Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange (Catharina-Amalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria; born 7 December 2003) is the heiress apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. She is the eldest child of Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
Contents
- 1 Early Life
- 1.1 Birth
- 1.2 Christening
- 1.3 Residence
- 1.4 Heir Apparent
- 2 Education
- 2.1 Security Threats
- 3 Public Life
- 3.1 Birthday Celebrations
- 3.2 18th Birthday
- 3.3 Activities
- 4 Personal Life
- 6 Honours
- 7 References
Early Life
Birth
Catharina-Amalia was born at 5:01 p.m on 7 December 2003 at HMC Bronovo in The Hague, Netherlands. She weighed 7 pounds 3 ounces and measured 20 1/2 inches long.[1] She was the first child of then-Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, and Princess Máxima. Upon the public announcement of her birth, a 101 gun salute was fired at four places in the Kingdom of the Netherlands: Den Helder and The Hague in the Netherlands, Willemstad in Curaçao, and Oranjestad in Aruba.[2]
A news conference was held at the hospital, where Willem-Alexander presented Catharina-Amalia to the public, saying, "Although many babies are born each day, we believe this is the most beautiful baby in the world."[3] Her grandmother, then-Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, along with her uncle Prince Johan-Friso and his fiancé Mabel Wisse Smit, also came to the hospital to visit Catharina-Amalia and her parents.
News Conference Princess Catharina-Amalia's Birth (2003)
At the time of her birth, Catharina-Amalia was styled Her Royal Highness with the titles Princess of the Netherlands and Princess of Orange-Nassau.
She has two younger sisters: Princess Alexia, born in 2005, and Princess Ariane, born in 2007.
Christening
- Main article: Christening of Princess Catherina-Amalia of the Netherlands
On 12 June 2004, Catharina-Amalia was christened by Reverend Carel ter Linden in the Great Church, also known as St. James' Church, in The Hague.[4] Her godparents were announced to be Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Herman Tjeenk Willink, Samantha Deane, Martín Zorreguieta, and Marc ter Haar.
Residence
Catharina-Amalia spent her childhood at Villa Eikenhorst on the De Horsten estate in Wassenaar. On 13 January 2019, she and her family moved to Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague.[5] The Palace had undergone renovations and hadn't been in use since Princess Beatrix left in 2014.
Heir Apparent
On 30 April 2013, Catharina-Amalia's paternal grandmother Queen Beatrix abdicated, and Willem-Alexander ascended to the throne. Catharina-Amalia, as the new heiress apparent, assumed the title of Princess of Orange, becoming the first to do so in her own right.
Education
Catharina-Amalia attended Bloemcamp primary school in Wassenaar from 10 December 2007 to 2015.[6]
On 24 August 2015, she started at the Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet in The Hague, a well-known Protestant gymnasium that other members of the royal family had attended. The royal house released a photo and video of Catharina-Amalia biking to her first day and the press was requested to give her privacy during her school years.[7][8] Throughout her education at Sorghvliet, she sat on the student council and acted as a student mediator. She also participated in the Model United Nations of the International School of The Hague and The Hague International Model United Nations conferences. In 2021, Catharina-Amalia graduated, passing her pre-university school-leaving examinations with distinction.[9][10]
On 11 June 2021, Catharina-Amalia announced that she would take a gap year and waive her right to 1.6 million euros a year in income until she was performing her royal duties. In a letter to the Dutch prime minister, she stated receiving the money would make her "...uncomfortable as long as I do not do anything for it in return, and while other students have a much tougher time of it, particularly in this period of coronavirus." She stated she would also repay the annual 300,000 euro income she had received during her time as a student.[11] This was the first time a member of the royal family had declined their tax-free salary and allowance. Catharina-Amalia spent her gap year at an internship with the Orange Fund and volunteered with various organizations.
On 5 September 2022, Catharina-Amalia began studying at the University of Amsterdam for a Bachelor of Science degree in Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics.[12]
Security Threats
Catharina-Amalia began living with friends in a student flat in Amsterdam. However, in October 2022 she was placed under heightened security and moved back to Huis ten Bosch Palace due to kidnapping and attack threats.[13] That same month, her mother Queen Máxima stated in a press conference, "It has huge consequences for her life. Means she doesn't live in Amsterdam and also that she can't really go outside. Those consequences are very difficult for her. No student life for her, like other students have."[14]
During her first official tour in February 2023, Catharina-Amalia addressed the threats for the first time, saying, "I'm still having a very hard time...I miss the normal life, the life of a student. Walking the streets, being able to go to a store."[15]
Public Life
While preparing for her future role as head of state, Catharina-Amalia participates in various visits and receptions as her university schedule permits.
