The Queen Of The Netherlands Has Joined The Military To Boost Recruitment
Queen Máxima said “security is no longer self-evident” and wanted to “contribute to that security”.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has joined the Dutch army to boost military recruitment as European countries seek to strengthen their own security.
The 54-year-old Argentinian-born Queen and wife of King Willem-Alexander announced she had joined the military as a reservist soldier in a royal statement on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
She said “security is no longer self-evident” and wanted to “contribute to that security”.
Queen Máxima started her training on Feb. 1 and will undergo training for nearly a year during which she will learn “all practical and theoretical military components”, including physical resilience, self-defence, marksmanship, map reading and military law, according to AP.
She will then receive the title of lieutenant colonel.
Reservists serve in the military as part-time basis, combining military service with civilian work, and can be called whenever needed.
Images from the ministry of defense show the Queen practicing marksmanship and scaling walls.
The spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Defense said he hopes “other people will think, ‘hey, this is something I could do.”
Some European countries are looking to boost their military spending because of ongoing conflicts in the region, especially Russia's war in Ukraine, and concerns about the US’ reliability to provide support during the Trump administration.
In 2024, Denmark announced women would be called on to serve in the military for the first time in 2026.
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