or less like like being knighted.

Leonor has been growing up and, little by little, we have seen a transformation in the young lady. Not only in her manner and behaviour, but also in the way she dresses and styles her hair.

On a visit she made in September 2018 with her parents to Covadonga (Asturias), she wore a Tweed dress with French sleeves - very similar to some of those worn by her mother, Queen Letizia.

On 31 October 2018, on the occasion of her 13th birthday, Leonor gave her first speech. It was at an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution. She did a good job.

Leonor has gone from being a child to a teenager in the blink of an eye. As time goes on, the princess has had to take on more and more responsibilities, and further realise her role.

Recently, Leonor has portrayed herself to be much more established in her role. The teenager has shown to the world a more mature image than before, with a lot more confidence than the shy girl she once was.

She first attended at the awards which are given her name, the Princess of Asturias Awards, in October 2019. There, she felt secure in her role enough to make a short speech.

Leonor, at the young age she is, now moves around practically on her own, although her parents are always there to support her and guide her steps.

At the 2019 Princess of Girona awards ceremony, she displayed a great deal of ease and fluency, both in the presentation of the awards and in the reading of her speech. The speech which she delivered perfectly in several languages (including Catalan).

Not surprisingly, Leonor is fluent in Spanish and English. She is also fluent in Catalan and French, amongst other languages. And she can hold her own in Arabic and Chinese.

The year 2020 was the last year she spent in uniform, by the way. She waved goodbye to her school before heading to boarding school in Wales.

At the 2020 Princess of Asturias Awards, we could see how far the princess has come in terms of style, as she dared to wear shoes with a low heel. Many were surprised to see this change, as she had always worn the characteristic ballerinas at this type of event.

This official photo was taken by photographer Estela de Castro in 2020. There was a set of official images of her, her parents and her sister. Leonor looks beautiful and her change from a child to a teenager is clear.

Leonor is a 21st century princess who is environmentally conscious. In July 2021, she attended an event with a group of young people in a town close to Madrid where trees were being replanted. She dressed for the occasion in jeans and a basic white T-shirt.

Shortly afterwards, she attended the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Galicia), wearing a fuchsia dress with a modern and rather grown-up cut by the Spanish fashion brand Cayro Woman.

At her new school, the Atlantic College in Wales, Leonor has the opportunity to continue her education alongside young people from all over the world. They are also from different social backgrounds, as many students receive scholarships.

Of course, Leonor isn't one of those receiving said scholarships and her parents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, are said to be paying around 76,500 euros ($83,000) for the two years of her A-Level studies.

Of course, the family meet during holidays or other special occasions.

For example during the 2021 Princess of Asturias Awards in Oviedo, when Leonor wore a sixties-inspired design in black and gold by Spanish brand Bgo & Me. She combined it with simple (but increasingly higher) black heels.

When the young princess graduates from the boarding school in Wales, she will go on to military training, several Spanish media have suggested.

It's something her father has in mind for the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne, in order to prepare her for an important future.