Oranje Legacy: Unraveling Dutch Royal Ties Quiz

Answer: Prince Claus

Prince Claus of the Netherlands was born Claus von Amsberg on September 6, 1926, in Dötzingen, Lower Saxony, Germany. He married Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (then Princess Beatrix) on March 10, 1966. They had three sons: Willem-Alexander, Johan Friso, and Constantijn. Willem-Alexander succeeded his mother as the King of the Netherlands in 2013.

Prince Claus was a German diplomat before his marriage, and his engagement to Princess Beatrix initially led to some controversy in the Netherlands due to his German nationality and the recent history of World War II. Over the years, however, he became a much-loved and respected figure in Dutch society, known for his intellect, humility, and commitment to social issues.

Prince Claus was heavily involved in various international developmental projects and humanitarian work, particularly in Africa. He was interested in sustainable development, and many initiatives in the Netherlands and abroad bear his influence.

He suffered from various health issues later in life, including depression and Parkinson's disease, and passed away on October 6, 2002. His marriage to Queen Beatrix was widely regarded as a strong and supportive partnership. He played a significant role in modernizing the Dutch monarchy and was considered a progressive force within the royal family.

Answer: Laurentien

Prince Constantijn married Laurentien Brinkhorst in 2001. They have three children: Countess Eloise, Count Claus-Casimir, and Countess Leonore. The family leads a relatively private life compared to other members of the Dutch royal family, although they do appear at official functions and significant family events.

Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands was born on October 11, 1969, in Utrecht, the Netherlands. He is the youngest son of Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus and is the younger brother of King Willem-Alexander and the late Prince Johan Friso. Unlike his eldest brother, who is the reigning king, Prince Constantijn has generally maintained a lower public profile and has focused his career primarily in the fields of technology, innovation, and the arts.

While he undertakes some royal duties and responsibilities, Prince Constantijn has largely focused on his professional career, which differentiates him from royals who serve in a more traditional, ceremonial capacity. Despite this, he remains a member of the Dutch royal family and is in the line of succession, although the likelihood of him ascending to the throne is very low, given that his older brother King Willem-Alexander has three daughters.

Answer: Maxima

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands was born Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti on May 17, 1971, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As of this moment (2023) she is still married to King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, who became king on April 30, 2013, succeeding his mother, Queen Beatrix.

Máxima has a degree in Economics from the Universidad Católica Argentina, and, before her marriage, she worked in finance and banking, holding positions at international companies like HSBC and Deutsche Bank. She met Willem-Alexander in Seville, Spain, during the Seville Spring Fair in 1999. At the time, she was not aware that he was a prince. They announced their engagement in 2001 and married on February 2, 2002.

The marriage was initially subject to some debate and controversy in the Netherlands due to the fact that Máxima's father, Jorge Zorreguieta, had been a minister during Argentina's "Dirty War," a period of state terrorism. Due to the controversy, her father did not attend the wedding.

After their marriage, Máxima quickly became a popular figure in the Netherlands. She is noted for her charisma, fashion sense, and efforts to integrate into Dutch culture, including becoming fluent in the Dutch language. She also received Dutch citizenship through royal prerogative.

In her role as queen consort, Máxima has been involved in a number of social issues, especially those related to integration, culture, and financial inclusion. She has also represented the Netherlands on the international stage, including at the United Nations, where she has served as a Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development. Máxima has been involved in various organizations and foundations and has a particular interest in issues like mental health, education, and the arts.

Answer: Orange

The Dutch royal family is closely associated with the color orange. This association stems from the House of Orange-Nassau, from which the current royal family descends. As a result, the color orange symbolizes Dutch royal heritage and national identity.

This connection is so strong that the Dutch national teams wear orange, and on national occasions like King's Day, the country is awash in orange, with citizens donning orange attire and participating in "orange-themed" festivities.

Answer: Villla Eikenhorst

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, along with their children, lived at Villa Eikenhorst on the De Horsten estate in Wassenaar, near The Hague. Willem-Alexander wasn't yet king for the entirety of this period; he became king on April 30, 2013, upon the abdication of his mother, Queen Beatrix.

King Willem-Alexander and his family moved from Villa Eikenhorst to Huis ten Bosch Palace in 2019 after extensive renovations and refurbishments of Huis ten Bosch Palace were completed. The palace had been undergoing renovations since 2014, and once they were complete, it became the official residence of the Dutch royal family. Huis ten Bosch Palace, located in The Hague, is one of the three palaces placed at the disposal of the monarch by the Act of the Royal House, and it has traditionally been the residence of the reigning monarch.

Answer: skiing accident

Prince Johan Friso, the second son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Prince Claus, was born on September 25, 1968. Tragically, he was involved in a severe skiing accident on February 17, 2012, in Lech, Austria. He was buried in an avalanche while skiing off-piste and was trapped under the snow for about 25 minutes before being rescued. Despite the rapid medical response, he suffered significant brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.

