Queen Máxima of the Netherlands recently began military training after enlisting as a reservist in the Dutch armed forces. The Queen was appointed to the rank of soldier, and images released by the Royal House showed her practicing with a handgun at a shooting range, climbing a rope, and marching in formation with other service members. After completing her training, she is expected to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
“In times of rising threats, she shows personal commitment to the security of the Netherlands,” Ruben Brekelmans, Minister of Defence of the Netherlands, said in a statement on X. “What an outstanding role model. I am proud how she sets an example of how we all can contribute.”
Reservists in the Netherlands serve part time alongside civilian careers or studies and can be deployed when and where needed. They are active across all branches of the armed forces. “Because the security of the Netherlands can no longer be taken for granted, Máxima has decided to become a reservist,” the Ministry of Defense said last week, per the Associated Press.
As noted by The New York Times, Máxima’s training comes as nations across Europe move to strengthen their militaries, both in the face of perceived threats from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and ongoing war. The Royal House did not provide details on how the Queen’s reserve duties would be integrated with her public schedule.
Patrick van Katwijk//Getty Images
Queen Maxima hugs her daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia, after she completes her general military training and is promoted to corporal in January.
Queen Máxima, 54, is not the only member of the Dutch royal family to have taken on a military role. Last month, her eldest daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia, was promoted to corporal after completing military training. The Royal House has previously said the Crown Princess would balance her studies with reserve duties.
Military training is a common practice among European royals, especially future monarchs, though it often occurs earlier in life. Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway completed 15 months of military service before moving to Australia to attend the University of Sydney. Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth, who is now close to completing her master’s degree at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, completed a year of Social and Military Sciences at the Royal Military Academy in 2021. Spain’s future queen, Princess Leonor, is in the final year of three years of military training across three branches (army, navy, and air force). She is currently enrolled at the General Academy of Air and Space and last year completed her first solo military flight. Many members of the British royal family—including King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry—have also served in the armed forces over the years.
Rachel King (she/her) is a news writer at Town & Country. Before joining T&C, she spent nearly a decade as an editor at Fortune. Her work covering travel and lifestyle has appeared in Forbes, Observer, Robb Report, Cruise Critic, and Cool Hunting, among others. Originally from San Francisco, she lives in New York with her wife, their daughter, and a precocious labradoodle. Follow her on Instagram at @rk.passport.