King's Day Interview with NOS

Princess Claire Celebrates 36th Birthday

Princess Claire, wife of Prince Félix, celebrated her thirty-sixth birthday on March 21st. They have two children, Princess Amalia and Prince Liam.

Princess Amalia In RTL NIEUWS Interview

Whilst in Amersfoort for King's Day, Princess Amalia spoke briefly with RTL Nieuws and exchanges lighthearted banter with her parents, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, during the interview.

Princess Ariane Joins Sisters at Openbare Bloemcampschool

Princess Ariane, the youngest daughter of the Prince of Orange, started in group 1A at the Openbare Bloemcampschool in Wassenaar yesterday. She was accompanied by her parents and two sisters. Boots were the footwear of choice for the day. Princess Máxima wore a patterned dress with thigh high suede boots. Ariane teamed her sweater and skirt with laced brown boots whilst Amalia and Alexia dressed up their outfits with black boots.

Ariane turned 4 years old on April 10th.

Photo: © ANP

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

Beach Fun for Amalia, Alexia and Ariane

The Prince of Orange brought his family down for a photo session on the beach at the Meijendal Nature Reserve today. They carried the usual necessities for sand play such as a bucket and spade. Whilst posing for the media, Princess Amalia held a ball which featured Dora the Explorer. As the children played in the sand, Princess Ariane showed no trepidation of the ocean as she wandered near the rolling surf to fill her water pot. The three princesses were dressed identically in white eyelet tops and blue jeans as they patiently smiled for the cameras.
Below is some video footage of the photocall filmed by NOS.


Photos: Frank van Beek

First Day of School for Princess Amalia

At the behest of her parents, Princess Amalia started her first day of school with a minimum press contingent in attendance. The Openbare Bloemcampschool in Wassenaar welcomed the four-year-old royal pupil as she began her classes in group one today. With some help from the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, the little princess acclimated to her new surroundings. Befittingly, Amalia carried her school essentials in a Disney Princess toddler backpack.

Photo: ANP

Fun and Laughter at Princess Ariane's Christening

Princess Ariane Wilhelmina Máxima Ines was christened on Saturday, October 20th at the Kloosterkerke in the Hague. She was dressed in a christening gown that was worn by Princess Wilhelmina in 1880. Ariane was baptized with water from the River Jordan. Ds. J.A.D. van der Boon, minister to the Dorpskerk in Wassenaar, presided over the ceremony. Minister Van der Boon also baptized Princess Alexia at her christening ceremony on November 19, 2005.

In the solemn ceremony of Princess Ariane’s christening, the siblings and cousins of the little princess decided that entertaining the guests was much more fun. As they assembled in front of the christening font on pillows marked with an ‘A,’ the children displayed some antics that even elicited some laughter and smiles from Queen Beatrix. Princess Amalia along with her cousin Eloise covered their ears; Claus-Casimir threw a pillow and one child tugged at the robes of Minister Van der Boon. At one point, Princess Máxima tried to bring the children under control with a stern face, but failed at the attempt.

Approximately 850 guests were in attendance for the ceremony. Money collected from the service was imparted to the Orange Fund. Princess Ariane’s godparents are Valeria Delger, Inés Zorreguieta, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, Tijo Baron Collot d’Escury and Anton Friling. Below are some highlights from the christening ceremony including some encouraging words from Ariane's godparents.

Minister Van der Boon
“A special word of welcome to you, family, friends and guests of Ariane’s parents. Dutch will be the language of this service. An English translation has been provided, so that you can follow the words. But as you know, services are more than just words. They combine all kinds of elements: music, silence, hymns, prayers, lessons and blessings. Moreover, the rich symbolism of the christening service speaks for itself. So even where you cannot follow the language, you will understand the meaning.”

Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg
“May the graces of God be granted to Ariane who will be baptized on this solemn day and may that the Lord grant her a full-filled live. Lord, bless her parents to whom Ariane represents the most valuable of gifts.That this child may always remain in your eyes a gift of God and the fruit of an unceasingly growing love.”

Valeria Delger
“My dear Ariane, I wish you a life full of joy, health and peace. May you be blessed with the love of unconditional friends that will help you stay true to yourself throughout this wonderful journey.”

Inés Zorreguieta
“Dearest Ariane, I truly hope that, looking always for balance and flexibility, you can turn into who you intend to be, that you can recognize and learn from your success and errors, that you can at all times develop the eagerness of learning from good, bad, your own and from other´s things, and last but not least I hope that along this path you can come to realize that affection and love are the primary, the ultimate and the most essential things in life.”

“Sound the trumpet”
Music: Henry Purcell (1659-1696)
Text: Nahum Tate (1652-1715)
Sound the trumpet 'till around
You make the list'ning shores resound.
On the sprightly hautboy play,
All the instruments of joy
That skilful numbers can employ.
To celebrate the glories of this day.


“Praise my soul, the King of Heaven”
The English Hymnal

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
to his feet thy tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like me his praise should sing?
Alleluia, Alleluia,
praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for his grace and favour
to our fathers in distress;
praise him still the same as ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless:
Alleluia, Alleluia
glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like, he tends and spares us,
well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hands he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
widely as his mercy flows.
Angels help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow thou before him,
dwellers all in time and space:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
praise with us the God of grace.

Photos: ANP

Music, Debate and Art for Princess Máxima

As the Dutch Royal Family prepared for Ariane’s christening this month, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands opened an exhibition of paintings at the Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn on October 5th. The exhibits featured portraits of royal children from the 16th century to the present. Two paintings that brought a delighted smile to Máxima’s face were of her daughters, Princess Amalia and Princess Alexia.
The following Wednesday, Princess Máxima was present at the “Music Matters” event at Afrikaanderpark in Rotterdam. The initiative encourages the development of musical talent through introduction to musical instruments.

And, finally, on October 11th, Princess Máxima interacted with students at the Heineken Music Hall for FunX debates.

Photos: ANP

Princess Alexia of the Netherlands 2nd Birthday

Yesterday, The Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima, and their three daughters held a photo op in the Royal Stables in The Hague. Princess Alexia, the middle daughter of Willem and Máxima celebrated her second birthday as her parents fielded questions from the media.

Q: What did Princess Alexia get for her birthday?
A: A tricycle

Q: What are Princess Amalia's hobbies?
A: Amalia loves to draw, music, sing, dance, swim and read aloud.

Q: How will Princess Alexia celebrate her birthday?
A: Alexia celebrated her birthday on Saturday with friends and cousins.


Princess Ariane, the newest addition to the family, contentedly slept in her father's arms throughout the entire event.

Photos: RVD