Following Máxima’s visit to the army, several emails were received about Amalia’s involvement in the army. Or rather the lack thereof, as I read between the lines. In this blog I explain why Amalia does not follow the example of her Spanish, Norwegian and Belgian colleagues.
Before she left for England for her own chosen study, Princess Elisabeth of Belgium trained at the Royal Military Academy. In Het Laatste Nieuws, Colonel Thierry Pirenne said last year that – in addition to tactical aspects – mainly leadership aspects were taught. Apparently with success, because the future Queen of Belgium has now taken the officer’s oath and has 30 to 40 soldiers under her.
Leonor, Spain’s number 1 in line of succession, has also registered for military training. Hers lasts no less than three years. At military events she always makes an appearance in uniform and the court regularly releases snapshots of a training Leonor, who will become acquainted with all parts of the Spanish armed forces in the coming years.
There is a similar situation in Norway. Ingrid Alexandra has joined the Engineer Battalion for twelve months. Images of this are also regularly shared, because: connection, involvement.
Things are very different in the Netherlands. Amalia did tour all parts of the armed forces, but that was nothing more than a fun internship. Sailing in a submarine, flying in an F-16, and more along those lines. Why the difference? Why doesn’t she join the army like her royal peers? The answer is quite simple: in the Netherlands the relationship between the army and the monarchy is different than in the previously mentioned countries. The separation between government (which includes the head of state) and the military is strict. Very strict. It is not without reason that King Willem-Alexander was honorably discharged from the army on April 30, 2013, the day of the inauguration.
In Belgium, the head of state is commander-in-chief. If Elisabeth ends up on the Belgian throne in the future, she must know the soldier’s world from the inside out. Even though the Chief of Defense is actually in charge. In Spain the situation is similar. When Felipe took over from his father Juan Carlos, he was given a red sash. This action made it clear that Felipe had now become commander of the Spanish army. If Leonor succeeds her father in the future, she will receive the sash around her shoulder. Some experience in the army is not an unnecessary luxury. Finally, Norway. There, the head of state is the commander and the Head of Defense is actually in charge.
All in all, it is therefore easy to understand that Elisabeth, Leonor and Ingrid Alexandra all joined the army. There is no need for Amalia, because if she becomes our head of state in the future, she will no longer be allowed to be a serving soldier, in any rank. If she decides to join the army in the future, she will do so for herself and not because of an obligation that is breathing down her neck.
