Princess Amalia of the Netherlands to Receive Military Training Next Year

This Monday marked the traditional summer photo session of the Dutch royal family, attended by Princess Amalia despite a recent equestrian accident that resulted in a fractured arm and a hospital visit. The 21-year-old heir has also made headlines with her immediate future plans. The daughter of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands will continue her Dutch Law studies at the University of Amsterdam, where she has also studied Politics, Psychology, and Economics. Additionally, she will participate in the Defensity College training programme over the next two academic years.

Following in the footsteps of other crown princesses, such as Ingrid of Norway and Leonor of Spain, she will receive military training. The announcement came as a surprise, given that the king has not been the head of the Armed Forces since 1848, making military instruction non-essential in her case. According to the Dutch Royal House's statement: "It is the Defence working students programme, where students are trained to become military reservists. The Princess of Orange applied and has been accepted."