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The Netherlands

‘The A-Team’ in the spotlight at Dutch royal family’s summer photo call

The Dutch Royal Family posed for their annual summer photos at Huis ten Bosch Palace Friday, and it was the royal sisters who stole the show.

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane gathered for a series of photos—and their pet dog, Mambo, joined for a handful of snaps as well.

After the photo call, the royals took part in short interviews. Princess Alexia, currently finishing up a gap year between high school and university, revealed that she hasn’t yet chosen where to study, though she has applied to several schools.

“I think I am certainly not the only one in the Netherlands, of my age, who is very concerned about this choice,” she said. She revealed that where she ultimately winds up “really depends on personal reasons.”

Last week there was speculation that the royal would study at the University of Groningen after a leak showed her enrolment. But the King told reporters on Friday that even the family doesn’t know where Princess Alexia plans to study.

“We would really like to know it ourselves,” he joked.

Princess Catharina-Amalia, meanwhile, revealed that the demonstrations in Amsterdam had caused considerable stress to university students about to sit for their exams.

The future queen diplomatically said: “I think it’s really valuable that we live in a country where everyone, not just students, can speak out about things they worry about. But I don’t think I’m the only student who thinks that’s something more has caused stress for the exams.”

Princess Ariane, the youngest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, is studying at United World College Adriatic in Italy. She completed her first year shortly before the photo call.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.