Not sure where to post this. The television program 'BOOS' has researched shortcuts of members of the royal family in the army. Apparently the defence department adapts its own rules and requirements to accomodate members of the royal family.
The show will discuss the carreers of Pieter van Vollenhoven, Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Lucas van Lippe-Biesterfeld (son of Prince Maurits). The latter went to the militairy academy right after finishing his secundairy school in 2020. Within 11 months -instead of the usual 4 years- he was promoted and is now an officer. He served shortly in Iraq.
The defence minister, Kasja Ollongren, commented that members of the RF sometimes follow a 'special track'. The RVD speaks of a connection between army and family that goes back centuries.
The program will be posted on youtube tomorrow at 16:00.
https://www.rtlboulevard.nl/enterta...2431/tim-hofman-onderzoek-defensie-koningsuis
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Personal comment: although I can imagine a special trajectory for Pieter van Vollenhoven or Pieter-Christiaan I am puzzled why such an exception was made for Lucas van Lippe-Biesterfeld. Perhaps there is more to the story which we don't know but I can't see why this would be a desirable route to take, esp. if he intends to stay in the army.
It *could* be that he is the only one of the new generation who has an interest in it? And they needed him to be made an officer so in the future Pss Amalia can send a relative to military events? In the same way that Prince Maurits or Prince Pieter-Christiaan sometimes represent the King? I find it hard to imagine what else would justify an exception, tough if that had been the case one could have expected this to be announced. From the articles it is unclear if Lucas still is in the army or if this was intended as a one-year 'special track', before another study.