Birthday Celebrations
Catharina-Amalia's birthdays are traditionally celebrated with a concert at the Kloosterkerk in The Hague, which is attended by ambassadors and members of the royal household and the Council of State of the Netherlands.
On her seventh birthday in 2010, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft once owned by her great-grandfather Prince Bernhard was named after Catharina-Amalia by Peter Hartman.[16] She was prevented from attending the naming ceremony due to school obligations.
18th Birthday
On the occasion of her 18th birthday on 7 December 2021, Catharina-Amalia automatically became a member of the Council of State and its Advisory Division. The next day, she was sworn into the Council and gave her first public speech, stating, "For a very long time, members of the Council of State, I will consider myself your disciple. I will consciously try to be a good student of my responsibility."[17] She was accompanied to the Council by her father and mother, who are also members. The Council is the highest advisory body of the Dutch government, and holds weekly meetings that Catharina-Amalia began attending after her gap year was complete.
2021 Catharina Amalia Council of State Speech
An authorized biography titled "Amalia" by Dutch entertainer Claudia de Breij was published in celebration of her 18th birthday.[18] In it, Catharina-Amalia discussed her school life, education plans, interests, and feelings about her future as Queen of the Netherlands. The book also included photos not seen before of Catharina-Amalia and her family. Similar books were published on the 18th birthday of her grandmother in 1956 and father in 1985.
Activities
2018
2020
2021
2022
2023
April
27th: Catharina-Amalia attended the annual Koningsdag celebrations in Groningen, Netherlands with her family.[19]
April
27th: Due to the coronavirus, Catharina-Amalia celebrated the annual Koningsdag virtually with her family at Huis ten Bosch Palace.[20]
April
December
27th: Catharina-Amalia attended the annual Koningsdag celebrations in Eindhoven, Netherlands with her family.[21] Due to the continuance of the coronavirus, extra precautions were taken, with members of the Royal House practicing social distancing and participating in online broadcasts.
8th: She gave her first public speech at the Council of State meeting in Kneuterdijk Palace, The Hague.[22]
2021 Catharina Amalia Council of State Speech
April
June
August
September
Catharina-Amalia visited Volkel Air Base and met with members of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. She flew along with a training flight of an F-16.[23]
27th: She attended the annual Koningsdag celebrations in Maastricht, Netherlands with her family.[24]
She met with members of the Royal Netherlands Army in Darp. She rode in a Leopard battle tank and also met soldiers assigned to the Cavalry Regiment bearing her name, the 'Regiment Hussars Princess Catharina Amalia'.[25]
17th: Along with her parents, she attended the 18th birthday celebrations of Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway.[26] This was her first public engagement outside of the Netherlands and the first time she wore a tiara.
She met with members of the Royal Netherlands Navy onboard submarine HNLMS Zeeleeuw. She was given a tour and explanation of life underwater, and was allowed to surface the submarine under supervision.[27]
14th: Along with her parents, she attended a dinner for the Council of State at Noordeinde Palace.[28]
20th: She attended the annual Prinsjesdag, where her father addressed a joint session of the States General of the Netherlands to outline government policy for the upcoming parliamentary session.[29]
January
April
May
June
27 January - 9 February: Along with her parents, Catharina-Amalia went on royal tour of the Dutch Caribbean. They visited Bonaire, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.[30] This was her first official royal tour.
