Misplaced Pages

Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 11:45, 30 July 2003 edit66.108.247.197 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit Latest revision as of 02:11, 23 December 2024 edit undoAlmeidaBenevides (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,437 edits ForeignTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|King of the Netherlands since 2013}}
]
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=October 2024}}
'''Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand''', born ], ], in ], Prince of the Netherlands and Prince of Orange.
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024|cs1-dates=y}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Willem-Alexander
| image = Zijne_Majesteit_Koning_Willem-Alexander_met_koningsmantel_april_2013_(cropped).jpeg
| caption = Formal portrait, 2013
| succession = ]
| reign = {{start date text|30 April 2013}}{{thinsp|–}}present
| coronation = 30 April 2013
| cor-type = ]
| predecessor = ]
| successor = ]
| suc-type = ]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|04|27|df=y}}
| birth_place = ], Netherlands
| death_date =
| death_place =
| spouse = {{marriage|]|2002-02-02}}
| issue = {{ubl | ] | ] | ]}}
| issue-link =
| full name = Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand
| house = {{ubl|] (official)|] (agnatic)}}
| father = ]
| mother = ]
| religion = ]
| signature = Handtekening Willem-Alexander.svg
| module = {{Infobox military person | embed=yes
| branch = {{plainlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]}}
| serviceyears = 1985–2013
| rank = {{plainlist|
* ] (Navy)
* ] (Army and Marechaussee)
* ] (Air Force)}}
}}
}}
{{Dutch Royal Family}}
'''Willem-Alexander''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈʋɪləm aːlɛkˈsɑndər|lang}}; Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand; born 27 April 1967) is ], reigning since 30 April 2013.


Willem-Alexander was born in ] during the reign of his maternal grandmother, ], as the eldest child of ] and ]. He became ] as ] upon his mother's accession on 30 April 1980. He went to public primary and secondary schools in the Netherlands, and an international sixth-form college in ]. He served in the ], and studied history at ]. He married ] in 2002, and they have three daughters: ], ], and ]. Willem-Alexander succeeded his mother as monarch upon her ] on 30 April 2013. He is the first man to hold this position since the death of his great-great-grandfather ] in 1890, as the intervening three monarchs—his great-grandmother ], his grandmother Juliana and his mother Beatrix—had all been women.
The eldest son of ] and ], he is the first male heir to the Dutch throne in 116 years.


Willem-Alexander is interested in sports and international ] issues. Until his accession to the throne, he was a member of the ] (1998–2013),{{refn|{{Cite magazine |date=2013-01-29 |title=Dutch Crown Prince quits IOC in preparation to become king |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-olympics/news/20130129/dutch-crown-prince-willem-alexander-ioc.ap/ |url-status=dead |magazine=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213032548/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-olympics/news/20130129/dutch-crown-prince-willem-alexander-ioc.ap/ |archive-date=2013-12-13 |access-date=2013-04-19}}}} chairman of the Advisory Committee on Water to the Dutch ] (2004–2013),{{refn|{{Cite news |date=2013-04-16 |title=Prins Willem-Alexander neemt afscheid van Adviescommissie Water |language=nl |trans-title=Prince Willem-Alexander says goodbye to the Water Advisory Committee |work=] |url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/5751/Koninginnedag/article/detail/3426860/2013/04/16/Prins-Willem-Alexander-neemt-afscheid-van-Adviescommissie-Water.dhtml |url-status=dead |access-date=2013-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506222523/http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/5751/Koninginnedag/article/detail/3426860/2013/04/16/Prins-Willem-Alexander-neemt-afscheid-van-Adviescommissie-Water.dhtml |archive-date=2013-05-06}}}} and chairman of the ]' ] (2006–2013).{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Who We Are |url=http://www.unsgab.org/index.php?menu=219 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519214529/http://www.unsgab.org/index.php?menu=219 |archive-date=2013-05-19 |access-date=2013-04-19 |website=] Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation}}}}{{refn|{{Cite news |date=2013-03-21 |title=Willem-Alexander neemt afscheid als 'waterprins' |language=nl |trans-title=Willem-Alexander says goodbye as 'water prince' |work=] |url=http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4492/Nederland/article/detail/3413108/2013/03/21/Willem-Alexander-neemt-afscheid-als-waterprins.dhtml |url-access=subscription |access-date=2013-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517213904/http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4492/Nederland/article/detail/3413108/2013/03/21/Willem-Alexander-neemt-afscheid-als-waterprins.dhtml |archive-date=2013-05-17}}}}
Prince Willem-Alexander was educated at a Protestant grammar school in ], where he mixed with children from all social backgrounds. He has been groomed in state affairs to one day assume the Dutch throne. He earned a degree in history from Leiden University and is an expert in international ] issues. Prince Willem-Alexander is both an honorary member of the World Commission on Water for the 21st Century and patron of the Global Water Partnership, a body established by the ], the ] and the Swedish Ministry of Development.


==Early life and education==
The prince is a member of the Raad van State, the highest council to the Dutch government that is chaired by his mother. As part of his Royal duties, he holds commissions in the Dutch Army, Navy and Air Force and was a patron of the Dutch Olympic Games Committee until 1998 when he was made a member of the ] (IOC). On behalf of the Crown, the Prince carries out various representative duties.
] in 1982]]
Willem-Alexander was born on 27 April 1967 at the Utrecht University Hospital (now known as the ]) in ]. He is the first child of ] (later Queen) and ],{{refn|name="biography"|{{Cite web |date=May 2009 |title=The Prince of Orange |url=http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/english/dsc?c=getobject&s=obj&objectid=18194&ext=document.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509221432/http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/english/dsc?c=getobject&s=obj&objectid=18194&ext=document.pdf |archive-date=2009-05-09 |access-date=2009-07-19 |website=] |language=en-GB}}}} and the first grandchild of ] and ]. He was the first male Dutch royal baby since the birth of ] in 1851, and the first immediate male heir since Alexander's death in 1884.


From birth, Willem-Alexander has held the titles Prince of the Netherlands ({{langx|nl|Prins der Nederlanden}}), Prince of ], and ] of ].{{r|biography}} He was baptised as a member of the ]{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Doop Willem-Alexander |trans-title=Baptism of Willem-Alexander |url=http://koningshuis.nos.nl/video/bekijk/id/tcm:5-437878/title/doop-willem-alexander |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331081933/http://koningshuis.nos.nl/video/bekijk/id/tcm:5-437878/title/doop-willem-alexander |archive-date=2009-03-31 |access-date=2009-12-13 |website=] |language=nl}}}} on 2 September 1967{{refn|name="40questions"|{{Cite web |title=40 meest gestelde vragen |trans-title=40 most frequently asked questions |url=http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/Speciale_webpagina_s/40ste_verjaardag_Prins_van_Oranje_27_april_2007/40_veelgestelde_vragen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110604040729/http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/Speciale_webpagina_s/40ste_verjaardag_Prins_van_Oranje_27_april_2007/40_veelgestelde_vragen |archive-date=2011-06-04 |access-date=2009-12-13 |website=] |language=nl}}}} in Saint Jacob's Church in ].{{refn|{{Cite web |date=2009-04-27 |title=Doopplechtigheid Prins Willem-Alexander in Sint Jacobskerk |trans-title=Baptism ceremony of Prince Willem-Alexander in St. Jacob Church: 3 parts |url=http://blogs.rnw.nl/haa/b232960-doopplechtigheid-prins-willem-alexander-in-sint-jacobskerk-3-delen-1967-09-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727112342/http://blogs.rnw.nl/haa/b232960-doopplechtigheid-prins-willem-alexander-in-sint-jacobskerk-3-delen-1967-09-02 |archive-date=2011-07-27 |access-date=2009-12-13 |website=] |language=nl}}}} His godparents are his maternal grandfather ], his paternal grandmother ], ], former Prime Minister ], ] Renée ], and ].{{r|40questions}}
He is an avid pilot and sportsman. In 1989, the Prince flew as a volunteer for the "African Medical Research and Education Foundation" (AMREF) in ] and in 1991 he spent a month flying for the Kenya Wildlife Service. Using the name "Van Buren," one of the other, lesser-known surnames of the House of Oranje-Nassau, he has participated in the ] marathon where his aunt, ], and several of the Royal family cousins live. In the Netherlands, he was a participant in the Frisian Eleven Cities skating marathon.


He had two younger brothers: ] (1968–2013) and ] (b. 1969). He lived with his family at the castle ] in the hamlet ] near ] from his birth until 1981, when they moved to the larger palace ] in The Hague. His mother, Beatrix, became Queen of the Netherlands in 1980, after his grandmother Juliana abdicated. He then received the title of ] as ] to the throne of the ] at the age of 13.{{r|biography}}
On ], ], he married ] (born 1971), an Argentine former investment banker of Basque, Spanish, and Italian ancestry, upholding the tradition in the ] of choosing a controversial partner. Like all Dutch monarchs, Prince Willem-Alexander is a member of the ] Dutch Reformed church but, unlike the highly controversial 1964 marriage to a Roman Catholic by his aunt, the ], religion was not an issue in the Prince's marriage but the matter of Maxima's father was. Maxima is the daughter of Jorge Horacio Zorreguieta Stefanini, a former member of ] brutal military dictatorship that ruled Argentina during the 1970s, and his second wife, Maria del Carmen Cerruti Carricart. As a result of the controversy, the bride's father did not attend the Dutch royal wedding.


Willem-Alexander attended local state primary school Nieuwe Baarnse Elementary School in ] from 1973 to 1979. He went to two different state secondary schools (the Baarns Lyceum in Baarn from 1979 to 1981 and the Eerste Vrijzinnig Christelijk Lyceum in ] from 1981 to 1983) and the private sixth-form college ] in ] (1983 to 1985), where he received his ].{{r|biography}}{{refn|name="parlement"|{{Cite web |title=Z.M. koning Willem-Alexander, koning der Nederlanden, prins van Oranje-Nassau |trans-title=H.M. King Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau |url=http://www.parlement.com/id/vg09llxsqztx/willem_alexander_alexander_willem |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506005704/https://www.parlement.com/id/vg09llxsqztx/willem_alexander_alexander_willem |archive-date=2021-05-06 |access-date=2013-04-05 |website=Parlement |language=nl}}}}
On ], ], the '']'' (National Bureau for Government Information) announced that Princess Máxima is pregnant. The birth of the first child of the pair is expected for January 2004. This will be the second grandchild for ].

