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European Royals

The babies of royal baby boom year come of age

A royal baby boom took place in 2005, and now all those royal babies are coming of age.

Who has marked or is marking their 18th birthday this year?

Prince Hashem of Jordan

The youngest child of King Abdullah and Queen Rania turned 18 on 30 January (his father’s birthday). He is now attending university in the United States. He’s second in line to the Jordanian throne after his older brother, Crown Prince Hussein.

Prince Hashem with his parents at his high school graduation. Photo: Copyright 2023, Royal Hashemite Court

Countess Luana of Orange-Nassau

Luana was born on 26 March as the elder child of Prince Friso and Princess Mabel of the Netherlands. Although she is the granddaughter of the former Queen Beatrix, she is not in the line of succession as her father gave up his succession rights to marry her mother. Her uncle is the current King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander.

Embed from Getty Images

Leah Behn

Leah Behn is the daughter of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and grandchild of King Harald. She was born on 8 April, and while she doesn’t hold a royal title, she is sixth in the Norwegian line of succession behind her uncle, two cousins, mother and older sister.

Princess Martha, Leah Behn
Leah with her mother in 2020. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen/ Royal Central

Princess Alexia of the Netherlands

The second child of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, Alexia was born on 26 June. She is second in line to the Dutch throne behind her older sister, Amalia, the Princess of Orange. She is currently taking a gap year before entering university.

© RVD – Frank Ruiter

Princess Georiga (Gina) of Liechtenstein

Born on 23 July, Gina is the second child of Prince Constantin and Princess Marie and the grandchild of Prince Hans Adam II. She is not in the line of succession to the Liechtenstein throne, as the country is the only remaining monarchy in Europe not to allow female succession rights.

Prince Emmanuel of Belgium

Emmanuel, born on 4 October, is King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians’ third child. He is third in the line of succession behind his older sister, Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant and older brother, Prince Gabriel. He’s currently finishing his secondary education.

Photo: Bas Bogaerts/Royal Palace

Prince Christian of Denmark

The future King of Denmark was born on 15 October to Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary. He is second in line to the Danish throne behind his father. Christian is finishing his secondary education at Ordrup Gymnasium.

Franne Voigt ©

Leonor, Princess of Asturias

The Princess of Asturias is the first child of King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain. The future Queen of Spain was born on 31 October and is currently undergoing military training to prepare her for her future role as monarch.

Casa de S.M. El Rey

Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway

Born on 3 December, Sverre Magnus is the youngest child of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. He is third in line to the throne behind his sister, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and their father, the Crown Prince. Sverre Magnus is in secondary school.

Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway
Photo by Oskar Aanmoen

Princes Nicolas and Aymeric of Belgium

The twin sons of Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium were born on 14 December as the last of the royal baby boom in 2005. Nicolas and Aymeric are 16th and 17th in the Belgian line of succession to succeed their uncle, King Philippe.

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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.