What could happen to the monarchy if Princess Leonor of Spain didn’t have children?

Princess Leonor of Spain reached adulthood on October 31, 2023, officially becoming the “heiress” of the Spanish throne. If King Felipe abdicated or passed away, she would automatically become the monarch of Spain. But what would happen if she didn’t have children once she ascended the throne? 

Questions about the Spanish line of succession have royal fans buzzing with intrigue, as the idea of Leonor passing away with no children in the family has started popping up. The line basically positions Princess Leonor first, followed by Infanta Sofía, and then, Infanta Elena, the king’s older sister. Here, “Infanta” refers to a title used in Spain and Portugal to denote a daughter who’s not the heir to the throne, but holds the same “prestige” as a princess.

If Leonor becomes the queen and doesn’t leave any descendants before passing away, the throne would be taken by Infanta Sofía, and her children would then move up in the line of succession. If Sofía decides to have no children, then the succession would fall to Infanta Elena, but this scenario is unlikely, as she’s currently 60 years old and she’s far from the line of succession at this point.

In case none of the three ladies mentioned above can be crowned as the queen of Spain, the most viable option for the monarchy would be Froilán of Marichalar and Borbón. Interestingly enough, he’s one of the most controversial grandchildren of King Juan Carlos, who abdicated in 2014.