After his military service from 1985 to 1987, Willem-Alexander studied history at ] from 1987 onwards and received his ] degree ({{lang|la|]}}) in 1993.{{refn|{{Cite web |last=Hoff |first=Ruud |title=Leiden, 2 juli 1993 |trans-title=Leiden, 2 July 1993 |url=http://www.anp-archief.nl/page/50475/nl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212101152/http://www.anp-archief.nl/page/50475/nl |archive-date=2013-12-12 |access-date=2017-06-15 |website=ANP Historisch Archief Community}}}}{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Dutch royals in Leiden |url=https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2016/04/dutch-royal-family-in-leiden |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517161231/https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2016/04/dutch-royal-family-in-leiden |archive-date=2021-05-17 |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=]|date=26 April 2019 }}}} His final thesis was on the Dutch response to France's ] under President ] to leave ]'s integrated command structure.{{r|biography}}

Willem-Alexander speaks English, Spanish, French, and German (his father's native language) in addition to his native Dutch.{{refn|{{Cite web |date=2009-11-05 |title=Prins Willem-Alexander blundert tijdens staatsbezoek Mexico |trans-title=Prince Willem-Alexander blunders during state visit to Mexico |url=http://925.nl/archief/2009/11/05/prins-willem-alexander-blundert-tijdens-staatsbezoek-mexico |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210222404/http://925.nl/archief/2009/11/05/prins-willem-alexander-blundert-tijdens-staatsbezoek-mexico |archive-date=2013-12-10 |access-date=2013-05-03 |website=925}}}}

==Military training and career==
] in 1986]]
Between secondary school and his university education, Willem-Alexander performed military service in the ] from August 1985 until January 1987. He received his training at the ] and in the frigates ] and ], where he was an ]. In 1988 he received additional training in the ship ] and became a ] ({{lang|nl|wachtofficier}}).{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Military career |url=http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/english/Who_s_who/The_Prince_of_Orange/Military_career |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124230522/http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/english/Who_s_who/The_Prince_of_Orange/Military_career |archive-date=2009-11-24 |access-date=2009-12-17 |website=] |language=en-GB}}}}

As a ] for the Royal Netherlands Navy, Willem-Alexander was promoted to ] in 1995, ] in 1997, ] in 2001, and ] in 2005. As a reservist for the ], he was made a ] (]) in 1995, and was promoted to ] in 1997, ] in 2001, and ] in 2005. As a reservist for the ], he was made ] in 1995 and promoted to ] in 2005. As a reservist for the ], he was made ] in 2005.{{r|parlement}}

Before his investiture as king in 2013, Willem-Alexander was honourably discharged from the armed forces. The government declared that the ] cannot be a serving member of the armed forces, since the government itself holds supreme command over the armed forces. As king, Willem-Alexander may choose to wear a military uniform with ], but not with his former rank insignia.{{refn|{{Cite press release |title=King will retain close relationship with armed forces |date=2013-04-11 |url=http://www.defensie.nl/english/latest/news/2013/04/11/royal-insignia-struck |language=en-GB |access-date=2013-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217191208/http://www.defensie.nl/english/latest/news/2013/04/11/royal-insignia-struck |archive-date=2015-02-17 |website=]}}}}

==Activities and social interests==
], ] and ] at the ] in 2009.]]

Since 1985, when he became 18 years old, Willem-Alexander has been a member of the ]. This is the highest council of the ] and is chaired by the head of state (then Queen Beatrix).{{refn|{{Cite web |title=The Dutch Council of State |url=https://www.raadvanstate.nl/talen/artikel/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314042740/https://www.raadvanstate.nl/talen/artikel/ |archive-date=2022-03-14 |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=Raad van State |language=en-GB}}}}

Willem-Alexander is interested in ] and sports issues. He was an honorary member of the World Commission on Water for the 21st century and patron of the Global Water Partnership, a body established by the ], the UN, and the Swedish Ministry of Development. He was appointed as the Chairperson of the United Nations Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation on 12 December 2006.{{refn|{{Cite web |title=About UNSGAB |url=http://www.unsgab.org/chair.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730084012/http://www.unsgab.org/chair.htm |archive-date=2012-07-30 |access-date=2013-01-28 |website=] Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation |language=en-US}}}}

On 10 October 2010, Willem-Alexander and Máxima went to the ]' capital, ], to attend and represent ], at the ].

He was a patron of the Dutch Olympic Games Committee until 1998 when he was made a member of the ] (IOC). After becoming King, he relinquished his membership and received the Gold ] at the ].{{refn|name="OlympicOrder"|{{Cite web |date=2013-09-08 |title=Dutch King given Olympic gold order |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/9650368/dutch-king-willem-alexander-awarded-ioc-highest-honor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127111528/https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/9650368/dutch-king-willem-alexander-awarded-ioc-highest-honor |archive-date=2020-11-27 |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=] |language=en-US}}}} To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ] held in Amsterdam, he had expressed support to bid for the ].{{refn|{{Cite web |date=2008-08-14 |title=Netherlands May Bid For 2028 Games |url=https://gamesbids.com/eng/summer-olympic-bids/future-summer-bids/netherlands-may-bid-for-2028-games/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804142021/https://gamesbids.com/eng/summer-olympic-bids/future-summer-bids/netherlands-may-bid-for-2028-games/ |archive-date=2020-08-04 |website=Gamesbids.com |language=en-US}}}}

He was a member of the supervisory board of {{lang|nl|]|italic=no}} (the Dutch central bank), a member of the Advisory Council of ECP (the information society forum for government, business and civil society), patron of Veterans' Day and held several other patronages and posts.{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Preparing for the role of monarch |url=https://www.royal-house.nl/members-royal-house/king-willem-alexander/preparing-for-the-role-of-monarch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231221333/https://www.royal-house.nl/members-royal-house/king-willem-alexander/preparing-for-the-role-of-monarch |archive-date=2021-12-31 |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=] |date=15 January 2015 |language=en-GB}}}}

== Reign ==
{{See also|List of overseas trips made by Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands}}
], Austrian President ] and Israeli President ] on 10 March 2024]]
On 28 January 2013, Beatrix announced her intention to abdicate. On the morning of 30 April 2013 ({{lang|nl|]}}), Beatrix signed the instrument of abdication at the {{lang|nl|Moseszaal}} (Moses Hall) at the ]. Later that afternoon, Willem-Alexander was ] as king before a joint session of the ] in a ceremony held at the ].

As king, Willem-Alexander has weekly meetings with the prime minister and speaks regularly with ministers and state secretaries. He also signs all new Acts of Parliament and royal decrees. He represents the kingdom at home and abroad. At the State Opening of Parliament, he delivers the Speech from the Throne, which announces the plans of the government for the parliamentary year. The Constitution requires that the king appoint, dismiss and swear in all government ministers and state secretaries. As king, he is also the President of the ], an advisory body that reviews proposed legislation. In modern practice, the monarch seldom chairs council meetings.{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Position and role as head of state |url=https://www.royal-house.nl/members-royal-house/king-willem-alexander/position-and-role-as-head-of-state |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203050223/https://www.royal-house.nl/members-royal-house/king-willem-alexander/position-and-role-as-head-of-state |archive-date=2022-02-03 |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=] |date=15 January 2015 |language=en-GB}}}}

At his accession at age 46, he was Europe's youngest monarch. He is currently third-youngest after ] of Denmark and ] of Spain. He is also the first male monarch of the Netherlands since the death of his great-great-grandfather ] in 1890. Willem-Alexander was one of four new sovereign monarchs in 2013 along with ], Emir ] of Qatar, and King ] of Belgium.

==Other activities==
], here supporting ]]]

Willem-Alexander is an avid pilot and has said that if he had not been a royal, he would have liked to be an airline pilot so he could fly internationally on large-sized aircraft such as the ].{{refn|name=":0"|{{Cite news |date=2017-05-17 |title=Dutch King Willem-Alexander reveals secret flights as first officer |language=en-GB |work=] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39946532 |url-status=live |access-date=2017-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517192222/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39946532 |archive-date=2017-05-17}}}} During the reign of his mother, he regularly flew the Dutch royal aircraft on trips.{{refn|{{Cite news |date=2011 |title=FAQ – Dutch royalty |language=en-GB |work=] |url=http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/faq-dutch-royalty |url-status=dead |access-date=2013-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127104421/http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/faq-dutch-royalty |archive-date=2013-01-27}}}} However, in May 2017, Willem-Alexander revealed that he had served as a first officer on ] flights for 21 years, flying ]'s ]s twice a month, even after his accession to the throne. Following KLM's phased retirement of the Fokker 70, he began training to fly ]s. Willem-Alexander was rarely recognized while in the KLM uniform and wearing the KLM cap, though a few passengers recognized his voice, even though he never gave his name and only welcomed passengers on behalf of the captain and crew.{{r|:0}}{{refn|{{Cite web |last=Sephton |first=Connor |date=2017-05-17 |title=Dutch king reveals double life as an airline pilot for KLM |url=http://news.sky.com/story/dutch-king-reveals-double-life-as-an-airline-pilot-for-klm-10881947 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518003140/http://news.sky.com/story/dutch-king-reveals-double-life-as-an-airline-pilot-for-klm-10881947 |archive-date=2017-05-18 |access-date=2017-05-17 |website=]}}}}

Using the name "W. A. ]", one of the least-known titles of the ], he participated in the 1986 Frisian ], a {{convert|200|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} distance ] tour.{{refn|{{Cite web |last=Teunissen |first=Bas |date=2012-10-04 |title=FAQ: eleven facts about the Eleven Cities Race |url=http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/faq-eleven-facts-about-eleven-cities-race |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317033119/http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/faq-eleven-facts-about-eleven-cities-race |archive-date=2013-03-17 |access-date=2013-01-28 |website=] |language=en-GB}}}} He ran the ] under the same pseudonym in 1992.{{refn|{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=James |date=2013-04-19 |title=Dutch abdication: Ten things you never knew about the royal family of the Netherlands |work=] |location=] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/10025620/Dutch-abdication-Ten-things-you-never-knew-about-the-royal-family-of-the-Netherlands.html |url-status=live |access-date=2013-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502094751/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/10025620/Dutch-abdication-Ten-things-you-never-knew-about-the-royal-family-of-the-Netherlands.html |archive-date=2013-05-02}}}} Willem-Alexander completed both events.

