The princess also put on a uniform: Denmark's conscription revolution has begun
Mandatory service has been extended from 4 to 11 months, women have entered the mandatory draft system for the first time, and the army will increase the number of recruits by about 50% by 2033. Princess Isabella has also reported for duty, and soon conscripts will be sent to Greenland for the first time against the backdrop of the threat from Russia and tensions with Trump.
In brief: Security reform in Denmark: mandatory service has been extended from 4 to 11 months. For the first time in the country's history, women will be called up for mandatory service if there are not enough volunteers. For the first time, conscripts will be sent for operational activity in Greenland as early as this month. The move comes against the backdrop of tensions surrounding Greenland and the demands of US President Donald Trump. Princess Isabella was drafted into the Guard Hussar Regiment and waived her salary.
Starting Monday, one of the most significant security reforms in Denmark's history went into effect: mandatory service has been extended nearly threefold — from four months to 11 months — and for the first time, women will also be called up for mandatory service if there are not enough volunteers. The move comes against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, Europe's accelerated rearmament, and tensions surrounding Greenland following the demands of US President Donald Trump. About 1,600 recruits began their service this week as part of the first cycle of the new program, which includes five months of basic training and six months of operational service. By 2033, Denmark plans to increase the number of annual recruits from 5,000 to 7,500.
For the first time: women in mandatory service
In 2024, the Danish government decided to expand the conscription law to include women, as part of a broad security preparation in the face of the Russian threat and changes in the strategic environment in Europe. Like men, women will be summoned for screening and included in the pool of candidates for service. Denmark operates a recruitment model based on volunteers, where all young people fit for service enter the pool, and only if there are not enough volunteers to fill the quotas will recruits be selected by lottery. A similar model is used in Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
Trump and Greenland add pressure
One of the unusual components of the new program is the deployment of conscripts to Greenland later this month — for the first time in the country's history. More than 100 soldiers will be sent for a month of operational activity, replacing some of the regular forces. The move also has political significance, after US President Donald Trump repeatedly reiterated his desire to annex Greenland — a semi-autonomous Danish territory — claiming it is vital to US national security. The governments of Denmark and Greenland have unequivocally rejected the demand. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said at a NATO summit held last month in Ankara that her country is ready to defend every centimeter of the alliance's territory, including our territory.
The princess also reported to the induction center
As part of the reform, new service tracks will be established, including a dedicated drone department under the command of special forces — this is a lesson from the war in Ukraine, where UAVs have become one of the central components on the battlefield. One of the new recruits, 19-year-old Silas Noer, told the Reuters news agency that the longer service will allow soldiers to go deeper, experience military service fully, and get much more out of it.
The one who attracted special attention on the day of recruitment was Princess Isabella, the 19-year-old daughter of King Frederik of Denmark and Queen Mary, who also began her service in the Guard Hussar Regiment — the same regiment where her brother, Crown Prince Christian, served about a year and a half ago. Isabella arrived at the base in simple civilian clothes, carrying a large sports bag, and will become one of the first women to serve under the new recruitment program. Unlike most recruits, the princess waived the salary and living allowance that conscripts receive. According to reports in Denmark, a soldier in mandatory service receives about 9,000 Danish kroner per month, along with a tax-free daily allowance — a cumulative sum of about 190,000 kroner over the 11 months of service. Her brother also chose to waive the payment in the past. Isabella's decision is intended to send a message of equality and personal example, especially at a time when the country is expanding mandatory service and investing unprecedented resources in strengthening the army in the face of security challenges in Europe.
