Tomorrow is the day that Prince Willem-Alexander becomes the King of the Netherlands. It's a big deal. I've even seen two commercials that were talking about that while I was watching "Touch". So... It truly is a big deal.
Prince Willem-Alexander was born on April 27, 1967 as Prince Willem-Alexander Claus George erdinand. He was born to Prince Claus of the Netherlands and then, Beatrix, Princess of Orange. Willem-Alexander has two younger brothers, Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau (b. 1968) and Prince Constantijn (b. 1969).
Prince Willem-Alexander attended Niuewe Baarnse Elementary School in Baarn from 1973 to 1979. He attended three different high schools. After school, he went into the military service. He performed it at the Royal Netherlands Navy from August of 1985 to January of 1987. He got his training at the Royal Netherlands Naval College and the frigates HNLMS Tromp and HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen where he was an ensign. In 1988, he received additional training at the ship of HNLMS Van Kinsbergen and became a lieutenant (junior grade). In 1987, Willem-Alexander studied history at Leiden University and received his academic degree in 1993.
Since 1985, when Willem-Alexander was 18, he is a member of the Council of State of the Netherlands. Willem-Alexander was named a patron of the Dutch Olympic Games Committe. Until 1998, when he was named a member of the IOC (International Olympic Committee). Willem-Alexander is passionate abut having the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Amsterdam.
Willem-Alexander went to the Seville Spring Fair in Seville, Spain in 1999. While there, he met Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti. When they first met, he introduced himself as just "Alexander." Willem-Alexander and Máxima became more serious and Willem-Alexander revealed himself as a prince. Maxima replied saying, "Yeah right."
On March 30 2001 - Queen Beatrix as well as the prime minister of the Netherlands happily announced their engagement. Willem-Alexander present Máxima with an orange oval diamond with two smaller wife diamonds surrounding it.
Royal couples always need to seek approval from thier parliament to marry their fiance or fiancee, unless you no longer want to be part of the line of succession. The Dutch Parliament questioned whether or not that the two should marry because of Máxima's father. Willem-Alexander and Máxima later decided that they wouldn't invite Máxima's mother or father. The Parliament approved.
The couple married in a civic and religious wedding ceremony both on February 2, 2002. They married in the Beurs van Berlage (for the civic wedding) in Amsterdam. The went to Nieuwe Kerk ("New Church") in Amsterdam to have their religious wedding.
The couple has three beautiful daughter, Catharina-Amalia (b. December 7, 2003), Princess Alexia (b. June 26, 2005), and Princess Ariane (b. April 10, 2007).
Then, this year, on January 31st, Queen Beatrix's 75th birthday. She announced she would abdicate in favour fo her son, Prince Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange. This will be a joyus, sad, and heartfelt moment for the Dutch Royal Family and for the people of the Netherlands.
Information: Wikipedia
Photos: Google (Key Words: "Prince Willem-Alexander", "Prince Willem-Alexander young", "Prince Willem-Alexander, Princess Maxima, Queen Beatrix", "Prince Willem-Alexander Engagement",
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