Prince Willem Takes His Girls to See Sinterklaas in Scheveningen

Over the weekend, Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands took their girls to see the arrival of Sinterklaas in Scheveningen. Alexia and Ariane donned bright caps with feathers whilst Amalia was drapped in a red cape. Last year, the little princesses viewed the Sinterklaas parade in Wassenaar.Photos: Albert den Iseger and Hendrik Jan van Beek

New Portraits of Prince Willem-Alexander and Family

The Dutch Royal House recently released some new photographs of Prince Willem-Alexander, Princess Máxima and their three daughters. The eldest daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia, will be turning five on December 7th.
Photos: © RVD, Robin Utrecht

New Portraits from The Dutch Royal House

On February 1st, the Dutch Royal Family gathered en masse to jointly celebrate the birthdays of Queen Beatrix and Princess Margriet of the Netherlands at the Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam. That same day, the Dutch royals posed for some portraits with photographer Frank van Beek.

Below are the portraits of Queen Beatrix, Prince Willem-Alexander, Princess Máxima, Prince Constantijn, Princess Laurentien, Princess Margriet, Prince Maurits, Princess Marilène, Prince Bernhard, Princess Annette and the husband of Princess Margriet, prof. mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven.
Photos: Frank van Beek

Prince Willem-Alexander and Family Winners of Royal Photocall Poll

Recently, the crown princes of Europe and their families have been involved with a flurry of photocalls to satiate the interest of royal watchers and the media. Yesterday, Hola.com announced the winners of a royal poll in which readers voted for their favourite royal photographs from these photo opportunities. Prince Willem-Alexander and his family took first place with 7,820 votes. Prince Felipe and his family came in second with 5,649 votes and rounding out the top three was Crown Prince Philippe and his family with 2,216 votes. Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Prince Haakon and their families placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

70th Birthday for Queen Beatrix

Tomorrow, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands celebrates her 70th birthday. Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, Princess of Orange-Nassau and Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld was born at Soestdijk Palace in Baarn on January 31, 1938.

Princess Beatrix married Claus von Amsberg on March 10, 1966. Upon his marriage, Claus received the title Prince of the Netherlands. Prince Claus passed away on October 6, 2002. She and Claus were married thirty-six years.

Princess Beatrix gave birth to three sons: Prince Willem-Alexander, Prince Johan Friso and Prince Constantijn. Her children have blessed her with eight grandchildren: Eloise, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Claus-Casimir, Emma Luana, Princess Alexia, Leonore, Joanna Zaria and Princess Ariane.

Beatrix became Queen of the Netherlands on April 30, 1980 when Queen Juliana abdicated on her 71st birthday.

Queen Beatrix favourite pastimes are sculpting, riding and sailing. She plays tennis and skis.

For those wishing to extend birthday salutations to Queen Beatrix (sorry, it is in Dutch only), visit the Dutch Royal House website.

Photos: RVD

The Prince of Orange Snaps Amalia, Alexia and Ariane

Inasmuch as the media has respectfully given space to the Prince of Orange and his family after the photo session in Buenos Aires on December 22nd, Prince Willem-Alexander released today some new family photos that were snapped by him at the Villa la Angostura, Argentina on January 5th. The prince and princess are grateful to the Argentinian media for leaving the family alone even when Princess Ariane was taken to a hospital in Bariloche on December 31st.





Photos: The Prince of Orange

Princess Ariane Taken to Hospital during Christmas Holiday

Back in June, Princess Ariane of the Netherlands was hospitalized several days at the Leiden University Medical Center contending with a serious viral infection. The episode caused quite an alarm with her parents; therefore when the little princess appeared unwell while the family vacationed in Argentina over the Christmas holiday, Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima took Ariane to a hospital as a precautionary measure. Their fears were allayed when the phyisicians verified that Ariane suffered from a common illness.

Honorary President Appointment for Naruhito of Japan

The United Nations Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation announced the honorary president appointment in a press release yesterday. Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan was appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. The prince will serve his term until 2010.

The Prince of Orange is the chairman of the advisory board and he has proven to be a capable and assiduous member striving to bring to the forefront the global plight for those lacking adequate sanitation and drinking water capabilities. For Prince Willem-Alexander, having another crown prince on board will strengthen the influence of the advisory committee.

Princess Máxima Books

Today, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands celebrated her 36th birthday. Earlier in the year, several books were released to signify her 5th wedding anniversary to Prince Willem-Alexander.



"Máxima, vijf jaar prinses der Nederlanden"
by Alex de Vries and Menzo Willems



"het aanzien van Máxima 5 jaar prinses"
by Fred J. Lammers and Mariette Middelbeek


"Máxima"
by Marc van der Linden