Queen Máxima of the Netherlands joins army reserve aged 54 - and as a private
A member of the Dutch royal family has signed up as a reservist in the Royal Netherlands Army - being appointed the rank of private by royal decree.
Queen Máxima has started training, which will continue for the rest of this year, including all the practical and theoretical military components that are necessary to become a reservist in the army.
Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti, 54, has chosen to enlist now because she wants to contribute to ensuring Dutch society's safety.
After completing her training, she will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and will work where the armed forces think there is a requirement.
In a post on X about the Queen's involvement with the military, defence minister Ruben Brekelmans said: "In times of rising threats, she shows personal commitment to the security of the Netherlands.
"What an outstanding role model. I am proud how she sets an example of how we all can contribute."
In the Netherlands, it is possible to become a reservist in the army up to the age of 55, and it is voluntary. Reservists have to attend mandatory meet-ups, including for participation in exercises, theory days and keeping up with basic military skills.
These reservists can also be called up for military service, much like in the United Kingdom.
There has been a consistently close relationship between the Dutch armed forces and their royal family.
For example, William of Orange was an army commander, while King Willem-Alexander completed his military service in the Royal Navy. King Willem-Alexander later served in the Royal Netherlands Army and the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
Elsewhere, the Princess of Orange is now a corporal and follows the Defensity College programme.
BFBS Forces has collated a list of several other royals who have served in their countries' armed forces.
King Charles III
The King served in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force in the 1970s and has kept a close relationship with the Armed Forces ever since.
During his time in the Senior Service, he was posted to the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk, and subsequently went on to the frigates HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter.
In 1974, the King qualified as a helicopter pilot and flew with 845 Naval Squadron from the commando aircraft carrier HMS Hermes.
His military career ended in 1976, with King Charles III having achieved the rank of commander.
Prince William
Following in the footsteps of his father, Prince William joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst after graduating from the University of St Andrews in 2005.
After finishing the gruelling 44-week course as an Officer Cadet, he was commissioned as a British Army officer in December 2006.
Later, the heir to the throne joined the Household Cavalry (Blues & Royals) as a second lieutenant, commanding a troop of four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles, and was promoted to lieutenant a year later.
A couple of years later, the Prince of Wales undertook attachments to the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.
In the RAF, he learnt to pilot helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, and he completed shore training and navigation with sailors and the Royal Marines in the Royal Navy.
He changed careers to become an RAF search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley on Anglesey in September 2010.
In his three years as a search and rescue pilot, he conducted 156 operations and deployed to the Falkland Islands.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway
Norway also has a royal family whose members have served in the forces.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, grew up at Skaugum, the official residence of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and completed 15 months of military service with the Combat Engineer Battalion in Brigade Nord in the spring of last year.
She served as a gunner on the CV90 combat engineer vehicle, according to the Norwegian defence ministry.
"I am proud and grateful that we have a princess who has completed her military service in such an excellent manner," said defence minister Tore O Sandvik.
"She chose a tough and challenging service in the Engineer Battalion in northern Norway and has set a great example for other young people considering a career in the armed forces."
The second in line to the Norwegian throne is currently studying a degree concentrating on international relations and political economy at the University of Sydney.
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