Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium is following in the footsteps of her father, King Philippe.
The Belgian Royal Palace just announced that the 18-year-old will attend the Royal Military Academy in Brussels this fall. While there, Princess Elisabeth (who is first in line to the throne) will learn extensive details about the country’s four major defense components: Army, Air Force, Navy and Medical.
The announcement is a pretty big deal for many reasons. First, the academy holds a special place in the royal family’s heart, since several of Elisabeth’s relatives—including her father, cousin and uncle—were educated at the facility. It’s important to point out that all of her predecessors are men, making her acceptance that much more noteworthy.
Not to mention, the Brussels Royal Military Academy is highly competitive, even for members of the royal family. After passing a basic military test, applicants must take a challenging exam, which includes both French and Dutch sections. The school only admits 150 students per year, so it’s highly selective.
