Denmark’s Princess Isabella has begun an 11-month mandatory military training program. With this move, she becomes the first female member of the Danish royal family to join full-scale mandatory military service. According to a report by 9news.com.au, the 19-year-old princess officially reported for duty on August 3 at the Antvorskov Barracks in the city of Slagelse. This marks a significant milestone in the history of the Danish monarchy.
Isabella, the eldest daughter of King Frederik X and Queen Mary, joined the Guard Hussar Regiment just weeks after completing her secondary education. She arrived at the barracks in a low-key manner on her first day after the summer break, driving herself there in a black SUV.
Dressed in loose-fitting jeans and a suede jacket, Isabella carried a large backpack and a small purse. She entered the facility after showing her identification card to the guard on duty. After briefly greeting a few local journalists and photographers present at the scene, she proceeded into the training center. Princess Isabella is following in the footsteps of her older brother, Crown Prince Christian, who also completed his military training at the same barracks and is currently training to become a second lieutenant.
Members of the Danish royal family have traditionally served in the armed forces. However, Isabella is the first female royal to participate in full-scale mandatory military service under the expanded military program. Like other trainees, Princess Isabella will not receive a salary or daily allowance for her military service; the Danish royal family stated that she voluntarily declined these financial benefits. Her parents will cover her personal expenses during the training period. Typically, participants in Denmark’s mandatory military service receive a monthly salary and a tax-free daily allowance throughout the 11-month training period.
Princess Isabella’s entry into the army comes at a time when Denmark is strengthening its military capabilities amidst the deteriorating security situation in Europe. The country has taken steps to strengthen its defense capabilities, particularly due to the war in Ukraine and rising tensions in the Arctic region. To this end, Denmark introduced mandatory military service for women in 2024 and extended the training period from four to eleven months. Under this newly expanded program, approximately 1,600 young men and women began their military training this week.
Later this month, a group of trainees will be deployed to Greenland for the first time to participate in various military and operational duties.
