Princess Amalia, 22, is soaked by a bucket of water as she receives special promotion in army uniform

Princess Catharina-Amalia has been promoted in the army – and was congratulated with a very unusual tradition. 

The heir to the Dutch throne, 22, was soaked from head to toe with a bucket of cold water as she was officially promoted to the rank of sergeant this week in the port of Den Helder as part of her programme at the Defensity College. 

The ritual took place aboard the historic training ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, which flies the Norwegian flag, but is chartered by the Royal Netherlands Naval Academy as a training vessel for its students.

In a light-hearted image, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima's eldest daughter was seen holding back laughter and bracing herself before the bucket of cold water was poured over her in a traditional "sea baptism" – a longstanding naval tradition to celebrate promotions. 

© Ministerie van Defensie

The formal ceremony began with the traditional "All hands on deck" – a military call summoning the entire crew to the ship's main deck. 

With the sailors and officers standing in perfect discipline, the promotion order was read, officially conferring the princess's new rank, and she received her insignia.

Princess Amalia's time in the army

Princess Amalia has spent the past week sailing and practicing maritime maneuvers alongside first-year midshipmen, adapting to the demanding routine of a three-masted ship built in 1914.

The royal is part of the Defence College, a programme that lets university students combine their studies with part-time military work.  

The initiative aims to strengthen the bond between the armed forces and civilian youth, while equipping students with leadership, discipline, and teamwork skills.y

© Ministerie van Defensie

In January, Amalia completed her General Military Training (AMO) at the Ministry of Defence in Ermelo, meaning she can now wear a military uniform when working for the ministry.

She has previously completed exercises with the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and the Army, during which she flew a fighter jet and controlled a submarine.

Amalia graduated with a degree in Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE) at the University of Amsterdam last summer, before starting a bachelor's degree in Dutch Law.

Princess Amalia's recent public appearances

Last month, Princess Amalia joined her family for Prinsjesdag in The Hague, one of the biggest events in the Dutch royal calendar and where the King sets out government policy for the next parliamentary session. 

She looked glamorous in a leaf-green, figure-hugging dress paired with a matching hairband, her blonde locks flowing loose. 

© Getty

Alongside her younger sisters, Princess Alexia, 21, and Princess Ariane, 19, the future Queen gave a wave from the balcony.

In June, Princess Amalia joined her parents to welcome the German President for a state banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, pulling out all the stops in a fairytale blue gown and her mother's wedding tiara. 

Born on 7 December 2003, the royal will one day become the Netherlands' first queen regnant since her grandmother, Princess Beatrix, abdicated the throne in 2013.