A Job for Gabriel in the Military?

22 May 2026

Belgian federal government has tody approved a change of law, permitting members of the royal family to hold a paid job in the Belgian military. The bill was proposed by Minister of Defense Theo Francken. 

Prince Gabriel will graduate from the Royal Military Academy with a masters in Social and Military Sciences at the end of June. 

So will his first job be one in the military? Could be. Gabriel, now 22, didn't just enter the military academy because his position as a 'spare' demands this, he has been fully invested in both the physical and academic side of this very disciplined universitary schooling. He also did a semester at the prestigious Saint-Cyr academy at Coëtquidan, France. 

In the course of the summer we will no doubt hear which professional direction Gabriel wants to take.  

In 2014 a change was made. Whereas previously all of the King's children were entitled to a dotation, i.e. a "salary" paid by the state, this is now only reserved for the royal couple, the widow of a deceased (former) king and the heir. They use the money to cover their expenses, including paying their staff. 

During Albert II's reign, Philippe, Astrid and Laurent all received a dotation for life, only the amounts varied.

In Philippe's case his 3 youngest children won't receive a dotation. They will no doubt work for their money, like everybody does these days (even the ones who don't have to!). Princess Elisabeth has been entitled to a dotation from the day she turned 18. She has however declined it as long as she's studying which had the benefit she could concentrate on her international academic career without having to set up a House of the Duchess of Brabant with advisors, staff and actual activities at the same time.