Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands

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Willem-Alexander
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in 2013
King of the Netherlands
Reign30 April 2013 – present
PredecessorBeatrix
Heiress apparentCatharina-Amalia
Prime MinisterMark Rutte
Born (1967-04-27) 27 April 1967 (age 56)
Utrecht, Netherlands
SpouseMáxima Zorreguieta
Issue
Detail		Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange
Princess Alexia
Princess Ariane
Full name
Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand
HouseOrange-Nassau
FatherClaus von Amsberg
MotherBeatrix of the Netherlands
ReligionProtestant

Willem-Alexander (Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand; born 27 April 1967), is the King of the Netherlands. He is the eldest child of Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus. He has been the head of the House of Amsberg since the death of his father in 2002. He served in the Dutch military. He studied history at Leiden University. King Willem-Alexander is interested in international water management issues and sports. He married Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti in 2002. They have three daughters: Princess Catharina-Amalia (born 2003), Princess Alexia (born 2005), and Princess Ariane (born 2007).

On 28 January 2013, the king's mother announced in a television broadcast that she would abdicate the throne. That made Willem-Alexander, King on 30 April 2013.[1] He is the first king of the Netherlands since the death of his great-great-grandfather, William III, in 1890.[2]

Titles and styles and Honors and Military Ranks[change | change source]

  • 27 April 1967 – 30 April 1980: His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau
  • 30 April 1980 – 30 April 2013: His Royal Highness The Prince of Orange, Prince of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau
  • 30 April 2013 – present: His Majesty The King of the Netherlands
  • Military Ranks
  • 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
  • Lieutenant at sea, second class (senior grade) (Lieutenant) (1988-1995)
  • Lieutenant at sea, first class (Lieutenant Commander) (1995-1997)
  • Captain-lieutenant at sea (Commander) (1997-2001)
  • Captain at Sea (2001-2005)
  • Commodore (2005-2013)
  • Royal Netherlands Air Force-reserve
  • Squadron Leader (1995-2005)
  • Air Commodore (2005-2013)
  • National
  • Grand Master of the Military William Order
  • Grand Master and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
  • Grand Master of the Order of Orange-Nassau
  • Co-Grand Master and Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
  • Grand Master and Grand Cross of the Order of the House of Orange
  • Grand Master of the Order of the Crown
  • Grand Master of the Order for Loyalty and Merit
  • Honorary Commander of the Order of Saint John in the Netherlands
  • Grand Master of the Order of the Golden Ark
  • Recipient of the Eleven Cities Cross
  • Recipient of the Officer Long Service Cross
  • Recipient of the Queen Beatrix Inauguration Medal
  • Recipient of the Wedding Medal of Prince Willem-Alexander to Maxima Zorruigeta

He was the first male heir apparent to the Dutch throne since Prince Alexander, son of King William III, who died in 1884. Prince Willem-Alexander had indicated that if he became king, he would take the name William IV,[3] but it was announced on 28 January 2013 that his regnal name would be Willem-Alexander.[4]

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ "Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands to abdicate for son". BBC. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  2. ↑ (in Dutch) Prins van Oranje wordt koning Willem-Alexander
  3. ↑ Interview with Paul Witteman Archived 2007-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, September 1997, Racchvs.com
  4. ↑ "Prince of Orange to become King Willem-Alexander". Archived from the original on 2015-10-07. Retrieved 2013-04-30.

Other websites[change | change source]

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Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
Born: 27 April 1967
Regnal titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Alexander 		Prince of Orange
1980–2013 		Succeeded by
Catharina-Amalia
Dutch royalty
Preceded by
Beatrix 		King of the Netherlands
2013–present 		Incumbent
Heir apparent:
Catharina-Amalia
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