Royal ladies who’ve served within the army

Royal women have served their country’s in many different ways, including taking up roles in the Armed Forces.

Lady Louise Windsor, the daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, could follow in her late grandmother’s footsteps and join the military.

Her LinkedIn profile reportedly said she is interested in pursuing a career in ‘the military, diplomacy or law.’

Louise, who also has a passion for horses like the late Queen Elizabeth, ‘talks about being very keen on a career in the military, serving the King and country,’ a source told The Sun.

Queen Elizabeth II was the first royal woman to serve full-time in the Armed Forces, when she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in 1945.

Other royals who have actively served since including Princess Salma of Jordan, who became her country’s first female pilot. 

And Princess Leonor of Spain is currently undergoing three years of training at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza.

Read below to find out about the royal women who have been in the military.

Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen’s relationship with the Armed Forces began when, as Princess Elizabeth, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in 1945.

She was the first female member of the Royal Family to join the military as a full-time active member. 

Princess Elizabeth enrolled on a driving and vehicle maintenance course, where she learnt to drive heavy Army vehicles, mechanics theory and map reading.

The Queen’s relationship with the Armed Forces began when, as Princess Elizabeth, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in 1945.

She was the first female member of the Royal Family to join the military as a full-time active member. 

During her time in the ATS, Princess Elizabeth enrolled on a driving and vehicle maintenance course, where she learnt to drive heavy vehicles, mechanics theory and map reading.

She received no special treatment during her training, and mixed with people from all backgrounds.

After working seven hours a day at the barracks, she returned home to Windsor Castle in the evenings.

She was ultimately promoted to the rank of Honorary Junior Commander. 

The Second World War came to an end before she was able to put her skills to practical use.  

Princess Ingrid of Norway

Princess Ingrid started her military training in January and is set to serve a year at the Engineer Battalion in Brigade Nord. She will then go on to Skjold camp in Indre Troms.

According to the Norwegian military’s website, members of the Engineer Battalion are specialists ‘who, among other things, work with defence facilities, bridges and other constructions and CBRN.’

She took some time out of training to celebrate the country’s National Day in Mayand wore her military uniform.

In 2021, the royal toured several army and air force bases in Norway to learn more about the country’s armed forces. 

Sitting in the backseat of an F-16 fighter jet, she was allowed to take control of the plane and pilot it as it flew over Northern Norway.

When she ascends the throne, she will become commandant of Norway’s armies.

Princess Salma of Jordan

Princess Salma of Jordan made history by becoming her country’s first female pilot in 2020. 

In 2018, the princess graduated from Britain’s prestigiou Royal Military Academy Sandhurst when she was just 18 years old. 

Prince William also trained at the school and was commissioned as a British Army officer in December 2006.

His younger brother, Prince Harry, endured the 44-week training course at Sandhurst in 2005 before becoming an Officer in the Household Cavalry Blues and Royals in April 2006. 

Last December, Salma – who is first-lieutenant in the Jordanian Royal Air Force – airlifted aid to a Jordanian field hospital in northern Gaza, The Telegraph reported. 

Princess Leonor of Spain

The heir to the Spanish throne, 18, must complete the three years in the military in line with tradition.

Princess Leonor is following in the footsteps of her father King Felipe at the General Military Academy of Zaragoza. 

He was a student there from 1985 until 1988.

In July, the Princess became a junior army officer and was presented with a badge by her father.

The pair saluted each other after he attached it to her uniform. 

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium 

Most university students find it’s enough of a challenge to drag themselves to lectures. 

But not Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, who juggled her degree in history and politics in Oxford with military training back home.

Elisabeth began her training at the Royal Military Academy in 2021 and recently graduated from Oxford.

The balance of academic and military experience is regarded as an essential foundation for her future life as a queen. 

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.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark 

Princess Mary of Denmark was appointed captain of the Danish Home Guard in March 2019. 

In her role, the mother-of-four oversees the annual Parade – which celebrates Denmark’s liberation from Nazi rule.

Last year, Mary wore an army uniform as she took part in a Home Guard Parade in Copenhagen. 

Mary proudly had four medals on show for the ceremony, including the Order of the Elephant, which is the highest-ranking order in Denmark.