Queen Máxima to train as an armed forces reservist: Dutch media

Queen Máxima is to train as a reservist in the Dutch armed forces and picked up her uniform last week, according to broadcasters RTL Nieuws and NOS. The news has not yet been confirmed by the state information service RVD.

The queen is 54, almost at the deadline for applying to be a reservist. Her husband king Willem-Alexander trained with the marines as a young man and has reserve ranks across the armed forces.

Last month, Máxima was recorded hugging her eldest daughter Amalia when she completed her own training to be a corporal in the armed forces.

Amalia is currently studying at Defensity College, where university and college students receive basic military training and are officially considered reservists upon completion.

The defence ministry has recently launched a campaign to boost the number of reservists in the armed forces, who can be called up to help out during unexpected events such as natural disasters and replace professional soldiers in their duties if there is a major conflict.

The jobs done by reservists range from guard duty to playing in military bands and cyber security investigations.

Last October, Máxima visited the training centre for the military police force Marechaussee in Harderwijk and was pictured in full battle dress.