54-year-old queen volunteers for army reserve: Why she took up a gun, saying security is not guaranteed

[Financial News] As Europe’s security landscape changes rapidly amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and possible shifts in relations under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the Dutch queen’s decision to enlist in the reserves is drawing wide attention.
According to Dutch public broadcaster NOS, The New York Times and other outlets on the 5th (local time), the Dutch royal household announced in a press release that Queen Máxima, wife of King Willem-Alexander, decided to enlist because "we can no longer take our security for granted."
Queen Máxima enlisted on the 1st and began training as a private on the 4th. After completing the program, she will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. The royal family released images of the queen undergoing pistol shooting, rope climbing and marching drills.
Recently, Queen Máxima has been gaining experience by serving with the Royal Military Police, and in October last year she also took part in a military exercise near Harderwijk. After finishing a short-term military training course, she is expected to begin part-time military service, though it has not yet been disclosed to which branch she will be assigned.
Her enlistment comes against a backdrop of growing anxiety over the rapidly changing security environment across Europe. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, concerns have mounted that Moscow could expand its offensive into Western Europe, while President Trump, having secured a second term, has signaled he could turn against European allies in the security sphere if it suits U.S. interests.
As a result, major European countries now face the urgent task of reducing their military dependence on the United States and strengthening their own defense capabilities. The Netherlands also plans to gradually increase defense spending from the current level of about 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) to 2.8% by 2030 and 3.5% by 2035.

This is not the first time a member of the royal family has volunteered for the reserves. What stands out, however, is that Queen Máxima chose to enlist at 54, just one year shy of the upper age limit for reservists, whereas most royals who serve do so when they are much younger.
Within the Dutch royal family, Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia, the queen’s daughter, recently completed military training and was promoted to corporal. King Willem-Alexander also served in the navy and later became a reserve officer in the army, navy, air force and Royal Military Police.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway recently finished 15 months of military service, while Princess Elisabeth of Belgium completed a one-year social and military sciences program at the Royal Military Academy in 2021. Spain’s Princess Leonor has been training at the Air Force Academy and carried out her first solo flight last year.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter