On Christmas Eve, the Dutch Royal House shared its best wishes for the festive season. The family sent a Christmas card that read: “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” and was signed by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, featuring its message in five languages: Dutch, English, Spanish, Frisian, and Papiamento. The message is accompanied by a family photograph, with Princess Amalia as the central figure, representing the future of the crown.

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The image shows Amalia with her graduation cap. This year, the Princess completed her degree in Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics (PPLE), graduating last July at the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. It was an emotional day where she posed for multiple photos while wearing the traditional mortarboard, surrounded by her family, including her parents, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima; her grandmother, Princess Beatrix; and her sisters, Princesses Alexia and Ariane.

It is worth recalling that the Princess of Orange, who turned 22 this December, spent a period of her studies in Madrid, after being forced to leave the Dutch capital following various threats against her life that put her security at risk. From Spain, King Felipe VI’s goddaughter was able to continue her studies and, despite the extraordinary and difficult circumstances that brought her to the country, she remembers it as “a wonderful time.” In a sweet gesture, she donated tulips, her country’s national flower, to the Spanish capital. They were planted opposite the Royal Palace in a ceremony she herself presided over.

Amalia’s graduation marked the beginning of a new challenge, one where she’ll occupy a more prominent role in the institution. She is currently pursuing a new degree in Dutch Law at the University of Amsterdam, while receiving her military training. In September, she was appointed a member of the Armed Forces reserve, holding the rank of third-class seaman in the Royal Netherlands Navy and third-class private in both the Army and the Royal Netherlands Air Force. 

Amalia’s notoriety over the past twelve months has been growing, having an agenda packed with engagements. She began the year by making her debut at an international event that became a gathering of European royalty and leaders — the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. One month later, she carried out her first solo official engagement within the Netherlands at the request of the Ministry of Defence. She has also taken part in meetings with NATO leaders, military ceremonies, the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the proclamation of Luxembourg’s new Head of State, and the anniversary of the founding of the city of Amsterdam. She’s also a regular fixture at state dinners.

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Her Christmas plans

Christmas is a family-centered time that the House of Orange spends in private. In past years, they have traveled to Argentina, where the menu typically revolves around a barbecue. Amalia herself has also shared that in her mother’s homeland, they like to pursue horseback riding, one of her greatest passions. When they stay home, at Huis ten Bosch Palace, they often host relatives and friends, with whom they enjoy Argentine pan dulce, a delicacy similar to panettone. They also like to give each other presents, leaving them under the tree and opening them on Christmas Day.

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