Queen Maxima once swam a river in Amsterdam to support a cause that was near to her heart. When her daughter, Princess Ariana, was five years old, Maxima swam one of the capital city's canals to gather funds for Multiple Sclerosis, battling low temperatures. Now, it's been a decade later, and Princess Ariane has taken on her mother's mantle, swimming in the channel as she kicks off her sabbatical year, with her parents supporting her at the finish line.
The Royal Family hadn't participated in the event since 2012, when Queen Maxima completed the challenge in September. On this occasion, Princess Ariane's swim was made in partnership with the ELA Foundation, raising money for the ALS Foundation.
A video shared on social media showed the Princess walking out of the canal alongside other participants in the Amsterdam City Swim. She wore a wetsuit and was welcomed by her parents, Maxima and King Willem-Alexander, who kissed her cheek and embraced her with pride. They were accompanied by their family dog, who also welcomed the Princess back to land.
"A surprise in the Amsterdam canals today: Princess Ariane is participating in the swimming event Amsterdam City Swim," reads the post's caption. "The princess is swimming along to raise as much money as possible for the ALS Foundation. She was encouraged by her parents along the way. After fifty minutes of swimming, she reached the finish line and was able to receive her medal."
The swim was made up of two kilometers in the Marineterrain, located in the heart of Amsterdam.
Ariane's future
This year, Princess Ariane celebrated her 18th birthday and is preparing for adulthood. This marks her first public appearance ever since she confirmed that she'd be following in her elder sisters' footsteps, taking a sabbatical year as she prepares for the next stage of her education.
Throughout this time, the Princess will focus on traveling, embracing new experiences, and exploring what she wants to do with her future. Last May, the Princess graduated from high school, acquiring a degree from the United World College of the Adriatic, located in Duino, Italy.