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Princes and generals: military training is inevitable for the heirs of European monarchies

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Despite the rapid changes brought about by today’s era, some things never change. In the case of the heirs of European monarchies, this applies to his military training. No matter what one’s particular circumstances are, Passing through the military is an unavoidable instance because in the future they will be able to become the leaders and leaders of their Armed Forces.

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Princess Leonor of Spain, who will turn eighteen in October and will be of age, will begin her military training as heir to the throne a month earlier, which it will last three years with its passage in the academies of the three Armies (Land, Marine and Air and Space) before university.

Leonor de Borbón will complete her baccalaureate in a few months, which consisted of two yearly courses at UWC Atlantic College in Wales (UK).

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Princess Leonor (left), seen here with her sister Sofía, will have to undergo three years of military training in Spain.  Photo: AP

Princess Leonor (left), seen here with her sister Sofía, will have to undergo three years of military training in Spain. Photo: AP

The princess’s military training will begin at the General Academy of Zaragoza, where she will take two courses in one year, in addition to being sworn in the flag.

After his time in the army, he will join the second year at the Marín Naval School, in Pontevedra, and will embark as an ensign on the training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano. The following year he will complete the course at the General Air and Space Academy in San Javier (Murcia), where he should learn to fly fighter planes.

United Kingdom

In the case of Prince William, the eldest son of King Carlos III, it was given to him an intensive two-year training programme which included working with government departments, tutoring constitutional experts, and attending conferences with prominent figures.

Furthermore, it is also traditional within the British royal family in the United Kingdom for the heir to the crown or the king’s children to receive military training, although they do not necessarily have to come from the Royal Air Force RAF, the British Royal Air Force Navy or Army of the Earth.

Prince Harry, during his time in Afghanistan with the British Army.  Photo: AP

Prince Harry, during his time in Afghanistan with the British Army. Photo: AP

Specifically, Prince William trained as an RAF helicopter pilot and for two years worked 20 hours a week as an ambulance pilot in the air emergency service with East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Nordic countries

In the Scandinavian royal houses there are no specific rules on how heirs to the throne should be educated, although it is normal for them to receive some kind of military training.

In Norway, Princess Ingrid Alexandra – second in line after her father, the heir Haakon – began her primary education in 2010 at Jansløkka School, although between 2014 and 2019 she attended Oslo International School, a private institute, a decision which has attracted criticism in Norway. He will finish high school in a few months in a public high school in Elvebakken.

The eldest daughter of princes Haakon and Mette-Marit has not made a decision about her future.

“I have to do my military service like the others, but nowhere in the Constitution does it say that I need military training, so if I choose to do it, it won’t be because of my role,” he said a few months ago.

The Norwegian royal family celebrates the King and Queen's 80th birthday.  Photo: AP

The Norwegian royal family celebrates the King and Queen’s 80th birthday. Photo: AP

In Denmark, Prince Christian of Denmark, who will come of age in October, attended primary school at Tranegårdskole public school and in August 2021 started his baccalaureate at Herlufsholm boarding school, where he attended only one year when the center was embroiled in a bullying controversy.

Since August 2022 he has been studying at the public institute in Ordrup, north of Copenhagen, where he is expected to finish his studies in June 2024. Plans for his future have not been made public..

Princess Estela of Sweden, who just turned 11, started primary school in 2018 at the Campus Manilla public school.

His mother received basic military training in her time at the Swedish Armed Forces International Center and also completed several courses at the National Defense Higher Academy.

The current monarch, Carl XVI Gustaf, did his military training in the Swedish Navy when he was heir to the throne and was later also in the armies on land and in the air, acquiring the rank of second lieutenant in all three corps.

Belgium

Princess Elisabeth, heiress to Belgium, studied history and politics at the age of 21 at Lincoln College, Oxford University.

King Philip and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.  Photo: EFE

King Philip and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. Photo: EFE

In 2020 he completed his International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, while in July 2021 he completed his year of study in Social and Military Sciences at the Royal Belgian Military Academy.

At the age of 18 he entered that institution and she was the first female member of the Belgian royal family to do so, as previously attending this school was only for men. The initial phase and the winter camp took place at the military barracks in Eselnborn (Eastern Belgium).

The last stage of the academic year consisted of a three-day course at the Commando Training Center in Marche-les-Dames (southern Belgium), in which the daughter of the kings Philippe and Matilda had to work in an “unusual” environment , to overcome “its limitations” and show “courage, audacity and commitment”, it was said at the time.

When I ascend the throne she will become the first woman to assume the Head of State in the country unlike previous queens, who had exercised consorts.

Holland

In 2022, Princess Amalia of the Netherlands she was presented to the military on her 18th birthday and officially become heir to the throne.

She visited the air, naval and land forces to familiarize herself with their materiel, training, approach battalions and speak with the servicemen and employees involved.

Princess Amalia of the Netherlands with her father, King Willem-Alexander.  Photo: AFP

Princess Amalia of the Netherlands with her father, King Willem-Alexander. Photo: AFP

currently it is unclear whether he will receive military trainingbut the Dutch military and the royal family have had a special historical bond since the time of William of Orange in the 16th century.

At the moment the young Dutchwoman has been studying Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics at the University of Amsterdam since September, and is still going through a very difficult moment after having seen her security strengthened and her freedom of movement limited due to the threats received from crime organized, by his own admission last month.

Monk

In the Principality of Monaco, the current sovereign, Albert II, he had military training in the French navy aboard the helicopter carrier “Jeanne DArc”.

According to what official sources of the Principality explained to Efe, military education is not compulsory among the leaders of Monaco.

As for Albert II’s children, the 8-year-old twins Jacques (Crown Prince) and Gabriella (Princess), there are currently no military training plans for them.

Source: EFE

Source: Clarin

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