Danish Royals
This new rule changes Josephine and Vincent’s future
Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent, Prince Christian, Queen Mary and Princess Josephine
© Dana Press
As the youngest members of the Danish royal family, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine are rarely in the public eye. Now Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has announced a new law that only affects twins among siblings.
They are the youngest of the four siblings: Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, both 13, have only made a few public appearances so far. Although Prince Christian, 18, and Princess Isabella, 16, do not yet perform any regular tasks for the royal family, the two older children of King Frederik, 55, and Queen Mary, 51, are able to handle a few duties on their own.
On March 13, 2024, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, 46, announced a new law at a press conference that does not affect Isabella and Christian – but will have an even greater impact on the future of Josephine and Vincent: From 2026, “it will be compulsory military service in Denmark “Give equal rights,” quotes the website “BT”.
Changes to conscription only affect the twins
This means for Denmark’s still-teenagers: In the future, both men and women will be drafted into the military when they turn 18. In addition, compulsory military service is to be extended from four to eleven months. “Zeit Online” writes that women currently make up around 25 percent of all those doing military service. The new law should be introduced in 2025 and apply from 2026. Mette Frederiksen explained that they want to achieve “full equality between the sexes”. So far there have always been enough volunteers among young Danes so that not all young men have to be called up. The selection is currently based on a lottery process; According to “BT”, this should also apply from 2026.
For the children of the Danish royal family, this means: Only Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine can be drafted into military service on equal terms. Princess Isabella will come of age in 2025 – and will therefore just miss the limit of the new law.
Praise and criticism for new rules
Fie West, head of entertainment at “BT”, believes that the new laws can be crucial for the perception of the royal family within Denmark. She recalls that both King Frederik and Prince Joachim, 54, took part in a military program, “and we know that Crown Prince Christian will also follow this example when he graduates. […] Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine don’t turn 18 for another five years, but I would be very surprised if they are not called up at that time.”
West would also like to have experience in the military for Princess Isabella: “It would be a very strong signal if she decided to join the Danish defense in some way at the appropriate time, even if she can in principle ‘evade’ compulsory military service.” The journalist also emphasizes the close connection that has traditionally existed between the royal family and the armed forces for years. The palace itself did not want to comment on the new law when asked by “BT”.
“Zeit Online” in turn quotes statements from the Danish military union CS. Union leader Jesper K. Hansen told public broadcaster DR that the military would lack trainers to accommodate conscripts for eleven months. He condemns the government’s plans as “not at all realistic in the short term” and also criticizes the lack of accommodation. Many union members are of the opinion that “there is a lot of talk but nothing is happening”.
Sources used: bt.dk, zeit.de, dr.dk