==Marriage and children==
{{Main|Wedding of Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, and Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti}}

] kiss at the balcony of the ] on their wedding day in 2002.]]

On 2 February 2002, he married ]<ref name="holland">{{cite web|url=https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/getting-around/information/the-royal-family/queen-maxima.htm|title=Queen Máxima|website=Holland.com|date=6 June 2012 |quote=Máxima Zorreguieta was born in Argentina on 17 May 1971.|access-date=25 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825013611/https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/getting-around/information/the-royal-family/queen-maxima.htm|archive-date=25 August 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="koninklijkhuis">{{cite web|url=https://www.royal-house.nl/members-royal-house/queen-maxima/youth|title=Queen Máxima — Youth|website=Het Koninklijk Huis|date=15 January 2015 |quote=Queen Máxima was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 17 May 1971 as Máxima Zorreguieta.|access-date=25 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825014124/https://www.royal-house.nl/members-royal-house/queen-maxima/youth|archive-date=25 August 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="hetloo">{{cite web|url=https://paleishetloo.nl/en/maxima-zorreguieta|title=Máxima Zorreguieta|website=Paleis Het Loo|access-date=25 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825014541/https://paleishetloo.nl/en/maxima-zorreguieta|archive-date=25 August 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> at the ] in Amsterdam. The marriage triggered significant controversy due to the role the bride's father, ], had in the ]. The couple have three daughters: ], ], and ].

] with their daughters ] (left), ] (right) and ] (center)]]

{| Class="wikitable"
|-
! Name || Date of birth || Place of birth || Age
|-
| ] || {{birth date|2003|12|7|df=yes}}|| ], ] || {{age in years|2003|12|7|df=yes}}
|-
| ] || {{birth date|2005|6|26|df=yes}}|| ], ] || {{age in years|2005|6|26|df=yes}}
|-
| ] || {{birth date|2007|4|10|df=yes}}|| ], ] || {{age in years|2007|4|10|df=yes}}
|}

== Privacy and the press ==
In an attempt to strike a balance between privacy for the royal family and availability to the press, the ] (RVD) instituted a media code on 21 June 2005 which essentially states that:{{refn|{{Cite web |date=2005-06-21 |title=Media Code |url=https://www.royal-house.nl/topics/media-information/privacy-protection/media-code |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127191905/https://www.royal-house.nl/topics/media-information/privacy-protection/media-code |archive-date=2020-11-27 |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=] |language=en-GB}}}}
* Photographs of the members of the royal house while performing their duties are always permitted.
* For other occasions (like holidays or vacations), the RVD will arrange a photo-op on condition that the press leave the family alone for the rest of the activity.

During a ski vacation in ], several photographs were taken of the prince and his family during the private part of their holiday, including one by ] staff photographer Natacha Pisarenko, in spite of the media code, and after a photo opportunity had been provided earlier.{{refn|name="NRC_AP"|{{Cite news |date=2005-08-05 |title=Royals sue Associated Press over holiday photos |language=en-GB |work=] |url=http://www.nrc.nl/international/article2320268.ece/Royals_sue_Associated_Press_over_holiday_photos |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909134213/http://www.nrc.nl/international/article2320268.ece/Royals_sue_Associated_Press_over_holiday_photos |archive-date=2009-09-09}}}} The Associated Press decided to publish some of the photos, which were subsequently republished by several Dutch media. Willem-Alexander and the RVD jointly filed ] against the Associated Press on 5 August 2009, and the trial started on 14 August 2009 at the ] in Amsterdam. On 28 August 2009, the district court ruled in favour of the prince and RVD, citing that the couple has a right to privacy, that the pictures in question add nothing to any public debate, and that they are not of any particular value to society since they are not photographs of his family "at work". Associated Press was sentenced to stop further publication of the photographs, on pain of a {{Currency|1000|EUR}} fine per violation with a {{Currency|50000|EUR}} maximum.{{refn|{{Cite web |date=2009-08-28 |title=Willem-Alexander wint rechtszaak tegen AP |trans-title=Willem-Alexander wins lawsuit against AP |url=http://vorstenvroegerennu.nl/?p=273 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308034434/http://vorstenvroegerennu.nl/?p=273 |archive-date=2012-03-08 |language=nl}}}}

In October 2020, Willem-Alexander apologised for a family holiday trip to Greece which had taken place while his country was under partial lockdown during the ].<ref name="Covid-Greece">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54634517|title=Covid: Dutch king expresses regret over Greek holiday scandal|work=BBC News|date=21 October 2020|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> He and his family cut their trip short, and in a two-minute video he stated that it "hurts to have betrayed" people's trust.<ref name="Covid-Greece"/> Earlier in August, he and his wife were photographed with a restaurant owner during another trip to Greece, which was a violation of social distancing rules at the time.<ref name="Covid-Greece"/>

==Properties==
From 2003 until 2019, Willem-Alexander and his family lived in Villa Eikenhorst on the De Horsten Estate in ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Villa Eikenhorst {{!}} De Horsten Royal Estates |url=https://www.royal-house.nl/topics/de-horsten-royal-estates/villa-eikenhorst |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=Royal House of the Netherlands}}</ref> After his mother abdicated and became Princess Beatrix once again, she moved to the castle of ], after which the King and his family moved to the newly renovated monarch's palace of ] in The Hague in 2019.{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Drakensteyn Castle |url=https://www.royal-house.nl/topics/drakensteyn-castle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417230237/https://www.royal-house.nl/topics/drakensteyn-castle |archive-date=2021-04-17 |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=] |language=en-GB}}}}

Willem-Alexander has a villa near ], Greece.{{refn|{{Cite news |date=16 April 2012 |title=Dutch prince buys villa next to James Bond actor |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17725256 |url-status=live |access-date=2013-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417034144/http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17725256 |archive-date=2012-04-17}}}}

===Villa in Machangulo===
On 10 July 2008, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima announced that they had invested in a development project on the ] peninsula of ].{{refn|{{Cite web |date=2008-07-10 |title=Willem-Alexander wil huis voor kust Mozambique |trans-title=Willem-Alexander wants a house off the coast of Mozambique |url=http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4324/Nieuws/article/detail/1280749/2008/07/10/Willem-Alexander-wil-huis-voor-kust-Mozambique.dhtml |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123105806/http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4324/Nieuws/article/detail/1280749/2008/07/10/Willem-Alexander-wil-huis-voor-kust-Mozambique.dhtml |archive-date=2015-01-23 |access-date=2015-01-23 |website=] |language=nl}}}} The development project was aimed at building an ecologically responsible vacation resort, including a hotel and several luxury holiday homes for investors. The project was to invest heavily in the local economy of the peninsula (building schools and a local clinic) with an eye both towards responsible sustainability and maintaining a local staff.{{refn|{{Cite news |last=Waterfield |first=Bruno |date=2009-10-10 |title=Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander accused over Mozambique villa |language=en-GB |work=] |location=] |publication-place=] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/6284941/Dutch-Crown-Prince-Willem-Alexander-accused-over-Mozambique-villa.html |url-status=live |access-date=2010-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601084951/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/6284941/Dutch-Crown-Prince-Willem-Alexander-accused-over-Mozambique-villa.html |archive-date=2010-06-01}}}} After contacting Mozambican President ] to verify that the Mozambican government had no objections, the couple decided to invest in two villas.{{refn|name="ADPres"|{{Cite news |date=2009-11-19 |title=Prins had contact met president Mozambique |language=nl |work=] |url=http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1012/Nederland/article/detail/2062030/2009/11/19/Prins-had-contact-met-president-Mozambique.dhtml |url-status=dead |access-date=2022-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123120912/http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1012/Nederland/article/detail/2062030/2009/11/19/Prins-had-contact-met-president-Mozambique.dhtml |archive-date=2015-01-23}}}} In 2009, controversy erupted in parliament and the press about the project and the prince's involvement.{{r|ADPres}} Politician ] questioned the morality of building such a resort in a poor country like Mozambique. After public and parliamentary controversy, the royal couple announced that they had decided to sell the property in Machangulo once their house was completed.{{refn|name="NRC"|{{Cite news |date=2009-11-23 |title=Crown prince bows to public pressure over Mozambique villa |language=en-GB |work=] |url=http://www.nrc.nl/international/Features/article2421003.ece/Crown_prince_bows_to_public_pressure_over_Mozambique_villa |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302083042/http://www.nrc.nl/international/Features/article2421003.ece/Crown_prince_bows_to_public_pressure_over_Mozambique_villa |archive-date=2010-03-02}}}} In January 2012, it was confirmed that the villa had been sold.{{refn|name="NOS_sold"|{{Cite web |date=2012-01-18 |title=Prins verkoopt villa in Mozambique |url=http://nos.nl/artikel/331249-prins-verkoopt-villa-in-mozambique.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123125934/http://nos.nl/artikel/331249-prins-verkoopt-villa-in-mozambique.html |archive-date=2015-01-23 |access-date=2015-01-23 |website=] |language=nl}}}}

==Titles, styles, honours and arms==
===Titles and styles===
{{See also|Style of the Dutch sovereign}}
* 27 April 1967{{thinsp|–}}30 April 1980: ''His Royal Highness'' Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg
* 30 April 1980{{thinsp|–}}30 April 2013: ''His Royal Highness'' The Prince of Orange
* 30 April 2013{{thinsp|–}}present: ''His Majesty'' The King<ref name=abdication>{{Cite web|url=https://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/onderwerpen/titels-aanspreektitels-en-beschermheerschappen/aanspreektitels|title = Aanspreektitels - Titels, aanspreektitels en beschermheerschappen - Het Koninklijk Huis|date = 14 January 2015}}</ref>

