Queen Máxima of the Netherlands was seen again last weekend on the occasion of a very significant event for her. The queen of the Netherlands and her husband, King Willem-Alexander, attended the graduation ceremony of their youngest daughter, Princess Ariane. It was a notable date on which the monarchs, however, did not have the presence of the heir, Princess Amalia, since she was preparing for her final exams.
The heir is currently studying politics, psychology, law, and economics at the University of Amsterdam. This program requires great effort and dedication, which is why the woman who is destined to occupy the Dutch throne was absent from her sister's graduation.
This is a circumstance similar to what happened with Leonor de Borbón at her sister Infanta Sofía's graduation. It was also last Saturday when the youngest daughter of the kings of Spain completed her studies at UWC of Wales. The Princess of Asturias, just like the heir to the Dutch throne, was absent, giving all the spotlight to the newly graduated student.
The reason why Princess Amalia of the Netherlands couldn't accompany her sister at her graduation
The youngest of the three daughters of the Dutch sovereigns has completed her International Baccalaureate studies at United World College Adriatic, in Italy. This is the same institution where Infanta Sofía studied but in different countries.
For now, it is unknown what the next steps will be for the daughter of Máxima of the Netherlands. It was last April 10 when the youngest member of the Dutch royal family reached adulthood, an occasion on which her father presented her with two distinctions.
The first of these came on March 21 when, through royal decree, she was named Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. This is a distinction granted to all descendants of the head of state upon reaching adulthood, established in 1898 by then-Queen Wilhelmina.
Ariane of the Netherlands took all the spotlight on her graduation day
Meanwhile, she was also named Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of Nassau. This distinction is shared by Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
It is striking that in recent weeks Princess Ariane has become one of the faces of the Dutch royalty that appears in the largest number of headlines. However, compared to her older sisters, she is the most unknown.
The young woman, who currently occupies third place in the line of succession to the throne, has led a life away from the public eye. This decision was made by her parents with the desire for her to grow up peacefully and without pressure, which has made her the most discreet and shy of the three.