After the accident, Prince Johan Friso was initially treated in Innsbruck and later transferred to a hospital in London, where he lived with his family. His wife, Mabel Wisse Smit, whom he married in 2004, and their two daughters, Luana and Zaria, stayed by his side throughout this period. He remained in a state of "minimal consciousness" for more than a year following the accident.

On July 12, 2013, it was announced that he had been moved back to the Netherlands, but he passed away from complications on August 12, 2013. His death was a somber moment for the Dutch royal family and the nation at large.

It's worth noting that Johan Friso had given up his claim to the throne when he married Mabel Wisse Smit, as the Dutch parliament did not give its required approval for the marriage. Despite this, he remained a beloved member of the royal family. He was an engineer by training, having studied at UC Berkeley and the Delft University of Technology, and had a career in business, particularly in the fields of investment and financial consulting.

Answer: Irene, Margriet and Christina

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, born on January 31, 1938, is the eldest daughter of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. She has three younger sisters:

Princess Irene of the Netherlands (born August 5, 1939) caused a considerable stir when she converted to Catholicism and married Carlos Hugo, Duke of Parma, who was a Carlist pretender to the Spanish throne. Her marriage led her to lose her rights to the Dutch throne, but she has remained involved in various environmental and humanitarian causes.

Princess Margriet of the Netherlands (born January 19, 1943) is perhaps the most traditional of Beatrix's sisters, undertaking many public duties and roles commonly associated with royalty. She is also involved in various charitable organizations and is a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Princess Christina of the Netherlands (February 18, 1947 - August 16, 2019) was born nearly blind due to her mother's contracting rubella during pregnancy. Later medical treatments improved her eyesight somewhat. She renounced her rights to the throne upon marrying a commoner, Jorge Guillermo, and lived for many years in New York City. Christina passed away in 2019 after suffering from bone cancer.

Answer: Catherina-Amalia

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands have three daughters:

Princess Catharina-Amalia, also known as the Princess of Orange, was born on December 7, 2003. As the eldest daughter, she is the heir apparent to the Dutch throne.
Princess Alexia was born on June 26, 2005.
Princess Ariane was born on April 10, 2007.

These princesses are often seen at public events and are being raised with an awareness of their future roles and responsibilities. However, the royal couple has also tried to give them as normal an upbringing as possible, considering their unique positions.

Princess Catharina-Amalia, as the heir apparent, has been receiving a more specialized education to prepare her for her future role as the monarch, but all three daughters are being educated in a manner befitting their status as members of the royal family, with a focus on not just academic but also social responsibilities.

Answer: April 27

Koningsdag, or King's Day, is a national holiday in the Netherlands celebrated on April 27th, which is the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. The day is marked by nationwide festivities, including parties, concerts, and special events. Prior to the accession of King Willem-Alexander, the holiday was known as Koninginnedag, or Queen's Day, and was celebrated on April 30th, which was the birthday of Queen Juliana, the grandmother of King Willem-Alexander. Queen Beatrix, his mother, retained this date for Queen's Day during her reign even though her own birthday is on January 31st.

The most important highlights and traditions associated with Koningsdag:
Wearing Orange: One of the most visible traditions is the wearing of the color orange, which is associated with the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. People often wear orange clothing, hats, and accessories, and even dye their hair orange for the occasion.

Vrijmarkt (Free Market): One of the unique aspects of King's Day is the "vrijmarkt," which allows people to set up stalls and sell various items without requiring a permit. This tradition turns the country into one gigantic flea market for a day, with people selling everything from second-hand clothes to homemade food.

Royal Visit: It's a tradition for members of the royal family to visit one or several towns or cities on King's Day. The visit typically includes performances, demonstrations, and a chance for locals to meet the royals.

Koningsdag is a day when the Dutch celebrate their unity and national identity. It is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the country and offers a glimpse into Dutch culture and traditions.

Answer: Paleis Noordeinde

The palace of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands is the Noordeinde Palace, located in The Hague. The Noordeinde Palace is one of the three official palaces of the Dutch royal family, along with the Royal Palace in Amsterdam and Huis ten Bosch Palace, also in The Hague. While Huis ten Bosch serves as the residential palace for King Willem-Alexander and his family, Noordeinde Palace is where the king conducts most of his official duties, including receiving foreign diplomats, holding meetings, and carrying out other state functions.

Noordeinde Palace has a long history and has undergone various modifications over the centuries. It serves not only as a workspace for the king but also as a symbol of the Dutch monarchy. The palace and its gardens are occasionally opened to the public, allowing people to glimpse the royal lifestyle and the history encapsulated within its walls.

The area around the Noordeinde Palace, known for its art galleries and antique shops, is also one of the more elegant parts of The Hague.