Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, 19, has a striped waistcoat-and-trouser set that’s traveled farther than she has. Her big sister, Princess Amalia, 22, borrowed it for a trip to New York. In the Dutch royal household, that’s simply how dressing up works.
Swapping clothes is one of the few style habits the three daughters of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima share. They trade pieces with each other, and with their famously chic mother, then restyle them for each occasion. Their wardrobes go in three directions: Amalia, the heir, favors polished restraint. Alexia, 21, takes on trends and riskier combinations. And Ariane, the youngest, is settling into something more relaxed and natural.
That range is why they’ve become style references for many young women. In Europe’s royal houses, the newest generation inherits more than titles and official duties. It also has an influence over what people, especially young people, want to wear. Here's how Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane do it, look by look.
© Patrick van KatwijkAmalia, the heir to elegance
At official engagements, Princess Catharina-Amalia stays loyal to a classic, sophisticated aesthetic that suits her role as heir to the throne. Her go-tos are midi dresses, tailored suits and clean-lined coats in a palette of neutrals like beige, navy and black. Now and then she adds emerald green or deep red, which lets her stand out without losing her composure.
Her most formal wardrobe draws on Belgian labels Natan and Essentiel Antwerp, as well as American designer Monique Lhuillier. It was a Monique Lhuillier gown that turned heads at the October 2025 gala in Luxembourg celebrating Grand Duke Guillaume’s accession: a deep green, off-the-shoulder ball gown fit for a future queen. For official events, she completes her looks with Gianvito Rossi shoes, a coveted Cartier Panthère watch and luxury bags like the iconic red Chanel Classic Jumbo she inherited from Queen Máxima.
© ANP/AFP via Getty ImagesAway from protocol, Amalia goes for comfort without giving up polish. For the family’s traditional photo sessions, vacations and more relaxed appearances, she tends to wear wide-leg jeans, poplin shirts and flats or even sneakers. She’s also stepped out in a preppy minidress with tall boots, a look that managed to be modern and classic at once. That more casual closet is full of Spanish brands like Massimo Dutti, Zara, and Mango.
Taken together, her personal style conveys real maturity, reflecting the balance between her age and the responsibility that awaits her.
© Patrick van KatwijkAlexia, the trend-setter
If Amalia represents tradition, Alexia breaks with it. She brings a fresh, contemporary energy to the Dutch royal family and has become one of Europe’s young princesses with the strongest personal style. For official events, she reaches for modern silhouettes and bold colors, and she isn’t afraid of a piece that’s squarely on trend.
© WireImagePrinsjesdag, or Prince’s Day, on September 16, 2025, proved the point. The annual opening of the parliamentary year comes with one of the most traditional dress codes on the Dutch royal calendar. Alexia answered it with a dramatic one-shoulder cape gown in deep aubergine from Solace London. Instead of the usual statement hat, she wore a small floral headpiece. She finished the look with Castañer wedges and a Zara clutch borrowed from her mother.
Off duty, Alexia reflects the ease and freedom of her generation. Her life abroad has shaped her personal style, and she has a clear weakness for Sandro, Maje, Ba&sh and Zara, usually paired with boho accessories. Printed minidresses, matching two-piece sets, oversized blazers and tall boots have all been in heavy rotation. Her way of dressing feels spontaneous, and it shows that royal fashion can be fun and approachable.
© Patrick van KatwijkAriane, the most natural
Ariane is the softest, simplest expression of Dutch royal elegance. At official events, she’s found a balance between youthful and protocol-appropriate, and she made that clear at her very first Prinsjesdag in 2025. She arrived in a navy satin gown by Victoria Beckham, styled with coordinating gloves and a veiled cocktail hat, a Philip Treacy design from her mother’s collection.
For public appearances with the family, Ariane leans toward pastels, light fabrics and clean cuts from labels like Massimo Dutti, Sandro and & Other Stories, all of which speak to her minimalist streak. Off the clock, comfort wins.
© Patrick van KatwijkAt the family’s recent summer photo calls, she’s relied on shirtdresses, knit vests and linen trousers, some from Mango or H&M, to get through the warm days. And yes, she’s the sister behind that striped set Amalia borrowed in New York.
Ariane’s soft, easy combinations feel true to her age, and they show a sense of style that clearly runs in the family.
If Amalia is formality and Alexia is experimentation, Ariane is the sweet spot between them: fresh, discreet and effortlessly elegant.
© Patrick van Katwijk
