Belgium’s crown princess begins military training

Brussels: Belgium’s Crown Princess Elisabeth recently began her military training as she prepares to one day take the throne, foreign media reported.

Elisabeth took part in a military initiation training at Elsenborn Belgian army camp in Butgenbach on Thursday, with photos showing the 18-year-old royal dressed in army fatigues and shooting guns.

In May, the Belgian royal palace announced the Duchess of Brabant would be enrolling in the Royal Military Academy this fall, following in the footsteps of her father, King Philippe, People reported. He attended the academy from 1978 to 1981.

Roughly 150 students are admitted each year into the academy, which provides training for Belgian’s army, air force, navy and medical branches. The admissions process includes rigorous exams in math, French and Dutch language, physical tests and a psychological evaluation, the magazine said.

Elisabeth, who received her international baccalaureate from United World College of the Atlantic in Wales, is first in line of succession to the throne.