Spain"s little princesses delight the nation with exemplary behaviour

With the eyes of the world trained on their country Princess Leonor and her sister Princess Sofia of Spain couldn”t have been better behaved.

Dressed in colour-coordinated outfits, the little girls were a credit to their parents King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia as he was proclaimed monarch in a day of pomp and ceremony.

Princess Leonor behaved with all the dignity of a future queen

Following the abdication of their grandfather King Juan Carlos their lives have changed. Leonor, eight, now becomes the Princess of Asturias, denoting her status as heiress to her father”s crown. She lived up to her royal heritage, solemnly shaking hands with dozens of dignitaries and waving prettily at the exuberant crowds.

Following her example closely was her little sister, who aged six, already understands her place in the order of succession. If ever she found herself ahead of the future queen, Sofia instinctively adjusted her pace so that she fell into step behind her.

Even their father”s 25-minute speech in the Congress of Deputies went off without so much as a fidget. The princesses sat on red damask chairs that were smaller versions of their parents, legs crossed, clapping politely along with the 700 senators, deputies and government ministers.

Leonor and her sister endured hours of ceremonywithout flagging

The day had begun early with a 9am ceremony in the Zarzuela Palace where their emotional grandfather handed over the red sash of the head of the Armed Forces to King Felipe. Then the Princess joined the new king and queen on the journey to Parliament for Felipe”s official swearing in.

Proceedings culminated with a balcony appearance of the entire family at the Royal Palace in the centre of Madrid.