Earlier this year, King Willem-Alexander made a special agreement with his daughters’ bodyguards. This news was announced by His Majesty in a longer television interview broadcast on the Dutch television channel NPO1 in connection with the King’s 50th birthday in April.
When the King was in his teens and 20’s, he had entered into an agreement with his own security guards that they would not tell his parents everything he did at any time. He has come to the same deal on behalf of his daughters.
The Princess of Orange, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane. Photo: RVD, Jeroen van der Meyde
His Majesty said, “You must be able to cross the boundaries and make mistakes. That’s what I myself did, many times. It is about the safety of my children, and not that we always know what they are doing.”
For King Willem-Alexander, it has been essential to teach his three daughters about boundaries, but within the limits of reasonableness. He has been aware that one must make mistakes in order to develop as a human being.
His Majesty said, “You must be able to cross the boundaries and make mistakes as good as possible outside the public space. That is what I did, many times, at parties and other occasions. That is the right thing to do, as long as you do not do it in the public space.”
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and his wife, Her Majesty Queen Máxima. Photo: Simone D. McCourtie / World Bank
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and his wife, Her Majesty Queen Máxima have three daughters:
- Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, born 7 December 2003.
- Princess Alexia, born 26 June 2005.
- Princess Ariane, born 10 April 2007.
Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, is the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. She became heir when her father ascended the throne on 30 April 2013. She will assume a seat in the Advisory Division of the Council of State of the Netherlands upon reaching the age of majority at 18 and is expected to someday become Queen of the Netherlands.
They are such pretty Princesses!