Willem-Alexander's full title is: His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, etc., etc., etc.<ref name=abdication/>

Willem-Alexander is the first Dutch king since ] ({{abbr|d.|died}} 1890). Willem-Alexander had earlier indicated that when he became king, he would take the name ''Willem IV'',{{refn|name="witteman97"|{{Cite web |title=Interview met Willem-Alexander |url=http://www.racchvs.com/alex/biointerview.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307005304/http://www.racchvs.com/alex/biointerview.htm |archive-date=2007-03-07 |access-date=2006-05-06 |language=nl}}}} but it was announced in January 2013 that his regnal name would be ''Willem-Alexander''.{{refn|name="koninklijkhuis1"|{{Cite web |title=Prince of Orange to become King Willem-Alexander |url=http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/globale-paginas/taalrubrieken/english/news// |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007203226/http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/globale-paginas/taalrubrieken/english/news/ |archive-date=2015-10-07 |access-date=2017-06-15 |language=en-GB}}}}

===Military ranks===
] at the ] in June 2010]]

]

'''Royal Netherlands Navy – conscripted'''
*] Lieutenant at sea, third class (]) (August 1985{{thinsp|–}}January 1987)
*] Lieutenant at sea, second class (]) (watch officer, 1988)

'''Royal Netherlands Navy – reserve'''
*] Lieutenant at sea, second class (senior grade) (]) (1988–1995)
*] Lieutenant at sea, first class (]) (1995–1997)
*] Captain-lieutenant at sea (]) (1997–2001)
*] ] (2001–2005)
*] ] (2005–2013)

'''Royal Netherlands Air Force – reserve'''
*] ] (1995–2005)
*] ] (2005–2013)

'''Royal Netherlands Army – reserve'''
*] ], ] (1995–1997)
*] ] (1997–2001)
*] ] (2001–2005)
*] ] (2005–2013)

'''] – reserve'''
*] ] (2005–2013)

'''King's Insignia, all services'''
*] ] (2013–present)

===Qualifications===
*] ]

===Honours===
{{see also|List of honours of the Dutch royal family by country}}

====National====
* ] Grand Master of the ]
* ] Grand Master and Knight Grand Cross of the ]
* ] Grand Master of the ]
* ] Co-Grand Master and Knight of the ]
* ] Grand Master and Grand Cross of the ]
* ] Grand Master of the ]
* ] Grand Master of the ]
* ] Honorary Commander of the ]{{refn|{{Cite news |date=2014-12-01 |title=Koning Willem-Alexander erecommendeur van Johanniter Orde |language=nl |work=] |url=http://www.refdag.nl/kerkplein/kerknieuws/koning_willem_alexander_erecommendeur_van_johanniter_orde_1_873842 |url-status=dead |access-date=2016-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531071212/http://www.refdag.nl/kerkplein/kerknieuws/koning_willem_alexander_erecommendeur_van_johanniter_orde_1_873842 |archive-date=31 May 2016}}}}
* ] Grand Master of the ]
* ] Recipient of the ]
* ] Recipient of the {{Interlanguage link|Officer Long Service Cross|nl|3=Onderscheidingsteken voor Langdurige Dienst als officier}}
* ] Recipient of the ]
* ] Recipient of the ]

====Foreign====
*{{flag|Argentina}}: Collar of the ]{{refn|{{Cite web |date=2017-03-27 |title=Máxima de Holanda, anfitriona de Juliana Awada en su visita de Estado a Holanda |trans-title=Máxima of the Netherlands, hostess of Juliana Awada on her state visit to the Netherlands |url=http://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/multimedia/album/casas-reales/2017-03-27/maxima-holanda-juliana-awada-macri-rey-visita-argentina_1355855#0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518104128/http://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/multimedia/album/casas-reales/2017-03-27/maxima-holanda-juliana-awada-macri-rey-visita-argentina_1355855/ |archive-date=2017-05-18 |access-date=2017-06-15 |website=] |language=es}}}}
*{{flag|Austria}}: Grand Star of the ]
*{{flag|Belgium}}:
** Grand Cordon of the ] (2016)
** Grand Cross of the ] (1993)
*{{flag|Brazil}}: Grand Cross of the ]
*{{flag|Brunei}}: Member of the ]
*{{flag|Cape Verde}}: Member 1st Class of the Amílcar Cabral Order (7 December 2018){{refn|{{Cite magazine |date=2018-12-07 |title=Boletim Oficial |trans-title=Official Bulletin |url=https://kiosk.incv.cv/V/2018/12/7/1.1.80.2618/p1 |url-status=live |language=pt |volume=1 |issue=80 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327085157/https://kiosk.incv.cv/V/2018/12/7/1.1.80.2618/p1 |archive-date=2022-03-27 |access-date=2019-11-11 |magazine=Imprensa Nacional de Cabo Verde}}}}
*{{flag|Chile}}: Grand Cross of the ]
*{{flag|Denmark}}: Knight of the ] (RE, 31 January 1998){{refn|{{Cite web |title=Ordensdetaljer |trans-title=Order details |url=https://bdkv2.borger.dk/foa/Sider/default.aspx?fk=24&foaid=213&page=1&pageSize=500 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207033319/https://bdkv2.borger.dk/foa/Sider/default.aspx?fk=24&foaid=213&page=1&pageSize=500 |archive-date=2013-12-07 |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=borger.dk |language=da}}}}
*{{flag|Estonia}}: ] (5 June 2018){{refn|{{Cite web |title=Kuningas Willem-Alexander |trans-title=King Willem-Alexander |url=https://www.president.ee/en/state-decorations/bearers-of-decorations/30777-kuningas-willem-alexander |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220427050754/https://www.president.ee/en/state-decorations/bearers-of-decorations/30777-kuningas-willem-alexander |archive-date=2022-04-27 |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=Office of the President of the Republic |language=et}}}}<ref> - website of the Estionian public radio and television organisation ]</ref><ref> - website of the ]</ref>
*{{flag|France}}:
** Grand Cross of the ] (20 January 2014){{refn|{{Cite web |date=2014-01-20 |title=Koning krijgt grootkruis van Legioen van Eer |trans-title=King receives Grand Cross of Legion of Honour |url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/22226644/__Koning_krijgt_onderscheiding__.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123060401/http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/22226644/__Koning_krijgt_onderscheiding__.html |archive-date=2014-01-23 |website=] |language=nl}}}}
** Grand Cross of the ]
*{{flag|Germany}}:
** Grand Cross 1st class of the ]{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Prince Willem-Alexander attends a state banquet offered by president |url=http://c7.alamy.com/comp/DAJHN6/prince-willem-alexander-attends-a-state-banquet-offered-by-president-DAJHN6.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403014851/http://c7.alamy.com/comp/DAJHN6/prince-willem-alexander-attends-a-state-banquet-offered-by-president-DAJHN6.jpg |archive-date=2017-04-03 |access-date=2017-06-15 |website=] |format=JPG}}}}{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Queen Beatrix Netherlands Through the Years |url=http://static.socialitelife.com/uploads/2013/01/29/Queen-Beatrix-Netherlands-Through-The-Years-01292013-14-682x517.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227060057/http://static.socialitelife.com/uploads/2013/01/29/Queen-Beatrix-Netherlands-Through-The-Years-01292013-14-682x517.jpg |archive-date=2016-12-27 |access-date=2017-06-15 |website=Socialite Life |format=JPG}}}}{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander |url=http://c7.alamy.com/comp/DB0YK3/queen-beatrix-of-the-netherlands-bottom-and-crown-prince-willem-alexander-DB0YK3.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403110817/http://c7.alamy.com/comp/DB0YK3/queen-beatrix-of-the-netherlands-bottom-and-crown-prince-willem-alexander-DB0YK3.jpg |archive-date=2017-04-03 |access-date=2017-06-15 |website=] |format=JPG}}}}
** Grand Cross Special Class of the ] (5 July 2021)
* {{flag|Greece}}: Grand Cross of the ] (31 October 2022)
*{{flag|Indonesia}}: ] 1st Class
*{{flag|Italy}}: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the ] (19 June 2017){{refn|{{Cite web |title=van Oranje-Nassau S.M. Willem Alexander Claus George Decorato di Gran Cordone |trans-title=van Orange-Nassau H.M. Willem-Alexander Claus George Decorated with Grand Cordon |url=https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/346764 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907212830/http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=346764 |archive-date=2017-09-07 |website=Presidenza della Repubblica |language=it}}}}
*{{flag|Japan}}: Grand Cordon and Collar of the ] (24 October 2014){{refn|{{Cite web |title=Gaikoku hito jokun jushō-sha meibo Heisei 26-nen |script-title=ja:外国人叙勲受章者名簿 平成26年 |trans-title=List of recipients of foreign awards 2014 |url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ms/po/page22_001017.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213355/http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ms/po/page22_001017.html |archive-date=2016-03-03 |access-date=2017-06-15 |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs |language=ja}}}}
*{{flag|Jordan}}: Collar of the ] (20 March 2018)
*{{flag|Latvia}}: Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the ] (6 June 2018){{refn|{{Cite web |title=Par Triju Zvaigžņu ordeņa piešķiršanu |trans-title=On the awarding of the Order of the Three Stars |url=https://www.vestnesis.lv/op/2018/115.1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413124450/https://www.vestnesis.lv/op/2018/115.1 |archive-date=2021-04-13 |access-date=2018-06-11 |website=Latvijas Vēstnesis |language=lv}}}}
*{{flag|Lithuania}}: ] with the Golden Chain (13 June 2018){{refn|{{Cite press release |title=Royal visit crowns Lithuanian-Dutch friendship |date=2018-06-13 |location=] |url=https://www.lrp.lt/en/press-centre/press-releases/royal-visit-crowns-lithuanian-dutch-friendship/30211 |language=en-GB |access-date=2022-04-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327085156/https://www.lrp.lt/en/press-centre/press-releases/royal-visit-crowns-lithuanian-dutch-friendship/30211 |archive-date=2022-03-27 |website=President of the Republic of Lithuania}}}}
*{{flag|Luxembourg}}:
** Grand Cross of the ]
** Grand Cross of the ]
*{{flag|Mexico}}: Sash of the ] (2009)
*{{flag|Norway}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the ] (1996) (2021)
*{{flag|Oman}}: Recipient of the ] (10 January 2012)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.omanobserver.om/files/pdf/2012/1/11/OmanObserver_11-01-12.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401231830/http://www.omanobserver.om/files/pdf/2012/1/11/OmanObserver_11-01-12.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Oman Observer|archive-date=1 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ppe-agency.com/preview.php?start=0&id=73487&zoektype=1&search=10-01-2012+Gala|title= Fotoarchief Denieuwsfoto|website=www.ppe-agency.com}}</ref>
*{{flag|Poland}}: Knight of the ] (2014)
*{{flag|Portugal}}:
** Grand Collar of the ] (GCollH, 10 October 2017){{refn|{{Cite web |title=Entidades Estrangeiras Agraciadas com Ordens Portuguesas |trans-title=Foreign Entities Awarded with Portuguese Orders |url=http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154&list=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409103248/https://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154&list=1 |archive-date=2022-04-09 |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas |language=pt}} }}
** Grand Collar of the ] (GCol, 10 December 2024)
*{{flag|Slovakia}}: Grand Cross of the ] (7 March 2023)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prezident.sk/article/holandsky-kralovsky-par-pricestoval-na-navstevu-slovenska/|title=Holandský kráľovský pár pricestoval na návštevu Slovenska|date=7 March 2023|website=Prezidentka Slovenskej republiky}}</ref>
* {{flag|South Korea}}: Recipient of the ] (12 December 2023)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/foto-en-video/inkomende-staatsbezoeken/president-van-republiek-korea-december-2023/ | title=President van de Republiek Korea, December 2023 - Foto en video - Het Koninklijk Huis | date=12 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/koninklijkhuis/status/1734673826934378597/photo/2/|title=x.com}}</ref>
*{{flag|Spain}}:
**Knight of the Collar of the ] (26 March 2024){{refn|{{Cite web |title=Real Decreto 349/2024|trans-title=Royal Decree 349/2024|url=https://boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2024-6171 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102819/http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2001/10/20/pdfs/A38632-38632.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Boletín Oficial del Estado |language=es}}}}
** Knight Grand Cross of the ] (GYC, 19 October 2001) {{refn|{{Cite web |title=Real Decreto 1141 |trans-title=Royal Decree 1141 |url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2001/10/20/pdfs/A38632-38632.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102819/http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2001/10/20/pdfs/A38632-38632.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2017-06-15 |website=Boletín Oficial del Estado |language=es}}}}
*{{flag|Sweden}}: Knight with Collar of the ] (RSerafO, 1993) (2022)
*{{flag|Thailand}}: Knight Grand Cordon of the ]{{refn|{{Cite press release |title=Prakāṣ̄ s̄ảnạk nāykrạṭ̄hmntrī |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00137671.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231082034/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00137671.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2014 |language=th |access-date=2022-04-27 |trans-title=Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office |volume=121 |issue=6B |script-title=th:ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี |website=ราชกิจจานุเบกษา}} }}
*{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}: Grand Cross of the Order of Union
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}: Stranger Knight Companion of the ] (KG, 23 October 2018)<ref> - Dutch online newspaper ]</ref><ref> - official website of the Dutch royal house</ref>
*{{flag|Venezuela}}: Grand Cross of the ]

