In a few weeks time, England and Wales will become the home of three European princesses. And two of them have already landed in the UK ahead of the beginning of their new studies.

       Princess Leonor of Spain and Princess Alexia of The Netherlands both left their homelands on Monday to head to Wales.

       There, they will attend for the next two years the International Baccalaureate at the UWC Atlantic College in Llantwit Major.

       Their respective royal families bid their public goodbyes in different ways yesterday.

       Princess Leonor was accompanied to Adolfo Suarez Barajas Airport in Madrid by her mum Queen Letizia, dad King Felipe V and sister Infanta Sofia.

       There, the Spanish royals were photographed hugging tightly the teenager before waving her goodbye as she was crossing the departure gate.

       The 15-year-old carried with her three pieces of luggage - a leather satchel, a backpack and a carry-on suitcase.

       She also held a green jacket, which she was seen wearing in pictures taken in Wales once she arrived at her new school.

       Princess Alexia's departure from her home in The Hague was publicly marked with a picture taken by the Dutch sovereign himself.

       READ MORE: Queen’s great-nephew is set to start training with the Royal Marines

       King Willem-Alexander took a picture of his second daughter standing just outside their residence.

       In the snap, the 16-year-old royal wore ripped jeans, a flannel red-and-black shirt above a long-sleeved shirt.

       While smiling to the camera, she carried on her shoulders two heavy-looking black bags.

       The snap was shared on the Dutch royals' official Instagram account, alongside the caption: "Princess Alexia is leaving for the United World College of the Atlantic (UWC Atlantic College) in Llantwit Major in Wales.

       "She will attend her International Baccalaureate for the next two years.

       "Princess Alexia completed the fourth year at the Christelijk Gymnasium in The Hague last school year."

       Leonor and Alexia will attend the same school from which Princess Elisabeth, the future Queen of Belgium, graduated in 2020.

       The UWC school was founded in 1962 by German educator Kurt Hahn.

       Among its royal alumni, it can count King Willem-Alexander and Belgium's King Philippe.

       But it is deeply connected with royalty also thanks to its current presidents - Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Noor of Jordan.

       Nelson Mandela was also one of the illustrious presidents of this institution until his death in 2013.

       Mr Hahn had previously founded another school popular among royals - Gordonstoun, famously attended by Prince Philip and Prince Charles among other members of the House of Windsor.

       After returning to Belgium in March last year, Princess Elisabeth completed a one-year course at the Royal Military Academy, which included physical training as well as theoretical studies.

       But the princess is now set to return to the UK.

       This morning, the Belgian Royal Palace announced Princess Elisabeth will attend the three-year course in History and Politics at Lincoln College, which is part of the University of Oxford.

       The Belgian palace added: "The Princess will regularly return to Belgium and remain involved in Belgian public life".