Princess Leonor is nearing the final stretch of her military training, having completed stints in Zaragoza, Marín, the training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano, and her current aerial phase between San Javier and Talavera la Real. Her journey will officially culminate when she receives the corresponding commissions as an officer in the Spanish Army and Air Force. After that, she will begin a new university chapter that everyone is talking about: private yet discreet security measures and a degree in Political Science at the Public University Carlos III in Madrid. Undoubtedly, an entirely new life ahead — and with an even greater presence at official events.
Amidst this, a detail on her flight uniform that had previously gone unnoticed has captured attention. Looking back at her recent public appearances, the last official image of Princess Leonor at Talavera la Real Air Base showed her piloting an F-5 jet. Beyond the sage-green flight suit and the powerful symbolism of her military training, a specific element sparked curiosity days later: the striking patch of a small yellow chicken wearing a helmet, positioned on her right shoulder.
Princess Leonor in the air at the controls of an F-5: her first flight in a combat aircraft.
What might at first seem like a playful or even anecdotal detail actually carries a precise meaning within Spanish military aviation. This emblem identifies students who have passed the initial instruction phase and begun flying actual aircraft. In other words, it serves as an internal “credential” marking the transition from theory to practical cockpit experience.
The well-known “chicken” patch is part of the historical tradition of the General Air and Space Academy and is directly linked to one of Spain’s most iconic training aircraft: the CASA C-101.
The ‘culopollo’ patch worn by Princess Leonor.
This training jet, used for decades to train military pilots, earned the popular nickname “culopollo” due to the peculiar shape of its rear section. The design of the emblem Leonor now wears originates from this — a patch also worn by King Felipe VI during his own air training in the 1980s. Looking closely at recently released images, other patches laden with military symbolism also appear on her flight suit.
On her left arm, she wears the emblem of the Pilatus PC-21, the modern training system currently used to train Air Force pilots. On her chest, the insignia of the General Air Academy stands out, recognizable by the silver eagle on a red background. Another patch references the well-known “suelta” — the first solo flight of any student pilot, one of the most important moments in the entire training process.
The meaning of the patches on Princess Leonor’s flight suit.
In summary, each patch represents a completed stage, an acquired skill, and real progress within a preparation that extends far beyond mere protocol. It is not merely decorative; it tells the story of her advancement through the ranks of military aviation.