===Awards===
* ]: Recipient of the ]{{r|OlympicOrder}} (8 September 2013)

===Honorary appointment===
*] to Her Majesty The Queen (until 2013)

===Arms===
{{Main|Coat of arms of the Netherlands}}

{{Infobox COA wide
| image = Royal coat of arms of the Netherlands.svg
| imagesize = 215px
| bannerimage = Royal Standard of the Netherlands.svg
| badgeimage =
| notes = As Monarch, Willem-Alexander uses the ''']''' ({{lang|nl|Grote Rijkswapen}}). The components of the coats of arms were updated and further regulated by ] in a royal decree of 10 July 1907 and were affirmed by ] in a royal decree of 23 April 1980.
| adopted = 10 July 1907 (a slightly adapted version of the original from 24 August 1815)
| crest = Issuing from a coronet Or, a pair of wings joined Sable each with an arched bend Argent charged with three leaves of the lime-tree stems upward Vert.
| torse = ] and ]
| helm = Barred helmet
| escutcheon = ], billetty ] a ] with a ] Or armed and langued ] holding in his dexter paw a ] ] hilted Or and in the sinister paw seven ]s Argent pointed and bound together Or.
| supporters = Two lions rampant Or armed and langued Gules
| compartment =
| motto = {{ubl|{{lang|fr|italic=no|''']'''}}|''French: I will maintain (in Dutch: {{lang|nl|Ik zal handhaven}})''}}
| orders =
| other_elements = The monarch places this coat of arms on a ] mantle, with golden borders and tassels, lined with ]. Above the mantle is a purple pavilion again topped with the royal crown.{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Coats of arms |date=14 April 2015 |url=https://www.royal-house.nl/topics/coats-of-arms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129081114/https://www.royal-house.nl/topics/coats-of-arms |archive-date=2021-11-29 |access-date=2022-04-27}}}} (Note: Although the official blazon states the mantle as purple it often looks like (dark) red. French and German purple contains more red and less blue than American or British purple.)
| banner = Upon his succession to the throne, Willem-Alexander adopted the (partly modified) ], which is a square orange flag, divided in four-quarters by a nassau-blue cross. All quarters show a white and blue bugle-horn, taken from the coat of arms of the ]. In the centre of the flag is the (small) coat of arms of the Kingdom, which originates from the arms of the ], surmounted by a royal crown and surrounded by the insignia of the Grand Cross of the ].
| badge =
| symbolism = The seven arrows stand for the seven provinces of the ].
| previous_versions = ] Quarterly, 1 and 3, Azure, billetty Or a lion with a coronet or armed and langued Gules holding in his dexter paw a sword Argent hilted Or and in the sinister paw seven arrows Argent pointed and bound together Or (], i.e. that of his mother, Queen Beatrix), 2 and 4, Or, and a bugle-horn Azure, langued Gules (arms of the former ]), on an inescutcheon Vert, a castle proper, on a mount of the last (arms of the ], i.e. that of his late father, ]).
}}

==Ancestry==
Through his father, a member of the ], he is descended from families of the lower ], and through his mother, from several royal German–Dutch families such as the ], ], the ], ], and the ]. He is descended from the first king of the Netherlands, ], who was also a ruler in Luxembourg and several German states, and all subsequent Dutch monarchs.

Through his mother, Willem-Alexander also descends from ] and thus from German princess ] and Swedish King ]. Through his father, he is also descended from several Dutch–Flemish families who left the ] during Spanish rule, such as the ]. His paternal great-great-grandfather Gabriel von Amsberg, a major-general of Mecklenburg, was recognized as noble as late as 1891, the family having adopted the "]" in 1795.{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Ancestors of Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands |url=http://heinbruins.nl/Alex.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227065158/http://heinbruins.nl/Alex.html |archive-date=2021-12-27 |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=Hein's Royal Genealogy Page |language=en-GB}}}}{{refn|{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopedievanh0000unse |title=Encyclopedie van het Koninklijk Huis |date=2005 |publisher=] |isbn=978-90-274-9745-1 |editor-last=Tebbe |editor-first=F. J. J. |location=] |page=17 |language=nl |trans-title=Encyclopædia of the Royal House |oclc=66011838 |ol=33221156M |editor-last2=Aerts |editor-first2=W. D. E. |editor-last3=Cruyningen |editor-first3=Arnout van |editor-last4=Klare |editor-first4=Jean |url-access=registration |via=]}}}}

Willem-Alexander is a descendant of King ] and, more relevant for his succession rights, of his granddaughter ]. Under the ], King Willem-Alexander temporarily forfeited his (distant) succession rights to the ] by marrying a Roman Catholic. This right has since been restored in 2015 under the ].{{refn|{{Cite web |date=2015-03-27 |title=Willem-Alexander maakt nu kans op de Britse troon |trans-title=Willem-Alexander now has a chance at the British throne |url=http://nos.nl/artikel/2027224-willem-alexander-maakt-nu-kans-op-de-britse-troon.html |language=nl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304142123/http://nos.nl/artikel/2027224-willem-alexander-maakt-nu-kans-op-de-britse-troon.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2017-06-15 |website=]}}}}

Finally, Willem-Alexander is also a distant descendent of ], who is held to be the ] in the Netherlands, since ], a great-great-grandson of William the Silent, is known to be a common ancestor to all current European monarchs.

