Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau

HM Queen Beatrix will abdicate the throne of the Netherlands in favor of her eldest son, HRH Prince Willem-Alexander on April 30th. The news was conveyed in a nationally televised speech, but the announcement itself is not a shock. The Queen was always expected to abdicate at some point, as it is tradition in the Dutch royal family with both her mother and grandmother doing the same. The timing, however, was unknown until today, but after personal tragedy last year put her son Prince Friso in...Read Full Story

Per the Dutch royal court (RVD): His Royal Highness Prince Friso, 19 November 2012 On behalf of the Royal Family, the Government Information Service wishes to issue the following communiqué. Since the skiing accident of His Royal Highness Prince Friso, the Government Information Service has indicated that it would make announcements on medically significant changes in the health situation of the Prince. Prince Friso has recently begun to show signs of limited awareness; a state commonly...Read Full Story

HRH Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau reportedly gave his family some hope last week as he opened his eyes briefly from the coma he has been in since February. Family friend Archbishop Desmond Tutu revealed the news, saying that Princess Mabel was with her husband when it happened. The Prince, 44, opened his eyes and smiled at Mabel briefly before slipping back into his coma. The news is the only reported change in the Prince’s condition since he suffered severe brain damage after being trapped...Read Full Story

Monday was Queen’s Day in the Netherlands as citizens dressed in orange and joined in the country’s annual party to celebrate the birthday of HM Queen Beatrix.  Members of the royal family, including Princess Margriet’s sons and daughters-in-law who rarely take on public engagements, were out in Rhenen to join in the games and activities.  Notably missing were TRH Prince Friso and Princess Mabel, as the Prince remains in a coma following a skiing accident in February.  In the Queen’s remarks...Read Full Story