Princess Mabel turns 50 years old today, and she will be spending the day with her family and friends, she told ANP. “I look back at 50 years of enormous joy, intense sadness, tough lessons and great successes, warm friendships and true love. At 25 years of intensive and passionate work for freedom, equality and peace. I hope to pass along some of my experiences and knowledge to the next generations.”
Princess Mabel, born Mabel Martine Los, studied economics and political science at the University of Amsterdam and graduated summa cum laude in 1993. In 2004, she married Prince Friso of the Netherlands, who did not ask permission for the marriage and subsequently lost place in the succession to the throne of the Netherlands. This was due to Mabel’s connection to a known drug lord. They had two daughters together, Luana (born 2005) and Zaria (born in 2006). Their children received the titles of Countess of Orange-Nassau and Jonkvrouw van Amsberg.
Princess Mabel was one of the co-founders of War Child Netherlands, and she was on the Trustee Board. From 2002 to 2008, she worked for the Open Society Institute. From 2008 until 2012, she was the first Chief Executive Officer of The Elders, a group convened by Nelson Mandela to tackle the world’s problems. Following Prince Friso’s accident in 2012, Princess Mabel resigned as CEO but remained involved as a member of The Elders. She is a member in her capacity as Advisory Committee Chair of Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage.
Prince Friso was in a minimally conscious state after being buried in an avalanche, and he died of complications on 12 August 2013.
Princess Mabel, or Mabel van Oranje as she prefers to be known professionally, has remained very active in her battle against child marriage and recently attended the World Aids Conference in Amsterdam, which The Duke of Sussex also attended. “I have several big plans to make the world structurally better and more honest in the coming years. There is much to be grateful for and to look forward to.”