{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=no |align=center
| boxstyle_1 = background-color: #fcc;
| boxstyle_2 = background-color: #fb9;
| boxstyle_3 = background-color: #ffc;
| boxstyle_4 = background-color: #bfc;
| 1 = 1. '''Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands'''
| 2 = 2. ]
| 3 = 3. ]
| 4 = 4. ]
| 5 = 5. ]
| 6 = 6. ]
| 7 = 7. ]
| 8 = 8. ]
| 9 = 9. ]
| 10 = 10. Baron Georg von dem Bussche-Haddenhausen
| 11 = 11. Baroness Gabriele von dem Bussche-Ippenburg
| 12 = 12. ]
| 13 = 13. ]
| 14 = 14. ]
| 15 = 15. ]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|2=Willem-Alexander}}
{{Wikiquote|2=Willem-Alexander}}
* {{Official website|https://www.royal-house.nl/members-royal-house/king-willem-alexander}} (English)
* (Dutch)
* {{C-SPAN|97300}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|]|27 April|1967}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-brk}}
{{s-vac|last=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=]|years=1980–2013}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}
{{s-brk}}
{{s-roy|nl}}
{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=]|years=2013–present}}
{{s-inc|heir=]|heir-type=Heir apparent}}
{{s-end}}

{{Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands}}
{{Navboxes|list=
{{Monarchs of the Netherlands}}
{{Princes of Orange}}
{{Dutch princes}}
{{Sovereigns of monarchies}}
{{Heads of state of the European Union member states}}
{{Council of State of the Netherlands}}
{{Members of the Order of the Garter}}}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Thai sort key not needed}}

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 02:11, 23 December 2024

King of the Netherlands since 2013

Willem-Alexander
Formal portrait, 2013
King of the Netherlands
Reign30 April 2013 (2013-04-30) – present
Inauguration30 April 2013
PredecessorBeatrix
Heiress apparentCatharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange
Born (1967-04-27) 27 April 1967 (age 57)
Utrecht, Netherlands
Spouse Máxima Zorreguieta ​(m. 2002)
Issue
Names
Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand
House
FatherClaus von Amsberg
MotherBeatrix of the Netherlands
ReligionProtestant
SignatureWillem-Alexander's signature
Military career
Service / branch
Years of service1985–2013
Rank
Dutch royal family
House of Orange-Nassau

Princess Beatrix *

Extended familyPrincess Irene

Princess Margriet *
Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven *


  • Mr Bernardo Guillermo
    Mrs Eva Guillermo
  • Mr Nicolás Guillermo
  • Miss Juliana Guillermo
* Member of the Dutch royal house

Willem-Alexander (Dutch: [ˈʋɪləm aːlɛkˈsɑndər]; Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand; born 27 April 1967) is King of the Netherlands, reigning since 30 April 2013.

Willem-Alexander was born in Utrecht during the reign of his maternal grandmother, Queen Juliana, as the eldest child of Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus. He became Prince of Orange as heir apparent upon his mother's accession on 30 April 1980. He went to public primary and secondary schools in the Netherlands, and an international sixth-form college in Wales. He served in the Royal Netherlands Navy, and studied history at Leiden University. He married Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti in 2002, and they have three daughters: Catharina-Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane. Willem-Alexander succeeded his mother as monarch upon her abdication on 30 April 2013. He is the first man to hold this position since the death of his great-great-grandfather William III in 1890, as the intervening three monarchs—his great-grandmother Wilhelmina, his grandmother Juliana and his mother Beatrix—had all been women.

Willem-Alexander is interested in sports and international water management issues. Until his accession to the throne, he was a member of the International Olympic Committee (1998–2013), chairman of the Advisory Committee on Water to the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment (2004–2013), and chairman of the Secretary-General of the United Nations' Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (2006–2013).

Early life and education

Prince Willem-Alexander (left) at age 14 and his brother Friso in 1982

Willem-Alexander was born on 27 April 1967 at the Utrecht University Hospital (now known as the University Medical Center Utrecht) in Utrecht. He is the first child of Princess Beatrix (later Queen) and Prince Claus, and the first grandchild of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard. He was the first male Dutch royal baby since the birth of Prince Alexander in 1851, and the first immediate male heir since Alexander's death in 1884.

From birth, Willem-Alexander has held the titles Prince of the Netherlands (Dutch: Prins der Nederlanden), Prince of Orange-Nassau, and Jonkheer of Amsberg. He was baptised as a member of the Dutch Reformed Church on 2 September 1967 in Saint Jacob's Church in The Hague. His godparents are his maternal grandfather Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld, his paternal grandmother Gösta Freiin von dem Bussche-Haddenhausen, Prince Ferdinand von Bismarck, former Prime Minister Jelle Zijlstra, Jonkvrouw Renée Röell, and Queen Margrethe II.

He had two younger brothers: Prince Friso (1968–2013) and Prince Constantijn (b. 1969). He lived with his family at the castle Drakensteyn in the hamlet Lage Vuursche near Baarn from his birth until 1981, when they moved to the larger palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague. His mother, Beatrix, became Queen of the Netherlands in 1980, after his grandmother Juliana abdicated. He then received the title of Prince of Orange as heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the age of 13.

Willem-Alexander attended local state primary school Nieuwe Baarnse Elementary School in Baarn from 1973 to 1979. He went to two different state secondary schools (the Baarns Lyceum in Baarn from 1979 to 1981 and the Eerste Vrijzinnig Christelijk Lyceum in The Hague from 1981 to 1983) and the private sixth-form college United World College of the Atlantic in Wales (1983 to 1985), where he received his International Baccalaureate.

After his military service from 1985 to 1987, Willem-Alexander studied history at Leiden University from 1987 onwards and received his Master of Arts degree (doctorandus) in 1993. His final thesis was on the Dutch response to France's decision under President Charles de Gaulle to leave NATO's integrated command structure.

Willem-Alexander speaks English, Spanish, French, and German (his father's native language) in addition to his native Dutch.

Military training and career

Willem-Alexander in the navy uniform of ensign in 1986

Between secondary school and his university education, Willem-Alexander performed military service in the Royal Netherlands Navy from August 1985 until January 1987. He received his training at the Royal Netherlands Naval College and in the frigates HNLMS Tromp and HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen, where he was an ensign. In 1988 he received additional training in the ship HNLMS Van Kinsbergen and became a lieutenant (junior grade) (wachtofficier).

As a reservist for the Royal Netherlands Navy, Willem-Alexander was promoted to lieutenant commander in 1995, commander in 1997, Captain at Sea in 2001, and commodore in 2005. As a reservist for the Royal Netherlands Army, he was made a major (Grenadiers' and Rifles Guard Regiment) in 1995, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1997, colonel in 2001, and brigadier general in 2005. As a reservist for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, he was made squadron leader in 1995 and promoted to air commodore in 2005. As a reservist for the Royal Marechaussee, he was made brigadier general in 2005.

Before his investiture as king in 2013, Willem-Alexander was honourably discharged from the armed forces. The government declared that the head of state cannot be a serving member of the armed forces, since the government itself holds supreme command over the armed forces. As king, Willem-Alexander may choose to wear a military uniform with royal insignia, but not with his former rank insignia.

Activities and social interests

Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima meet Michelle Obama, Barack Obama and Fay Hartog-Levin at the White House in 2009.

Since 1985, when he became 18 years old, Willem-Alexander has been a member of the Council of State of the Netherlands. This is the highest council of the Dutch political system and is chaired by the head of state (then Queen Beatrix).

Willem-Alexander is interested in water management and sports issues. He was an honorary member of the World Commission on Water for the 21st century and patron of the Global Water Partnership, a body established by the World Bank, the UN, and the Swedish Ministry of Development. He was appointed as the Chairperson of the United Nations Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation on 12 December 2006.

On 10 October 2010, Willem-Alexander and Máxima went to the Netherlands Antilles' capital, Willemstad, to attend and represent his mother, the Queen, at the Antillean Dissolution ceremony.

He was a patron of the Dutch Olympic Games Committee until 1998 when he was made a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). After becoming King, he relinquished his membership and received the Gold Olympic Order at the 125th IOC Session. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1928 Summer Olympics held in Amsterdam, he had expressed support to bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

He was a member of the supervisory board of De Nederlandsche Bank (the Dutch central bank), a member of the Advisory Council of ECP (the information society forum for government, business and civil society), patron of Veterans' Day and held several other patronages and posts.

Reign

See also: List of overseas trips made by Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
Willem-Alexander with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Israeli President Isaac Herzog on 10 March 2024

On 28 January 2013, Beatrix announced her intention to abdicate. On the morning of 30 April 2013 (Koninginnedag), Beatrix signed the instrument of abdication at the Moseszaal (Moses Hall) at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. Later that afternoon, Willem-Alexander was inaugurated as king before a joint session of the States General in a ceremony held at the Nieuwe Kerk.

As king, Willem-Alexander has weekly meetings with the prime minister and speaks regularly with ministers and state secretaries. He also signs all new Acts of Parliament and royal decrees. He represents the kingdom at home and abroad. At the State Opening of Parliament, he delivers the Speech from the Throne, which announces the plans of the government for the parliamentary year. The Constitution requires that the king appoint, dismiss and swear in all government ministers and state secretaries. As king, he is also the President of the Council of State, an advisory body that reviews proposed legislation. In modern practice, the monarch seldom chairs council meetings.

At his accession at age 46, he was Europe's youngest monarch. He is currently third-youngest after Frederik X of Denmark and Felipe VI of Spain. He is also the first male monarch of the Netherlands since the death of his great-great-grandfather William III in 1890. Willem-Alexander was one of four new sovereign monarchs in 2013 along with Pope Francis, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, and King Philippe of Belgium.

Other activities

Willem-Alexander with his family at the 2012 Summer Olympics, here supporting Ellen van Dijk

Willem-Alexander is an avid pilot and has said that if he had not been a royal, he would have liked to be an airline pilot so he could fly internationally on large-sized aircraft such as the Boeing 747. During the reign of his mother, he regularly flew the Dutch royal aircraft on trips. However, in May 2017, Willem-Alexander revealed that he had served as a first officer on KLM flights for 21 years, flying KLM Cityhopper's Fokker 70s twice a month, even after his accession to the throne. Following KLM's phased retirement of the Fokker 70, he began training to fly Boeing 737s. Willem-Alexander was rarely recognized while in the KLM uniform and wearing the KLM cap, though a few passengers recognized his voice, even though he never gave his name and only welcomed passengers on behalf of the captain and crew.

Using the name "W. A. van Buren", one of the least-known titles of the House of Orange-Nassau, he participated in the 1986 Frisian Elfstedentocht, a 200-kilometre-long (120 mi) distance ice skating tour. He ran the New York City Marathon under the same pseudonym in 1992. Willem-Alexander completed both events.

Marriage and children

Main article: Wedding of Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, and Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti
Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima kiss at the balcony of the Royal Palace of Amsterdam on their wedding day in 2002.

