The traditional summer photo session for the Dutch Royal Family took place yesterday afternoon at Villa Eikenhorst in Wassenaar.
King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, 14-year-old Princess Amalia (The Princess of Orange), Princess Alexia, 13, and Princess Ariane, 11, took part in the photocall outside their family home for the media. It is expected that this will be the final summer photo session at Villa Eikenhorst as the King and his family are believed to be moving to Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague.
The King and Queen both have admitted it is difficult to leave Villa Eikenhorst after so many years and family memories. His Majesty told the press yesterday, “We have had fifteen wonderful years here. It is emotional to leave.”
King Willem-Alexander also said that Amalia, Alexia and Ariane (nicknamed “The A-Team” by their parents) had a say in the design of their bedrooms at Huis ten Bosch Palace, but he added that their designs “had to be practical.”
The three princesses have grown accustomed to posing for the press in their bi-annual photo sessions as part of an agreement between the Royal Family and media; the family poses twice a year for photographers in exchange for the press leaving the family alone when on their private time the rest of the year. Amalia, Alexia and Ariane each posed separately before the media with Alexia more reserved. She was said to seem more nervous and kept checking with her parents as she was posing as opposed to Ariane who was more confident.
During the appearance before the press, Queen Máxima took the opportunity to thank the Dutch people for all the support she and her family have received after the tragic death of her younger sister, Inés in June.
The King, Queen and their daughters are now going on a tech-free holiday with the Queen saying the first few days without mobile phones and iPads will be difficult for all of them.