The Princess of Orange, News and Events Part 2 (Jan 2024 - present)

[Mbruno]

But for the foreseeable future there is no Bulgarian throne, or even any type of official position for Bulgaria's former royal family. If merely being the head of a private family disqualified someone from becoming a consort, then Beatrix should not have married Claus von Amsberg either.

Was Claus von Amsberg from a former ruling family? Or in line to some defunct throne? If not, then the two situations are not comparable.

I understand the legal position, but, symbolically, a former ruling family is not just another "private family". Monarchists in Bulgaria, who are not such a neglible number, have expectations about Boris and his future descendants. How would they feel for example if Boris assumed the role of Prince Consort in the Netherlands and if his children were baptized in the Protestant Church of the Netherlands and raised as Dutch princes?

Amalia needs permission from the Dutch parliament, but I suppose Boris only needs permission from his grandfather? I think he can keep his current faith. Máxima is also still Roman Catholic.

I have no dount that Boris could keep his faith, but would his and Amalia's children be raised in the Orthodox faith? I sincerely doubt it.

Marrying Amalia would mean Boris giving up his commitment to serve Bulgaria. Honestly I don't see how Boris could go ahead with this marriage without renouncing his right to become head of the Bulgarian royal house in his name and in name of his descendants.

 

[SOS]

Marrying Amalia would mean Boris giving up his commitment to serve Bulgaria. Honestly I don't see how Boris could go ahead with this marriage without renouncing his right to become head of the Bulgarian royal house in his name and in name of his descendants.

Perhaps the titles might be a problem. The Bulgarian royal family might want the Prince of Tarnovo to have Bulgarian interests at heart and the Dutch parliament will demand loyalty to The Netherlands.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

I understand the legal position, but, symbolically, a former ruling family is not just another "private family". Monarchists in Bulgaria, who are not such a neglible number, have expectations about Boris and his future descendants. How would they feel for example if Boris assumed the role of Prince Consort in the Netherlands and if his children were baptized in the Protestant Church of the Netherlands and raised as Dutch princes?

I see what you mean. But there are other family members who could serve as an eventual figurehead for the monarchist cause in Bulgaria in the unlikely event that Boris became the prince consort or first gentleman of some country (it would probably be even more of a boon for Bulgarian monarchists if it could be a family member who lived in Bulgaria and/or was willing to work with them); being a legally private family means there are no institutional obstacles to doing what for example the ex-royal family of Serbia did and passing the future headship to someone better suited for it.

Marrying Amalia would mean Boris giving up his commitment to serve Bulgaria. Honestly I don't see how Boris could go ahead with this marriage without renouncing his right to become head of the Bulgarian royal house in his name and in name of his descendants.

Perhaps the titles might be a problem. The Bulgarian royal family might want the Prince of Tarnovo to have Bulgarian interests at heart and the Dutch parliament will demand loyalty to The Netherlands.

I don't believe Bulgaria's former royal family has any actual titles (for example, when the ex-king served as prime minister of Bulgaria he was referred to by his forename and surname only) and I am not sure if Boris has made a commitment to serve Bulgaria (has he lived there)?.

 

[principessa]

It is also a question about titles for possible children of them. Maybe they will be HRH Prince/ss XXX of the Netherlands, Prince/ss of Oranje-Nassau, Prince/ss of Bulgaria. After the marriage of Juliana and Bernhard their children were also Princesses of Lippe-Biesterfeld.

 

[Somebody]

It is also a question about titles for possible children of them. Maybe they will be HRH Prince/ss XXX of the Netherlands, Prince/ss of Oranje-Nassau, Prince/ss of Bulgaria. After the marriage of Juliana and Bernhard their children were also Princesses of Lippe-Biesterfeld.

Any titles will be determined in the Marriage Act. Unlike their cousins for example, Amalia and her sisters aren't jonkvrouwe van Amsberg (after their grandfather).

I am quite sure Boris would be required to give up his rights to the Bulgarian throne. Amaila's greataunt gave up her rights to the Durch throne to be able to marry a pretender to the Spanish throne, so parliament will not agree to this marriage if he wouldn't do so.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

I am quite sure Boris would be required to give up his rights to the Bulgarian throne. Amaila's greataunt gave up her rights to the Durch throne to be able to marry a pretender to the Spanish throne, so parliament will not agree to this marriage if he wouldn't do so.

If he indeed is a pretender who claims he has "rights" to Bulgaria; I am no expert on the family, but since his grandfather ex-king Simeon served as prime minister of the republic of Bulgaria, I am guessing the family accepts its legitimacy (even if I personally find their usage of extinct titles inconsistent with this).

 

[valeas]

Uhhh, happy speculations

In German there is a saying, rooting in Habsburg history:
" you cannot dance at two weddings"

and like Prince Philip had to renounce his greek and danish titles,
Boris would most probably have to renounce his BUT it's the yellow press making up stories , nothing more yet and Amalia is very young still.
By the way beside his roots would Boris be any more entitled to the job?
I don't know but doubt he grew up any other than most of us, born in Spain and having an average career, which school did he attend, what circles did he share? He is probably likely to have lived in a flat rather than a palace..... many questions...
the former russian governed easteuropean countries and their royals try hard to climb up the ladder but taking a closer look at them grounds you quickly. the glory if two sometimes three generations ago is long gone.

 

[SOS]

From the little we know about Amalia, I think she is an Enneagram type 1. It seems unlikely she will even date a frat boy, she wants a Mr. Darcy.

By the way beside his roots would Boris be any more entitled to the job?
I don't know but doubt he grew up any other than most of us, born in Spain and having an average career, which school did he attend, what circles did he share? He is probably likely to have lived in a flat rather than a palace..... many questions...