On 2 February 2002, he married Máxima Zorreguieta at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. The marriage triggered significant controversy due to the role the bride's father, Jorge Zorreguieta, had in the Argentinian military dictatorship. The couple have three daughters: The Princess of Orange, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima with their daughters Princess Catharina-Amalia (left), Princess Alexia (right) and Princess Ariane (center)
Name Date of birth Place of birth Age
Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange (2003-12-07)7 December 2003 The Hague, Netherlands 21
Princess Alexia of the Netherlands (2005-06-26)26 June 2005 The Hague, Netherlands 19
Princess Ariane of the Netherlands (2007-04-10)10 April 2007 The Hague, Netherlands 17

Privacy and the press

In an attempt to strike a balance between privacy for the royal family and availability to the press, the Netherlands Government Information Service (RVD) instituted a media code on 21 June 2005 which essentially states that:

  • Photographs of the members of the royal house while performing their duties are always permitted.
  • For other occasions (like holidays or vacations), the RVD will arrange a photo-op on condition that the press leave the family alone for the rest of the activity.

During a ski vacation in Argentina, several photographs were taken of the prince and his family during the private part of their holiday, including one by Associated Press staff photographer Natacha Pisarenko, in spite of the media code, and after a photo opportunity had been provided earlier. The Associated Press decided to publish some of the photos, which were subsequently republished by several Dutch media. Willem-Alexander and the RVD jointly filed suit against the Associated Press on 5 August 2009, and the trial started on 14 August 2009 at the district court in Amsterdam. On 28 August 2009, the district court ruled in favour of the prince and RVD, citing that the couple has a right to privacy, that the pictures in question add nothing to any public debate, and that they are not of any particular value to society since they are not photographs of his family "at work". Associated Press was sentenced to stop further publication of the photographs, on pain of a 1,000 fine per violation with a 50,000 maximum.

In October 2020, Willem-Alexander apologised for a family holiday trip to Greece which had taken place while his country was under partial lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. He and his family cut their trip short, and in a two-minute video he stated that it "hurts to have betrayed" people's trust. Earlier in August, he and his wife were photographed with a restaurant owner during another trip to Greece, which was a violation of social distancing rules at the time.

Properties

From 2003 until 2019, Willem-Alexander and his family lived in Villa Eikenhorst on the De Horsten Estate in Wassenaar. After his mother abdicated and became Princess Beatrix once again, she moved to the castle of Drakensteyn, after which the King and his family moved to the newly renovated monarch's palace of Huis ten Bosch in The Hague in 2019.

Willem-Alexander has a villa near Kranidi, Greece.

Villa in Machangulo

On 10 July 2008, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima announced that they had invested in a development project on the Mozambican peninsula of Machangulo. The development project was aimed at building an ecologically responsible vacation resort, including a hotel and several luxury holiday homes for investors. The project was to invest heavily in the local economy of the peninsula (building schools and a local clinic) with an eye both towards responsible sustainability and maintaining a local staff. After contacting Mozambican President Armando Guebuza to verify that the Mozambican government had no objections, the couple decided to invest in two villas. In 2009, controversy erupted in parliament and the press about the project and the prince's involvement. Politician Alexander Pechtold questioned the morality of building such a resort in a poor country like Mozambique. After public and parliamentary controversy, the royal couple announced that they had decided to sell the property in Machangulo once their house was completed. In January 2012, it was confirmed that the villa had been sold.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles

See also: Style of the Dutch sovereign
  • 27 April 1967 – 30 April 1980: His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg
  • 30 April 1980 – 30 April 2013: His Royal Highness The Prince of Orange
  • 30 April 2013 – present: His Majesty The King

Willem-Alexander's full title is: His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, etc., etc., etc.

Willem-Alexander is the first Dutch king since Willem III (d. 1890). Willem-Alexander had earlier indicated that when he became king, he would take the name Willem IV, but it was announced in January 2013 that his regnal name would be Willem-Alexander.

Military ranks

Willem-Alexander in the navy uniform of commodore at the wedding of the Crown Princess of Sweden and Daniel Westling in June 2010
King Willem-Alexander in uniform with the Royal insignia

Royal Netherlands Navy – conscripted

  • Lieutenant at sea, third class (Ensign) (August 1985 – January 1987)
  • Lieutenant at sea, second class (Sub-lieutenant) (watch officer, 1988)

Royal Netherlands Navy – reserve

Royal Netherlands Air Force – reserve

Royal Netherlands Army – reserve

Royal Marechaussee – reserve

King's Insignia, all services

Qualifications

Honours

See also: List of honours of the Dutch royal family by country

National

Foreign

Awards

Honorary appointment

Arms

Main article: Coat of arms of the Netherlands
Coat of arms of Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
Notes
As Monarch, Willem-Alexander uses the Greater Coat of Arms of the Realm (Grote Rijkswapen). The components of the coats of arms were updated and further regulated by Queen Wilhelmina in a royal decree of 10 July 1907 and were affirmed by Queen Juliana in a royal decree of 23 April 1980.
Crest
Issuing from a coronet Or, a pair of wings joined Sable each with an arched bend Argent charged with three leaves of the lime-tree stems upward Vert.
Torse
Azure and Or
Helm
Barred helmet
Escutcheon
Azure, billetty Or a lion with a coronet Or armed and langued Gules holding in his dexter paw a sword Argent hilted Or and in the sinister paw seven arrows Argent pointed and bound together Or.
Supporters
Two lions rampant Or armed and langued Gules
Motto
Other elements
The monarch places this coat of arms on a purple mantle, with golden borders and tassels, lined with Ermine. Above the mantle is a purple pavilion again topped with the royal crown. (Note: Although the official blazon states the mantle as purple it often looks like (dark) red. French and German purple contains more red and less blue than American or British purple.)
Banner
Upon his succession to the throne, Willem-Alexander adopted the (partly modified) Royal Standard of the Netherlands, which is a square orange flag, divided in four-quarters by a nassau-blue cross. All quarters show a white and blue bugle-horn, taken from the coat of arms of the Principality of Orange. In the centre of the flag is the (small) coat of arms of the Kingdom, which originates from the arms of the House of Nassau, surmounted by a royal crown and surrounded by the insignia of the Grand Cross of the Military William Order.
Symbolism
The seven arrows stand for the seven provinces of the Union of Utrecht.
Previous versions
Quarterly, 1 and 3, Azure, billetty Or a lion with a coronet or armed and langued Gules holding in his dexter paw a sword Argent hilted Or and in the sinister paw seven arrows Argent pointed and bound together Or (royal arms of the Netherlands, i.e. that of his mother, Queen Beatrix), 2 and 4, Or, and a bugle-horn Azure, langued Gules (arms of the former Principality of Orange), on an inescutcheon Vert, a castle proper, on a mount of the last (arms of the House of Amsberg, i.e. that of his late father, Prince Claus).

Ancestry

Through his father, a member of the House of Amsberg, he is descended from families of the lower German nobility, and through his mother, from several royal German–Dutch families such as the House of Lippe, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the House of Orange-Nassau, Waldeck and Pyrmont, and the House of Hohenzollern. He is descended from the first king of the Netherlands, William I of the Netherlands, who was also a ruler in Luxembourg and several German states, and all subsequent Dutch monarchs.

Through his mother, Willem-Alexander also descends from Paul I of Russia and thus from German princess Catherine the Great and Swedish King Gustav I. Through his father, he is also descended from several Dutch–Flemish families who left the Low Countries during Spanish rule, such as the Berenbergs. His paternal great-great-grandfather Gabriel von Amsberg, a major-general of Mecklenburg, was recognized as noble as late as 1891, the family having adopted the "von" in 1795.

Willem-Alexander is a descendant of King George II and, more relevant for his succession rights, of his granddaughter Princess Augusta of Great Britain. Under the British Act of Settlement, King Willem-Alexander temporarily forfeited his (distant) succession rights to the throne of the United Kingdom by marrying a Roman Catholic. This right has since been restored in 2015 under the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.

Finally, Willem-Alexander is also a distant descendent of William the Silent, who is held to be the Father of the Nation in the Netherlands, since John William Friso, a great-great-grandson of William the Silent, is known to be a common ancestor to all current European monarchs.

Ancestors of Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
8. Wilhelm von Amsberg
4. Claus Felix von Amsberg
9. Elise von Vieregge
2. Jonkheer Claus von Amsberg
10. Baron Georg von dem Bussche-Haddenhausen
5. Baroness Gösta von dem Bussche-Haddenhausen
11. Baroness Gabriele von dem Bussche-Ippenburg
1. Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
12. Prince Bernhard of Lippe
6. Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld
13. Baroness Armgard von Cramm
3. Beatrix of the Netherlands
14. Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
7. Juliana of the Netherlands
15. Wilhelmina of the Netherlands

