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The Netherlands

Dutch royals hold first photo session of 2019

Members of the Dutch Royal Family have held their first of two photo sessions this year in the Alps in Lech, Austria. Over 50 photographers and reporters travelled to the ski resort for the annual event.

Unlike last year, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, Princess Amalia (The Princess of Orange), Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane were joined by their grandmother, Princess Beatrix; uncle, Prince Constantijn; aunt, Princess Laurentien; and cousins, Countesses Eloise and Leonore and Count Claus-Casimir.

Lech, 25 February 2019: The Royal Family poses during the annual winter sports photo session. From left to right Princess Alexia, Count Claus-Casimir, Prince Constantine, Princess Laurentien, Countess Leonore, Countess Eloise, Princess Beatrix, Princess Ariane, The Princess of Orange, Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander. © RVD, photo: Patrick van Katwijk

The family seemed to have fun posing together in the beautiful, sunny weather with the King and his only nephew deciding to photobomb the ladies posing for the pictures, resulting in laughter from all those involved.

The King and Queen take to the slopes. © RVD, photo: Patrick van Katwijk

Princess Beatrix, the former Queen of the Netherlands, was happy to pose with her grandchildren who were present. The King suggested that his mother take a photo with her grandchildren, but the Princess stuttered knowing that two of her granddaughters were missing. His Majesty then corrected himself saying, “The grandchildren present.”

Countess Luana and Countess Zaria, the children of the late Prince Friso and his wife, Princess Mabel, were not present as their schooling started back up in the UK after a short break. Lech does not hold the fondest memories for the family, as Prince Friso was buried under an avalanche in 2012 and succumbed to his injuries a year and a half later in August 2013.

The King and Queen with their three daughters, Amalia (15), Princess Ariane (11), and Princess Alexia (13). © RVD, photo: Patrick van Katwijk

The Dutch Royal Family pose twice a year – once in winter and another in the summer – for photographers in exchange for the press leaving the family alone when on their private time the rest of the year.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.