Willem-Alexander's 40th Birthday Celebration

A sumptuous 40th birthday celebration is planned for The Prince of Orange. He will be hosting a reception, Saturday, September 1st at the Paleis het Loo in Apeldoorn.

Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands was born on April 27, 1967 at the University Hospital, Utrecht. He received the title Prince of Orange on April 30, 1980 when his mother, Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, ascended the throne upon abdication of her mother, Queen Juliana on her 71st birthday.

The prince married Máxima Zorreguieta on February 2, 2002. He resides with Máxima and their three daughters, Catharina-Amalia, Alexia and Ariane at the Villa Eikenhorst on the De Horsten estate in Wassenaar.

The prince holds many public appointments. He is a member of the International Olympic Committee, Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation and Aide-de-Camp Extraordinary to Her Majesty the Queen.

He completed his military service in the Royal Netherlands Navy. He also received instruction in the Royal Netherlands Army and Air Force at the Netherlands Defence College. He holds the ranks of Commodore in the Royal Netherlands Navy reserve, Brigadier General in the Royal Netherlands Army reserve and Commodore in the Royal Netherlands Air Force reserve.

Willem-Alexander is an accomplished pilot. He obtained his first pilot's license in 1985. He is licensed to fly private, military and commercial aircraft.

Lastly, the prince has a fervor for sports. Some of his favorite pastimes include tennis, golf, skiing, riding and sailing. Being a man of action, he also loves running, rock climbing, skating and diving.

Photo: Jeroen van der Meyde