Princess Leonor’s Arabic ’Love’ Necklace Sparks Intrigue at Graduation Ceremony

This is not the first time the young heir to the Spanish throne has worn this necklace with the Arabic word "alhob" (love in French) as a pendant. Princess Leonor, 17, had already worn it last summer during the royal family’s trip to the Carthusian monastery of Valldemossa in Majorca, recalls Vanitatis.

The origin of this necklace remains a mystery. For some, it would be a souvenir from her grandfather, King Juan Carlos 1st, who has been residing in Abu Dhabi for more than two years. For others, it would be a gift from Prince Moulay Hassan, son of King Mohammed VI.

The sight of this necklace around Princess Leonor’s neck has sparked a wave of comments on Twitter. For the record, Princess Leonor and her sister, Infanta Sofía, have been taking Arabic lessons since childhood. In addition to Arabic, they speak English, Catalan and Basque.