The Belgian Royal Palace has released photos of Prince Gabriel (19) and Crown Princess Elisabeth (21) participating in the Royal Military School's annual summer camp. Elisabeth also participated in the summer camp the past two years, for Gabriel it was the first time.
Like every year, the student officers of the Royal Military School (KMS) go on summer camp to the municipality of Arlon in the Luxembourg province in July to hone their military skills and techniques. On Saturday, the Royal Palace and Defence Ministry released photos of Prince Gabriel and Princess Elisabeth at summer camp on social media.
🫡 Dit kamp richtte zich op de opleiding van pelotonscommandant en het leren leiden van een peloton van ongeveer dertig mensen. Theoretische lessen, tactische oefeningen en gevechtsprocédés plaatsten hen voor het eerst in de rol van officier. pic.twitter.com/YSqmunOI11
— Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) July 29, 2023
Prince Gabriel (19), the eldest son of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, started his education at the KMS this year. He concluded his first year with the summer camp.
"During this camp, the student officers were taken out of their comfort zone and had to learn to push their limits. The programme included obstacle courses, camouflage lessons, target practice and sports activities," the Palace said. "It also strengthened the group spirit among the students as they had to complete the exercises together, and in an environment that was unfamiliar to them."
🪖 Tijdens dit kamp werden de leerling-officieren uit hun comfortzone gehaald en moesten ze hun grenzen leren verleggen. Op het programma stonden o.a. hindernissenparcours, camouflagelessen, schietoefeningen en sportactiviteiten. pic.twitter.com/TjAXH1Hb8w
— Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) July 29, 2023
Crown Princess Elisabeth (21) already attended a one-year course at the KMS from 2020 to 2021. In the summers of 2021 and 2022, she also already participated in the military summer camp. Later this year, she will take the oath as an officer.
"This camp focused on platoon commander training and learning to lead a platoon of about 30 people. Theoretical lessons, tactical exercises and combat procedures placed them in the role of officer for the first time," the Palace said of Princess Elisabeth's camp. They also learned to use more complex weapons, such as grenades and anti-tank weapons.