His Royal Highness Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands is searching for a new job. The Prince is currently chef de cabinet of Eurocommisioner Mrs. Neelie Kroes. With the arrival of the new EU Commission all political staff of the outgoing Commissioners loose their position -as usual- and have to apply for a new position, if they want. It is not known if the Prince indeed will apply for another position in the top of the EU machinery. The Prince is no civic servant but works, like so many in Brussels, with a limited contract.
With the abdication of Queen Beatrix, life has changed for his brother King Willem-Alexander but not so for Prince Constantijn. Interesting is that Prince Constantijn has not done more royal engagements since the start of his brother's Reign. His mother, Princess Beatrix, is still very active and represents the Royal House on many public events.
In the Act on the Financial Statute of the Royal House is arranged that six persons get an annual income:
- The King
- The King who has abdicated the kingship
- The presumed successor of the King (from the age of 18 on)
- The eventual spouses of the beforementioned
In practice this means King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Princess Beatrix. This means that Prince Constantijn, like all other members of the royal family, has to provide in his own income. Queen Juliana and Queen Beatrix have made special arrangements:
Foundation for Functional Costs of the House Orange-Nassau I (1968)
Aim: to provide finances, from the rendements of the own capital, for each of the three youngest daughters of Her Majesty Queen Juliana to meet the costs and expenditures connected to their royal position and the execution of the royal dignity.
Foundation for Functional Costs of the House Orange-Nassau II (1998)
Aim: to provide finances, from the rendements of the own capital, for each of the two youngest sons of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix to meet costs and expenditures connected to their royal position and the execution of the royal dignity.
This means that, also without a job, Prince Constantijn does not need to worry about his income. His aunts Princess Irene, Princess Margriet and Princess Christina never had a regularly paid job but lead a carefree royal life and represent the House in great style when requested, so the finances from these funds must be suffficient.
Having said that, I hope that Prince Constantijn, Princess Laurentien and their children move to The Hague, for an example live at the villa De Eikenhorst (now privately owned residence of the King) and start to do more public royal events. At the other hand: in 7 years time Princess Catharina-Amalia will reach the age of 18 and get her own income. I can imagine that she will then occupy the so loved and comfortable villa (undoubtedly after an extensive renovation) to start her independent royal life.