Crown Princess Elisabeth swore the Belgian officer’s oath at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels last night. She is now a sub-lieutenant. Every heir to the throne (except the late King Boudewijn) preceded her in the military. Princess Elisabeth’s parents, King Filip and Queen Mathilde, attended the ceremony. Her sister Eléonore and her brother Emmanuel were also there, as was brother Gabriel, who is also studying at the military academy.
Crown princess Elisabeth takes officer’s oath at the Royal Military Academy (VIDEO)
Colin Clapson
Published:
43 years after her father Filip took the oath as an officer Princess Elisabeth did so too speaking in the three national languages of Belgium.
Elisabeth only attended the first year of the "Social and Military Sciences" course, three years ago. She then started studies in Oxford (United Kingdom). She did not complete her military education but was still able to join her year-mates at military summer camp during the holiday months. Because of her special position as crown princess, she was also able to take now the oath as an officer together with them.
"Her military career is slightly different to usual" said Colonel Thierry Pirenne of the Royal Military Academy. "She was obliged to perform certain activities, including stays abroad. To get that all done, choices had to be made. As a result, she unfortunately could not take the full training course at the RMA, but she was able to take the oath."