References

  1. "Dutch Crown Prince quits IOC in preparation to become king". Sports Illustrated. 2013-01-29. Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
  2. "Prins Willem-Alexander neemt afscheid van Adviescommissie Water" [Prince Willem-Alexander says goodbye to the Water Advisory Committee]. de Volkskrant (in Dutch). 2013-04-16. Archived from the original on 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
  3. "Who We Are". United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation. Archived from the original on 2013-05-19. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
  4. "Willem-Alexander neemt afscheid als 'waterprins'" [Willem-Alexander says goodbye as 'water prince']. Trouw (in Dutch). 2013-03-21. Archived from the original on 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
  5. ^ "The Prince of Orange" (PDF). Dutch Royal House. May 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-05-09. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  6. "Doop Willem-Alexander" [Baptism of Willem-Alexander]. Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2009-03-31. Retrieved 2009-12-13.
  7. ^ "40 meest gestelde vragen" [40 most frequently asked questions]. Dutch Royal House (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2009-12-13.
  8. "Doopplechtigheid Prins Willem-Alexander in Sint Jacobskerk" [Baptism ceremony of Prince Willem-Alexander in St. Jacob Church: 3 parts]. Radio Netherlands Worldwide (in Dutch). 2009-04-27. Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2009-12-13.
  9. ^ "Z.M. koning Willem-Alexander, koning der Nederlanden, prins van Oranje-Nassau" [H.M. King Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau]. Parlement (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  10. Hoff, Ruud. "Leiden, 2 juli 1993" [Leiden, 2 July 1993]. ANP Historisch Archief Community. Archived from the original on 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  11. "Dutch royals in Leiden". Leiden University. 2019-04-26. Archived from the original on 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  12. "Prins Willem-Alexander blundert tijdens staatsbezoek Mexico" [Prince Willem-Alexander blunders during state visit to Mexico]. 925. 2009-11-05. Archived from the original on 2013-12-10. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  13. "Military career". Dutch Royal House. Archived from the original on 2009-11-24. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  14. "King will retain close relationship with armed forces". Ministry of Defence (Press release). 2013-04-11. Archived from the original on 2015-02-17. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
  15. "The Dutch Council of State". Raad van State. Archived from the original on 2022-03-14. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  16. "About UNSGAB". United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation. Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  17. ^ "Dutch King given Olympic gold order". ESPN. 2013-09-08. Archived from the original on 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  18. "Netherlands May Bid For 2028 Games". Gamesbids.com. 2008-08-14. Archived from the original on 2020-08-04.
  19. "Preparing for the role of monarch". Dutch Royal House. 2015-01-15. Archived from the original on 2021-12-31. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  20. "Position and role as head of state". Dutch Royal House. 2015-01-15. Archived from the original on 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  21. ^ "Dutch King Willem-Alexander reveals secret flights as first officer". BBC News. 2017-05-17. Archived from the original on 2017-05-17. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
  22. "FAQ – Dutch royalty". Radio Netherlands Worldwide. 2011. Archived from the original on 2013-01-27. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  23. Sephton, Connor (2017-05-17). "Dutch king reveals double life as an airline pilot for KLM". Sky News. Archived from the original on 2017-05-18. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
  24. Teunissen, Bas (2012-10-04). "FAQ: eleven facts about the Eleven Cities Race". Radio Netherlands Worldwide. Archived from the original on 2013-03-17. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  25. Brooks, James (2013-04-19). "Dutch abdication: Ten things you never knew about the royal family of the Netherlands". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  26. "Queen Máxima". Holland.com. 2012-06-06. Archived from the original on 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2023-08-25. Máxima Zorreguieta was born in Argentina on 17 May 1971.
  27. "Queen Máxima — Youth". Het Koninklijk Huis. 2015-01-15. Archived from the original on 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2023-08-25. Queen Máxima was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 17 May 1971 as Máxima Zorreguieta.
  28. "Máxima Zorreguieta". Paleis Het Loo. Archived from the original on 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  29. "Media Code". Dutch Royal House. 2005-06-21. Archived from the original on 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  30. "Royals sue Associated Press over holiday photos". NRC. 2005-08-05. Archived from the original on 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
  31. "Willem-Alexander wint rechtszaak tegen AP" [Willem-Alexander wins lawsuit against AP] (in Dutch). 2009-08-28. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08.
  32. ^ "Covid: Dutch king expresses regret over Greek holiday scandal". BBC News. 2020-10-21. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  33. "Villa Eikenhorst | De Horsten Royal Estates". Royal House of the Netherlands. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  34. "Drakensteyn Castle". Dutch Royal House. Archived from the original on 2021-04-17. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  35. "Dutch prince buys villa next to James Bond actor". BBC News. 2012-04-16. Archived from the original on 2012-04-17. Retrieved 2013-07-24.
  36. "Willem-Alexander wil huis voor kust Mozambique" [Willem-Alexander wants a house off the coast of Mozambique]. Trouw (in Dutch). 2008-07-10. Archived from the original on 2015-01-23. Retrieved 2015-01-23.
  37. Waterfield, Bruno (2009-10-10). Written at Brussels. "Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander accused over Mozambique villa". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  38. ^ "Prins had contact met president Mozambique". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 2009-11-19. Archived from the original on 2015-01-23. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  39. "Crown prince bows to public pressure over Mozambique villa". NRC. 2009-11-23. Archived from the original on 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
  40. "Prins verkoopt villa in Mozambique". Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (in Dutch). 2012-01-18. Archived from the original on 2015-01-23. Retrieved 2015-01-23.
  41. ^ "Aanspreektitels - Titels, aanspreektitels en beschermheerschappen - Het Koninklijk Huis". 2015-01-14.
  42. "Interview met Willem-Alexander" (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2007-03-07. Retrieved 2006-05-06.
  43. "Prince of Orange to become King Willem-Alexander". Archived from the original on 2015-10-07. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  44. "Koning Willem-Alexander erecommendeur van Johanniter Orde". Reformatorisch Dagblad (in Dutch). 2014-12-01. Archived from the original on 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
  45. "Máxima de Holanda, anfitriona de Juliana Awada en su visita de Estado a Holanda" [Máxima of the Netherlands, hostess of Juliana Awada on her state visit to the Netherlands]. El Confidencial (in Spanish). 2017-03-27. Archived from the original on 2017-05-18. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  46. "Boletim Oficial" [Official Bulletin]. Imprensa Nacional de Cabo Verde (in Portuguese). Vol. 1, no. 80. 2018-12-07. Archived from the original on 2022-03-27. Retrieved 2019-11-11.
  47. "Ordensdetaljer" [Order details]. borger.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on 2013-12-07. Retrieved 2019-11-11.
  48. "Kuningas Willem-Alexander" [King Willem-Alexander]. Office of the President of the Republic (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  49. King of Netherlands to visit Estonia next week - website of the Estionian public radio and television organisation Eesti Rahvusringhääling
  50. 265. Riiklike autasude andmine - website of the President of Estonia
  51. "Koning krijgt grootkruis van Legioen van Eer" [King receives Grand Cross of Legion of Honour]. De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 2014-01-20. Archived from the original on 2014-01-23.
  52. "Prince Willem-Alexander attends a state banquet offered by president" (JPG). Alamy. Archived from the original on 2017-04-03. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  53. "Queen Beatrix Netherlands Through the Years". Socialite Life. Archived from the original (JPG) on 2016-12-27. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  54. "Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander" (JPG). Alamy. Archived from the original on 2017-04-03. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  55. "van Oranje-Nassau S.M. Willem Alexander Claus George Decorato di Gran Cordone" [van Orange-Nassau H.M. Willem-Alexander Claus George Decorated with Grand Cordon]. Presidenza della Repubblica (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2017-09-07.
  56. "Gaikoku hito jokun jushō-sha meibo Heisei 26-nen" 外国人叙勲受章者名簿 平成26年 [List of recipients of foreign awards 2014]. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  57. "Par Triju Zvaigžņu ordeņa piešķiršanu" [On the awarding of the Order of the Three Stars]. Latvijas Vēstnesis (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  58. "Royal visit crowns Lithuanian-Dutch friendship". President of the Republic of Lithuania (Press release). Vilnius. 2018-06-13. Archived from the original on 2022-03-27. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  59. "Oman Observer" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-04-01.
  60. "[DNF] Fotoarchief Denieuwsfoto". www.ppe-agency.com.
  61. "Entidades Estrangeiras Agraciadas com Ordens Portuguesas" [Foreign Entities Awarded with Portuguese Orders]. Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2022-04-09. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  62. "Holandský kráľovský pár pricestoval na návštevu Slovenska". Prezidentka Slovenskej republiky. 2023-03-07.
  63. "President van de Republiek Korea, December 2023 - Foto en video - Het Koninklijk Huis". 2023-12-12.
  64. "x.com".
  65. "Real Decreto 349/2024" [Royal Decree 349/2024]. Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  66. "Real Decreto 1141" [Royal Decree 1141] (PDF). Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  67. "Prakāṣ̄ s̄ảnạk nāykrạṭ̄hmntrī" ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี [Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office] (PDF). ราชกิจจานุเบกษา (Press release) (in Thai). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-31. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  68. Willem-Alexander benoemd tot ridder in Orde van de Kousenband - Dutch online newspaper NU.nl
  69. King and Queen to visit Windsor: investuture in the Order of the Garter - official website of the Dutch royal house
  70. "Coats of arms". 2015-04-14. Archived from the original on 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  71. "Ancestors of Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands". Hein's Royal Genealogy Page. Archived from the original on 2021-12-27. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  72. Tebbe, F. J. J.; Aerts, W. D. E.; Cruyningen, Arnout van; Klare, Jean, eds. (2005). Encyclopedie van het Koninklijk Huis [Encyclopædia of the Royal House] (in Dutch). Utrecht: Winkler Prins. p. 17. ISBN 978-90-274-9745-1. OCLC 66011838. OL 33221156M – via Internet Archive.
  73. "Willem-Alexander maakt nu kans op de Britse troon" [Willem-Alexander now has a chance at the British throne]. Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (in Dutch). 2015-03-27. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2017-06-15.

External links

Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands House of Orange-NassauBorn: 27 April 1967
Regnal titles
VacantTitle last held byAlexander Prince of Orange
1980–2013
Succeeded byCatharina-Amalia
Dutch royalty
Preceded byBeatrix King of the Netherlands
2013–present
Incumbent
Heir apparent:
Catharina-Amalia
Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
Born (1967-04-27) 27 April 1967 (age 57)
Monarchies
Reign
Ancestry
Family
Links to related articles
Monarchs of the Netherlands
Kingdom of Holland
(1806–1810)
Kingdom of the Netherlands
(1815–present)
1. See also the Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands (1813–1815) and the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815–1839).
Prince or Princess of Orange
Dutch princes
Generations indicate descent from William I, the first king of the Netherlands.
1st generation
2nd generation
3rd generation
4th generation
5th generation
6th generation
7th generation
title granted by Royal Decree to consort of the Queen, without the title "Prince of Orange-Nassau"

gave up the title "Prince of the Netherlands, but still held the title "Prince of Orange-Nassau" title granted by Royal Decree to descendants of Princess Irene

only held the title "Prince of Orange-Nassau"
Current monarchs of sovereign states
Africa
Asia
Europe
Americas
Oceania
Heads of state of the European Union member states
Council of State of the Netherlands
President
Vice-President
Members
Advisory Members
Extraordinary Members
Ex officio Members
Current members of the Order of the Garter
Sovereign
Royal Knights
and Ladies (Companion)
Stranger Knights
and Ladies Companion
Knights and Ladies
Companion
Officers
Categories: