European royals are slowly returning to their official duties. While both the King and Queen of Denmark and Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel have already resumed theirs, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands made an unexpected appearance, outside of his official agenda, at one of the country’s most traditional and anticipated nautical events, SAIL Amsterdam.
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© Getty ImagesAfter his controversial summer vacation, the Dutch king sailed aboard the “Green Dragon,” a boat owned by Princess Beatrix. His sister-in-law, Princess Mabel, and his niece, 20-year-old Countess Luana, joined him. Meanwhile, the question everyone is asking is the same: where are Queen Máxima and their three daughters, Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane?
© Getty ImagesThe last time we saw Queen Máxima of the Netherlands was on August 15, when, in the middle of her vacation, she attended the emotional pilgrimage to the Church of Agios Nikolaos on the Greek island of Spetses with her daughters Alexia and Ariane. The visit, full of meaning and spirituality, has become a tradition whenever they spend time at their exclusive villa in Kranidi, a luxurious seaside property on the Aegean that they purchased in 2012 for nearly five million euros. The residence, with its private port, three independent houses, and privileged views, has become their regular retreat, although not without its share of controversy.
© grigoriosnanakoudisThe absence of the Queen and her daughters remains a mystery, since this event is not part of the official agenda of the Dutch royal family. King Willem of the Netherlands has previously been seen on the royal ship. Nor is it unusual for Princess Mabel, widow of Prince Friso, who passed away in 2013 after the tragic skiing accident in Lech, Austria, to accompany her brother-in-law at the event. In fact, her eldest daughter, Countess Luana, is also attending SAIL Amsterdam for the second time, as she was present at the 2015 edition as well.
© Getty ImagesAlthough Princess Mabel of the Netherlands, whom Princess Beatrix’s middle son gave up his dynastic rights to marry, lives in London with her daughters, Luana and Zaria, she is often seen at certain events in the Netherlands. Her successful investments have enabled her to become one of the wealthiest women in the country over the years. The magazine Quote 500 even ranked her at the top of its list of the great fortunes of the Netherlands. All of this is the result of her sharp instinct for stock market and real estate investments.
© Getty ImagesThroughout the day, all eyes were on young Luana of Orange-Nassau who, despite keeping a very low profile, has been seen on more than one occasion with the Dutch royal family thanks to her love of sports. Beyond this surprise appearance, in 2023 she joined the King and Queen and their three daughters at Formula 1, images that highlighted the close bond she shares with her father’s family and especially with Alexia, since they are the same age.
