Princess Catherine and Prince William’s children will be called up for National Service in accordance with a revived policy announced by the Prime Minister of the U.K. Several media outlets that have reported on the news have explained the details and how this will affect the young Wales royals.
In British royal news, Prince George, 10, Prince Louis, 6, and Princess Charlotte, 9, will now face a momentous call of duty for their country when they are older. During the general election campaign this past Sunday, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a major policy announcement that will impact the futures of the young royals.
He pledged to bring back National Service for 18-year-old British citizens. This now means that Prince George and his younger siblings will be expected to either spend a year in the military or spend a weekend each month volunteering in the community as part of Conservative plans.
The Tories (Rishi’s Conservative political party) have clarified that there are only a few exemptions involved in this policy. However, these limited exemptions don’t include barring royal children from participation.
Prince George, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Princess Catherine during the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in London, England on June 5, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
In addition to the Wales children, their relatives, namely, the kids of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will also be eligible for National Service once they turn 18. Joining them in the mix is Prince Edward’s 16-year-old son, James, Earl of Wessex.
James, Viscount Severn at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II in The Guildhall, London on June 3, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
As the eldest of the three, Prince George will be first in line to serve under the National Service in July 2031. Next will be his younger sister, Princess Charlotte, and then the youngest of the family, Prince Louis.
Rishi and his political party have also shared their plans to encourage teenagers to join the military program. As a bonus, those who join might get better job security when they look for work.
One way to make this favor happen is to create faster ways for people to get into graduate programs and government jobs. Another idea is to encourage employers to hire people who have served in the Armed Forces.
There is also potential for participants to make mention of their military experience on their UCAS apprenticeships and university applications.
In order to finalize the possible incentives, there will be a plea for a new Royal Commission to be set up, which will also confirm the few exemptions, if any. The plan thus far, is to have a total of 30,000 slots available for the military scheme each year.
Explaining the logic behind this revived policy, Rishi disclosed, “National Service schemes in countries around the world show just how fulfilling it is for young people. We want to make sure Britain’s future generations can get the most out of National Service, that’s why we’re looking into ways it can open doors they wouldn’t otherwise get in work or education.”
Rishi pointed out that this plan is similar to what many other countries do. For example, in South Korea, all healthy men have to serve in the armed forces for 18 to 21 months under a conscription system.
Israel provides another example of making military service compulsory for most men and women over the age of 18. Sweden has a similar policy set up which states that every citizen has to complete a military enlistment from the year they turn 18. Should they be selected from that enlistment, they then have to enroll for basic military training.
Although Tories’ National Service policy is technically mandatory, with teenagers expected to participate regardless of whether they have a job, are on a gap year, or enrolled in a college, there will be no criminal sanctions if individuals refuse to participate.
Home Secretary James Cleverly, who is in support of the proposal, explained that the overall plan is to create a sense of unity among people, in addition to providing opportunity.
“The point we’re making is a really important element of this is mixing with people outside your usual social circle […] parents particularly very, very keen for their children to be involved in this kind of stuff,” highlighted James.
However, not everyone is ecstatic about the plan as there have been objections from opposing parties like the Labour Party, who think the proposal will not work out. They argue that Tories will just end up costing the country a fortune more so than add any value.
Either way, should the Tories have their way, Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte will participate in the National Service.
Though it’ll be a first for the young royals, they will have the guidance of their doting dad, Prince William, who has an illustrious military portfolio having served full-time for seven and a half years and having received an esteemed new title from King Charles III.
Prince William during a visit to the Mercian Regiment in the South West, U.K. on November 23, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
King Charles III conferred the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his eldest son on May 13 at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop.
Before the handover took place, Buckingham Palace had announced that the King was set to confer the title in a message that read, “In August 2023, following His Majesty’s Accession, the King was pleased to announce military appointments including that the Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. The role was previously held by His Majesty the King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years.”
King Charles III and Prince William ahead of the Committal Service for the late Queen Elizabeth II in Windsor, England on September 19, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
News of the King bestowing the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to Prince William came amid the Duke of Sussex’s trip to the U.K. earlier this month, which raised eyebrows in public spheres.
What created further intrigue was the fact that though Prince William is stepping into the role for the first time, the role itself is not new as it used to belong to his younger brother, Prince Harry.