19th: She attended the Koningsdag concert at Rotterdam Ahoy.[31]
27th: She attended the annual Koningsdag celebrations in Rotterdam, Netherlands with her family.[32]
5th: Along with her parents and grandmother, she attended a reception at Buckingham Palace prior to the coronation of Charles III and Queen Camilla.[33]
1st: Along with her parents, she attended the wedding of Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan, and Rajwa Al Saif.[34]
Personal Life
In her free time, Catharina-Amalia enjoys horse riding, tennis, and singing. She speaks Dutch, English, Spanish, and has also taken classes in the Mandarin Chinese.[35]
Titles, Styles, & Arms
- Titles & Styles
- 7 December 2003 - 30 April 2013: Her Royal Highness Princess of the Netherlands and Princess of Orange-Nassau
- 30 April 2013 - present: Her Royal Highness The Princess of Orange, Princess of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau
- Coat of Arms
The coat of arms is used by Catharina-Amalia and her sisters, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane.[36]
The first and fourth quarters are the coat of arms of the Netherlands. The second and third quarters are the coat of arms of the House of Orange-Nassau, consisting of a blue hunting horn with red opening, mouth and cord and white fittings. In the center is the coat of arms of the Zorreguieta family, with a red castle with door, two windows and three battlements.
- Banner
On 24 November 2021 by a royal decree, Willem-Alexander established a banner that Catharina-Amalia and her sisters would share as they individually reached the age of 18.[37]
The swallow-tailed flag with the royal standard colors has their paternal arms, the horn of Orange-Nassau, in the upper left and their maternal arms, the tower of Zorreguieta, in the lower left. The arms of the Netherlands lies in the middle within an orange circle.
Honours
National
- Orders
Netherlands- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (7 December 2021)[38]
- Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau (7 December 2021)[39]
References
- ↑ Dutch celebrate royal baby birth.
- ↑ Traditions.
- ↑ Dutch royals celebrate birth of new princess.
- ↑ Doop Prinses Catharina-Amalia in de Grote of St. Jacobskerk in Den Haag (Dutch).
- ↑ Koninklijk gezin verhuisd naar Paleis Huis ten Bosch (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses Catharina-Amalia gaat 10 december 2007 voor het eerst naar de basisschool (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses van Oranje naar het Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet in Den Haag (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses Amalia naar de middelbare school (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses Catharina-Amalia geslaagd voor eindexamen vwo (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses Amalia cum laude geslaagd voor eindexamen gymnasium (Dutch).
- ↑ Princess Amalia, heir to Dutch throne, waives right to yearly income.
- ↑ Studiekeuze Prinses van Oranje (Dutch).
- ↑ Dutch Crown Princess moves back into palace due to security concerns.
- ↑ Princess Catharina-Amalia, Future Queen of The Netherlands, Can No Longer Live in Student Housing Due to Threats Against Her.
- ↑ Amalia over bedreigingen en zware beveiliging: 'Ik heb het nog steeds heel moeilijk' (Dutch).
- ↑ Princess Amalia turns seven.
- ↑ Prinses van Oranje wordt binnengeleid in Raad van State (Dutch).
- ↑ Claudia de Breij schrijft boek voor achttiende verjaardag Prinses van Oranje (Dutch).
- ↑ Koningsdag 2018 in Groningen (Dutch).
- ↑ Koningsdag 2020 (Dutch).
- ↑ Koningsdag 2021 in Eindhoven (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses van Oranje wordt binnengeleid in Raad van State (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses van Oranje maakt kennis met drie defensieonderdelen (Dutch).
- ↑ Koningsdag 2022 in Maastricht (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses van Oranje maakt kennis met drie defensieonderdelen (Dutch).
- ↑ Koning, Koningin Máxima en Prinses van Oranje bij galadiner achttiende verjaardag Prinses Ingrid Alexandra van Noorwegen (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses van Oranje maakt kennis met drie defensieonderdelen (Dutch).
- ↑ Koninklijk Paar en Prinses van Oranje bieden leden Raad van State diner aan (Dutch).
- ↑ Informatie over Prinsjesdag 20 september 2022 (Dutch).
- ↑ Visit to Caribbean part of the Kingdom – programme.
- ↑ Koningsdagconcert in Rotterdam (Dutch).
- ↑ Koningsdag 2023 in Rotterdam (Dutch).
- ↑ Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
- ↑ Wedding of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan.
- ↑ European royals turning their hand to Mandarinh.
- ↑ Wapens van leden van het Koninklijk Huis (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses van Oranje 18 jaar: Onderscheidingsvlag, Ridder Grootkruis en Huisorde (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses van Oranje 18 jaar: Onderscheidingsvlag, Ridder Grootkruis en Huisorde (Dutch).
- ↑ Prinses van Oranje 18 jaar: Onderscheidingsvlag, Ridder Grootkruis en Huisorde (Dutch).
