It’s been a busy year for the royal heirs of Europe. Let’s take a look back at the big headlines for the future queens of Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain; and the future king of Denmark, and take a peek at what’s ahead in 2026.
PRINCESS CATHARINA-AMALIA, FUTURE QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS
Princess Amalia graduated from the University of Amsterdam with her degree in Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics. In the summer, she announced that she would return to the university to read for a bachelor of law degree and would also begin training with the military reservists at the Defensity College when she’s not studying.
In her first overseas solo visit, Princess Amalia returned to Madrid to open a tulip garden she donated to the city in gratitude for housing her while she studied. In October, she joined her parents in Luxembourg as Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie were installed after Grand Duke Henri’s abdication. As Queen Máxima arrived in New York City for high-level UN meetings, she had an apprentice with her.
Of course, plans don’t always work out as expected. In June, the future queen of the Netherlands fell from her horse and required surgery to set her arm. This led to Princess Amalia missing out on a credit needed to graduate, which she completed in the fall, and delayed her military training.
We also raved about her tiara and jewellery choices this year, as she attended several state banquets alongside her parents.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2026: The future queen of the Netherlands will be busy with her studies and reservist training in 2026, though it’s expected she’ll continue to attend state events.
PRINCESS ELISABETH, FUTURE QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS
Princess Elisabeth began studying at Harvard in the fall of 2024, and the biggest headline for her this year was that she might not be able to return to the United States because of the presidential crackdown on Harvard’s international student admissions. This was resolved over the summer, and Elisabeth returned to Cambridge, Massachusetts in the fall.
On the royal front, this kept Elisabeth from much royal fanfare. She attended National Day celebrations in July and appeared at family events, like the annual Christmas concert. The major event on her calendar this year was her attendance at the installation of Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie in Luxembourg.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2026: Princess Elisabeth will complete her studies at Harvard next spring, and she’s been tapped to take over economic trade missions in the near future. Her aunt, Princess Astrid, had been undertaking these official visits on behalf of King Philippe in the interim, but will step down due to health concerns. Until Princess Elisabeth begins, Queen Mathilde will complete the missions.
PRINCESS INGRID ALEXANDRA, FUTURE QUEEN OF NORWAY
Princess Ingrid Alexandra began the year in the midst of her military training at Brigade Nord with the Engineer Battalion, serving as a gunner on a CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle.
The Norwegian Royal Palace had announced previously that instead of ending her training in January she would continue on until April 2025. At the end of her training, she received a bunad from Bardu and Målselv Municipality and said, “I’m glad that I belong here a little bit, having lived here since January last year. I’m really looking forward to wearing it.”
Later in the spring, it was announced that Ingrid Alexandra would begin her university studies at the University of Sydney in Australia.
In between her military training and her studies, Ingrid Alexandra began undertaking major royal engagements. She participated in two state visits to Norway—Iceland and France—and attended the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony with the rest of her family.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2026: Princess Ingrid Alexandra will continue her studies at the University of Sydney in 2026.
PRINCESS LEONOR, FUTURE QUEEN OF SPAIN
Having started at the Naval Military Academy in Marín in the fall of 2024, Princess Leonor began 2025 setting sail for practical training aboard the Juan Sebastián de Elcano with her fellow students.
Her parents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, tearfully bid her farewell from the docks in early January, and from there, Leonor spent the first half of the year sailing through to Brazil, Chile, Panama, Peru, Colombia and the Dominican Republic before landing in New York City. After the time at sea, Leonor returned to Spain for the final leg of training.
In July, Leonor completed her naval training, was granted the rank of Midshipman, 2nd Grade. Her third and final year of military training began in September, when Leonor arrived at the General Air and Space Academy in San Javier to train with the Spanish Air Force.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2026: Princess Leonor will finish her military training in the summer of 2026, and though the Royal Palace has not yet announced her plans afterwards, it’s highly likely that Princess Leonor will begin studying at university in the fall of 2026.
CROWN PRINCE CHRISTIAN, FUTURE KING OF DENMARK
Crown Prince Christian started the year with a royal first: he attended his first New Year’s levee alongside his parents. He then began his military training with the Hussar Guards in Slagelse in February, graduating and earning his badge in August. From there, the future king of Denmark jumped straight into lieutenancy training, which will continue into 2026. This fall, he flew a fighter jet over Denmark!
WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2026: Crown Prince Christian will complete lieutenancy training in 2026, followed by a further period of service where he’ll work as a platoon commander. Presumably, this will take up the majority of the year for Denmark’s future king, but he’ll also attend major events with the Danish Royal Family.
