The son of Baron Claus von Amsberg and Baroness Gösta von Amsberg, Prince Claus became part of the Dutch royal family's history during a period that initially brought considerable public attention and controversy.
Born in Germany, his background became a sensitive subject when his relationship with the future Queen Beatrix was first made public.
© REPORTERS ASSOCIESDecades later, however, Claus is remembered for the lasting legacy he left within the Dutch royal family. Now, Princess Beatrix is preparing to honor her late husband with a particularly meaningful visit connected to the earliest chapter of his life.
Remembering Prince Claus 100 years after his birth:
The love story between Beatrix of the Netherlands and the German aristocrat began at the wedding of Princess Tatiana, whose brother had been considered a possible match for the future Dutch queen.
It was there that Beatrix and Claus crossed paths, beginning a relationship that would ultimately become an important part of the history of the House of Orange-Nassau.
© MARCEL ANTONISSEClaus fell in love with the then-princess, and his life was about to change considerably. After completing his education and training and pursuing a career in the diplomatic service, he eventually won the heart of the heir to the Dutch throne.
Their relationship was not without challenges. Claus' German background and his experiences during World War II generated controversy in the Netherlands, where memories of the war remained particularly sensitive.
That tension became especially apparent on June 28, 1965, when Beatrix announced their engagement and the couple faced public opposition to their relationship. Over time, however, their warmth and approachability helped change perceptions, and Claus gradually earned the affection of the Dutch people.
© BettmannWhen Queen Juliana abdicated in favor of her daughter on April 30, 1980, Claus embraced his role as prince consort. He developed a deep interest in the cultural and social life of his adopted country and was a devoted father to the couple's three sons: Willem-Alexander, Friso and Constantijn.
After nearly four decades together, Beatrix lost her husband in 2002. Prince Claus died at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam at the age of 76 after suffering from pneumonia.
The royal family experienced another profound loss years later when Prince Friso died in 2013 following complications from a skiing accident in Austria. That same year, Beatrix abdicated in favor of her eldest son, Willem-Alexander.
© BettmannNow, Prince Claus' memory will once again be celebrated through a visit rooted in family history and remembrance.
Princess Beatrix will travel alongside her two sons, King Willem-Alexander and Prince Constantijn, to Hitzacker, Germany, the town where Prince Claus was born. There, the family will revisit places connected to his early life and learn more about the roots of the man who became such an important figure in the Dutch royal family.
© Sepia TimesDuring the visit, they will walk through the town connected to Claus' childhood, plant a tree in his memory and learn more about his family's history.
The September 6 visit will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Prince Claus' birth and celebrate a man who, through his warmth, patience and dedication, ultimately earned the affection of many who had initially been uncertain about his place within the Dutch monarchy.
One hundred years after his birth, Beatrix's journey to his birthplace alongside their sons will be a deeply personal tribute to a husband, father and prince whose legacy remains an important part of the modern Dutch royal family.
