Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium was photographed in her camouflage cadet uniform as she carried out tactical drills at the Royal Military Academy.
Elisabeth, 18, the eldest daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde and heir to the Belgian throne, is finishing her first year at the academy after completing her secondary education at UWC Atlantic College in Wales.
The young royal joined the military academy in September last year. Today she was photographed at the Lagland camp in Arlon, where she marched in formation with her fellow cadets.
For the officer cadets of the Royal Military Academy (RMA), this camp is part of the last training phase for first year students, and constitutes part of the Initial Military Phase.
It is not known how long Elisabeth plans to spend at the academy but her father King Philippe studied there for three years as a teenager.
Belgium’s Crown Princess Elisabeth was seen donning her camouflage cadet uniform as she undergoes her final stage of training during her first year at a ‘tough’ military academy
The young royal, 18, who was previously studying at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, joined the army in September last year, she is seen standing to attention with her fellow cadets
Heir to the throne Elisabeth was seen attending a tactical military exercise at the Royal Military Academy at the Lagland camp in Arlon. She is seen having breakfast during the exercise
The youngster could be seen standing to attention with her fellow cadet officers during the military training exercise as she proudly wore her blue military beret.
In other pictures the royal lined up for her breakfast before sitting down with other students at the RMA where she appeared to be getting on well with other officer cadets.
When the news hit the headlines, one of the training school’s students has offered insight into the course and some sage words of advice ahead of Elisabeth’s enrolment.
Evelyn Gravez, 22, has almost completed her master’s degree in social and military Sciences at the school.
For the officer cadets of the Royal Military Academy (RMA), this camp is part of the last training phase for first year students, and constitutes part of the Initial Military Phase. Elisabeth can be seen marching in formation during the training day
The princess can be seen standing to attention during the military training exercise as she proudly wore her blue military beret
A student previously said the Princess Elisabeth, pictured standing to attention during the exercise, was in for a ‘tough’ life at the school
The student revealed Elisabeth’s first weeks would include learning to fire a gun, setting up an army tent, marching with a backpack, tactical training and reading maps
She told local media: ‘My advice? Above all, make as many friends as possible. They’ll help you through if you’re having a hard time.’
Speaking about what life will be like for the teenage princess, Evelyn revealed her first weeks would include learning to fire a gun, setting up an army tent, marching with a backpack, tactical training and reading maps.
She added that the experience is ‘pretty tough’ and that ‘they really throw you in’, warning the initiation period is not for everyone and that a number of students drop out each year.
However, Ms Gravez added that the camp is not like the cliches of military school often seen in Hollywood movies: ‘They don’t yell at you when you make mistakes. Of course, sometimes they have to be strict.
Elisabeth, pictured during the training exercise, is the heir apparent to the Belgian throne – the eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde
Elisabeth, stands to attention as she attends a tactical military exercise at the Royal Military Academy this morning
The young royal spent 18 months boarding at UWC Atlantic College in South Wales before joining the military academy
‘Because mistakes, they have to be sorted out as quickly as possible. But if you are a bit slow to learn, they are there to encourage you, not to bark at you.’
Although there will be tough days ahead, the student believes that the princess will get used to it and that it might even help her lead the country in the future.
She added: ‘I think Elisabeth will certainly get used to it. Even if she only stays one year.
‘We learn to make decisions under stress, leadership techniques. That will be useful for her as head of state.’
In other pictures, the young royal lined up for her breakfast at the Lagland camp in Arlon
Princess Elisabeth later sat down with other students at the RMA where she appeared to be getting on well with other officer cadets
The princess, who received her International Baccalaureate Diploma last summer, is currently at the end of a one-year course in social and military sciences
The course is said to teach in-depth about the four components of Belgian defence; Army, Air Force, Navy and Medical
A change in the law a decade ago made it possible for the eldest child, male or female, to ascend the throne in the country. She will become the country’s first Queen Regent if she takes up the role.
Elisabeth spent 18 months boarding at UWC Atlantic College in South Wales before returning home to Brussels in March ahead of the government lockdown.
She spent lockdown living with her parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, and her three siblings in Brussels.
The princess, who received her International Baccalaureate Diploma last summer, is currently at the end of a one-year course in social and military sciences.
The course is said to teach in-depth about the four components of Belgian defence; Army, Air Force, Navy and Medical.
King Philippe, 60, spent three years at the esteemed institution between 1978 to 1981.