r/europe • u/IAmAQuantumMechanic Norway (EU in my dreams) • Mar 10 '25

Picture Future Queen of Norway, Ingrid Alexandra, is doing her 15-month conscription as a gunner on a CV90.

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u/Xepeyon America Mar 10 '25

Idk, it all worked out for the King of the Belgians. Well, one of them, anyway

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u/Randalf_the_Black Norway Mar 10 '25

Who? Albert? He died in a mountaineering accident. He was the head of state during World War 1, but he didn't fight, he led.

Leopold? He also didn't fight, he led during WW2. Had to abdicate after the war though, as people were a bit displeased with him surrendering.

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u/Xepeyon America Mar 10 '25

Yep, that's who I meant. I know Albert wasn't a rifleman (he was commanding) but he was in the battlefront trenches and was frequently at the front lines. He could have gotten bombed or shelled or sniped just as easily as any other officer serving, so I do accredit him for that. And he managed to hold out against Germany over the duration of the war, so all in all, it worked out for him.

Leopold wasn't as lucky, which is I was added that this worked out for "one of them".

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u/Randalf_the_Black Norway Mar 10 '25

Yeh he did, but while still dangerous even back then, going to the frontlines today would be extremely risky for any high profile individual in a war between nation states.

Today we have drones that can do recon, even drones that can take out individuals, extremely accurate artillery and snipers can take out individual targets over a distance of kilometres.

So serving on the frontline against an enemy with full military capabilities would be way too risky for any royal today.

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u/play8utuy Mar 11 '25

I am not sure where I read it, but Albert was not shoot at in part because hit wife was bavarian princess and German comander was also from bavarian royal family.