Queen of the Netherlands Joins Armed Forces Reserve

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, 54, has joined the armed forces reserve, stating that the country’s security “can no longer be considered guaranteed.”

The Royal House of the Netherlands announced this.

The move by the Dutch royal family is intended to underscore the importance of military service.

Military training is common among European royals, though it is usually completed at a younger age.

Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra recently finished 15 months of military service.

Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth completed a one-year program in social and military sciences at the Royal Military Academy of Belgium in 2021.

Many members of the British royal family have also served in the military.

Spain’s Princess Leonor enrolled in military training at the General Air and Space Forces Academy and last year completed her first solo military flight.

Queen of the Netherlands in Service

Máxima is not the only member of the Dutch royal family to have recently joined the armed forces. Last month, her daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia was promoted to the rank of corporal after completing her military training.

The Queen has been appointed the rank of private, and on Wednesday, she began her training. Photographs released by the Royal House show her practicing pistol shooting, climbing a rope, and marching in formation.

After completing her training, Máxima will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Reservists serve in the armed forces on a part-time basis, often combining military service with civilian work or studies, and are deployed where and when needed. They operate across all branches of the military.

Strengthening the Dutch Army

Like many other European countries, the Netherlands is expanding its armed forces amid a perceived threat from Russia.

Three political parties preparing to lead the country following the recent elections agree with this approach.

“We do not accept remaining dependent on others for our defense,” they outlined in the coalition government agreement.

The coalition agreement provides for increasing military spending to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2035, up from 1.9 percent in 2024. The Netherlands also plans to expand its armed forces to at least 122,000 personnel, up from fewer than 80,000 currently.

To encourage young people in the Netherlands to join the military, the new coalition plans to survey youth about the possibility of serving in the armed forces.