Willem-Alexander to be first Dutch king in 123 years

AMSTERDAM — Even the future king of the Netherlands sowed some wild oats as a student when he was known as the king of pilsner because of his love of beer.

A few years later, Willem-Alexander became a serious U.N. expert on water and environmental protection. His princess – Maxima, 41, from Argentina – and his three daughters – Amalia, 9; Alexia, 7; and Ariane, 5 – have made the 45-year-old crown prince envied among many of Europe’s royals.

Willem-Alexander in past years has represented the Dutch monarchy in and outside the country on behalf of his mother, Queen Beatrix, who on Monday said she would abdicate, clearing the way for Willem-Alexander to become the first male monarch in the country in more than 120 years.

Willem-Alexander has been the queen’s stand-in so frequently that some in the Netherlands had asked whether Willem-Alexander might become a sort of Prince Charles behind the dikes, a reference to the 65-year-old British crown prince whose mother, 86-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, has been on the thrown for more than 60 years. But unlike Britain, where monarchs mostly reign until death, abdication is more common in the Netherlands.

Although it sometimes has been rumored that he is impatient, Willem-Alexander has always appeared outwardly as his mother’s most important supporter. Friendly and demure, he has appeared as though he has appreciated the duties of a king in waiting.

He took the advice of his father, German-born Prince Claus, and took an interest in water management – fitting for a country that has reclaimed 20 percent of its land from the sea, runs a huge system of canals and pump stations and is vulnerable to climate change. His father died in 2002.

For many years, the prince worked as an adviser to the United Nations on water management. A sports enthusiast, he also was a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Like his mother, Willem-Alexander studied at the University of Leiden and graduated in 1993 with a degree in history. One of his professors called him “not intellectual, but intelligent,” which was well-received by the Dutch public.

As prince of Orange, he served in the Dutch Royal Navy from August 1985 to January 1987.

He also received much public praise for marrying a commoner equally as attractive as she is down-to-earth, which helped strengthen the family’s reputation for solidarity with the people.

The couple brought a breath of fresh air into the royal household and have been groomed for years to take on their new roles.

Public opinion polls showed that the future king, who will be crowned April 30 as Willem IV, ranks behind his spirited spouse in popularity. It’s no surprise then that the Dutch enthusiastically accept the idea that Princess Maxima would be allowed to bear the title of queen.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Traffic idles while waiting for the lights to change along 33rd Avenue West on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood seeks solutions to Costco traffic boondoggle

Let’s take a look at the troublesome intersection of 33rd Avenue W and 30th Place W, as Lynnwood weighs options for better traffic flow.

A memorial with small gifts surrounded a utility pole with a photograph of Ariel Garcia at the corner of Alpine Drive and Vesper Drive ion Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Death of Everett boy, 4, spurs questions over lack of Amber Alert

Local police and court authorities were reluctant to address some key questions, when asked by a Daily Herald reporter this week.

The new Amazon fulfillment center under construction along 172nd Street NE in Arlington, just south of Arlington Municipal Airport. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20210708
Frito-Lay leases massive building at Marysville business park

The company will move next door to Tesla and occupy a 300,0000-square-foot building at the Marysville business park.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
1 dead in motorcycle crash on Highway 522 in Maltby

Authorities didn’t have any immediate details about the crash that fully blocked the highway Friday afternoon.

A memorial with small gifts surrounded a utility pole with a photograph of Ariel Garcia at the corner of Alpine Drive and Vesper Drive ion Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mom charged with first-degree murder in death of son, 4

On Friday, prosecutors charged Janet Garcia, 27, three weeks after Ariel Garcia went missing from an Everett apartment.

Dr. Mary Templeton (Photo provided by Lake Stevens School District)
Lake Stevens selects new school superintendent

Mary Templeton, who holds the top job in the Washougal School District, will take over from Ken Collins this summer.

A closed road at the Heather Lake Trail parking lot along the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County, Washington on Wednesday, July 20, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mountain Loop Highway partially reopens Friday

Closed since December, part of the route to some of the region’s best hikes remains closed due to construction.

Emma Dilemma, a makeup artist and bikini barista for the last year and a half, serves a drink to a customer while dressed as Lily Munster Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at XO Espresso on 41st Street in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
After long legal battle, Everett rewrites bikini barista dress code

Employees now have to follow the same lewd conduct laws as everyone else, after a judge ruled the old dress code unconstitutional.

The oldest known meteor shower, Lyrid, will be falling across the skies in mid- to late April 2024. (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
Clouds to dampen Lyrid meteor shower views in Western Washington

Forecasters expect a storm will obstruct peak viewing Sunday. Locals’ best chance at viewing could be on the coast. Or east.

AquaSox's Travis Kuhn and Emerald's Ryan Jensen an hour after the game between the two teams on Sunday continue standing in salute to the National Anthem at Funko Field on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New AquaSox stadium downtown could cost up to $120M

That’s $40 million more than an earlier estimate. Alternatively, remodeling Funko Field could cost nearly $70 million.

Downtown Everett, looking east-southeast. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20191022
5 key takeaways from hearing on Everett property tax increase

Next week, City Council members will narrow down the levy rates they may put to voters on the August ballot.

Everett police officers on the scene of a single-vehicle collision on Evergreen Way and Olivia Park Road Wednesday, July 5, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Photo provided by Everett Police Department)
Everett man gets 3 years for driving high on fentanyl, killing passenger

In July, Hunter Gidney crashed into a traffic pole on Evergreen Way. A passenger, Drew Hallam, died at the scene.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.