Princess Amalia starts two-year military training while pursuing law degree

Princess Amalia began her studies at the Defensity College on Tuesday, according to an announcement from the Government Information Service. The eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will spend the next two years in a work-study program that trains her to become a military reservist.

Amalia will not yet take part in the physical training, which includes shooting and obstacle courses, until she has fully recovered from the arm fracture she suffered in early June. During this period, she is taking theoretical modules, training, and assignments at the Defence Staff.

She is the first woman of the Royal House to join the military in a work-study role as a reservist. Her duties at Defence are voluntary, and she earns no salary for her work-study position, according to RTL.

The Government Information Service stated that the king has given Amalia the rank of third-class sailor in the Royal Navy, as well as third-class soldier in the Royal Army and Royal Air Force. After finishing her training, she will advance to the rank of corporal.

Alongside her program at Defensity College, which serves as the Defence work-study program for students pursuing higher education at HBO and university (WO) levels, she is pursuing a bachelor’s in Dutch Law at the University of Amsterdam.

Earlier this summer, she finished her PPLE bachelor’s degree, Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics, at the same university. Work-study students typically work one to two days a week for Defence, alongside their university or HBO studies.