Princess Isabella (19) arrived at the Antvorskov Barracks near the Danish city of Slagelse on August 3. Photos from Monday show the daughter of King Frederik X (58) and Queen Mary (54) with a large bag over her shoulders and a smile on her face. Isabella has begun her military service with the Guard Hussar Regiment.
The 19-year-old, who drove up herself in a car, faces challenging months in an extended basic military service, as reported by the Danish news agency Ritzau, among others. This is the first cohort for which the extended military service generally applies.
According to military reports, about half of the new cohort had already arrived in Frederikshavn on Sunday evening. Around 1,600 young Danish men and women began their new chapter of life today at a total of 14 locations. From 2026, compulsory military service will comprise eleven months in most cases, but twelve months for the Guard Hussar Regiment, for example. According to the reports, about 20 percent of the young people starting military service in Denmark this year are women.
Isabella faces basic training
For Isabella, the next step is three to five months of basic training. During this period, those performing military service undergo firearms training, must train physically, or learn skills such as terrain orientation. Subsequent duties generally include guard and standby services, among others. Deployments at home and abroad are also possible. However, foreign deployment is on a voluntary basis.
According to Danish media, the princess is waiving compensation. Conscripted persons are usually entitled to a salary and food allowance totaling the equivalent of just over 2,300 euros.
Princess Isabella celebrated her graduation from Øregård Gymnasium in June. She is now following the example of her brother Crown Prince Christian of Denmark (20), who also completed his military service at the barracks. He started in February 2025 and subsequently began training to become a lieutenant. The Royal House had already confirmed in advance that Isabella would also perform military service.
