The Royal Family’s children will be subject to the National Service Policy, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children Archie and Lilibet are expected to be exempt.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled his first significant policy proposal of the general election campaign. He announced plans to reinstate National Service, requiring 18-year-olds to undertake one year of mandatory military service.
Rishi Sunak said, “National Service schemes in countries around the world show just how fulfilling it is for young people.” The proposed plans gave rise to the big question of whether the children of the royal family would be impacted by it.
“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,” Sunak said.
He added, “Only the Conservatives will take the bold action required to deliver a secure future for the next generation.”
Meanwhile, Senior Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan told Sky News, “Fundamentally the Prime Minister has been clear this would be for the vast majority of our young people, our 18-year-olds, this would be a mandatory part of both their continued education and journey to adulthood.”
The Conservative Party informed The Telegraph that there will be minimal exceptions to the service requirement. This implies that Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—will be anticipated to fulfill military service obligations once the program is put into effect.
In 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to step back from their roles as senior working members of the royal family and moved to the United States. Due to their relocation and the upbringing of their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in America, they will not be required to participate in the National Service program.