IMO Boris and Amalia share some common experiences and traits. Firstly, both have faced tragedies at a young age, having funerals for close family members. Amalia experienced this with her uncle and aunt, while Boris lost his father after a car accident. Secondly, they both became heirs early in life, with Amalia inheriting the title at 9 and Boris effectively becoming an heir at 10 due to his father's accident.

Despite Boris being an heir to a defunct throne, the shared experience of early responsibility might create a bond. Both are described as serious and dutiful. They're both fluent in Spanish and English.

Amalia is studying Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics, and Boris studied Fine Arts and is studying International Relations right now. In theory, it all could contribute to a potentially good match between them.


It's possible that the publications (Point de Vue, Hola!, Prive) spreading rumors might check with friends in both circles. If there's no denial, and the rumors keep spreading, there might be some truth to it. We will see. Regardless, I hope the best for them both, together or not.

 

[SOS]

Update: Last week, RTL Boulevard discussed the rumors, and their royal reporter assured viewers that he would inquire about the rumors during Amalia's next press meeting.

We'll likely have more information in a few months.

 

[Marengo]

What rumours did they talk about? The ones about her living in Spain or the one about Prince Boris? A few months is a long time and I doubt the RF will say anything about it in a chat with the press. For the winter photo call a chat was simply not organised. That may be the same in the summer.

 

[SOS]

What rumours did they talk about? The ones about her living in Spain or the one about Prince Boris? A few months is a long time and I doubt the RF will say anything about it in a chat with the press. For the winter photo call a chat was simply not organised. That may be the same in the summer.

Boris.

https://www.gids.tv/video/612848/rt...alia-is-verliefd-op-deze-man-uit-madrid-video

 

[Somebody]

The one about her living in Madrid might have been addressed in a press conference but any questions about Amalia's love life will most likely only receive some form of deflection (as Willem-Alexander has done before) and no real answer.

 

[Marengo]

Boris.

https://www.gids.tv/video/612848/rt...alia-is-verliefd-op-deze-man-uit-madrid-video

Thanks! Good luck to the reporter who dares to ask the question and expects to get a response on that ?.

The one about her living in Madrid might have been addressed in a press conference but any questions about Amalia's love life will most likely only receive some form of deflection (as Willem-Alexander has done before) and no real answer.

They would be quite right to deflect it since even if it is true she still is very young and so much can happen. I wonder if the court will eventually go the way the Swedish court went: have partners attend semi-public family functions before an engagement. Though the Dutch court has a lot less of those than the Swedish court has with its many glittering celebrations.

 

[Marengo]

According to newspaper Het Parool, the princess of Orange is living in Amsterdam again. She is living in the same building as before.

https://www.rtl.nl/boulevard/royalty/artikel/5433284/prinses-amalia-woont-amsterdam

I can not read the original article as it is behind paywall. But according to other articles I was able to access neighbours have seen renewed activity of extra safety cameras and a coming and going of security guards.

 

[lula]

One of the main leaders of the 'Mocro Maffia' who was wanted by the Netherlands was arrested a few weeks ago in Marbella. So perhaps they consider that the threat has disappeared or at least greatly diminished.

https://www.dutchnews.nl/2024/01/spanish-police-arrest-notorious-dutch-gang-leader/

In recent days it has been published that the 'Mocro Maffia' could be behind the attempted murder of a former Spanish politician in Madrid a few months ago. As I have mentioned previously, I never understood that the Dutch Royal House considered Madrid safer for Amalia than Amsterdam, when the presence of this criminal group in Spain was known.

 

[Somebody]

The NOS is also reporting the news based on the article in Het Parool (an Amsterdam-based newspaper. If true that would be wonderful news for the princess.

 

[Marengo]

One of the main leaders of the 'Mocro Maffia' who was wanted by the Netherlands was arrested a few weeks ago in Marbella. So perhaps they consider that the threat has disappeared or at least greatly diminished.

https://www.dutchnews.nl/2024/01/spanish-police-arrest-notorious-dutch-gang-leader/

In recent days it has been published that the 'Mocro Maffia' could be behind the attempted murder of a former Spanish politician in Madrid a few months ago. As I have mentioned previously, I never understood that the Dutch Royal House considered Madrid safer for Amalia than Amsterdam, when the presence of this criminal group in Spain was known.

I imagine the security services would have been in favor of it, otherwise the princess would not have been there.

Thanks for the additional information Lula, I had missed it completely. It may have been a factor indeed. It is fortunate that Amalia's situation has improved.

 

[ronald biver]

Interesting combination between the House of Orange-Nassau & the House of Sakse-Coburg & Gotha, if the friendship blossomed b/w Princess Amalia of The Netherlands & Prince Boris of Bulgaria? It is only my opinion.
It was even given a mentioned in the Dutch royal website with a picture of prince Boris escorting princess Amalia to the waiting car, after the royal gathering attended also by the king & queen of the Netherlands in Madrid Spain.

 

[Somebody]

Interesting combination between the House of Orange-Nassau & the House of Sakse-Coburg & Gotha, if the friendship blossomed b/w Princess Amalia of The Netherlands & Prince Boris of Bulgaria? It is only my opinion.
It was even given a mentioned in the Dutch royal website with a picture of prince Boris escorting princess Amalia to the waiting car, after the royal gathering attended also by the king & queen of the Netherlands in Madrid Spain.

The wedding of the Duchess of Medinaceli took place in Jerez de la Frontera (not in Madrid). I haven't seen a picture of Amalia being escorted to a car; I have only seen pictures of the two of their arrival in the evening before the wedding (a dinner party it seemed). Boris seemed to have left with his mother and Amalia was on her own the next day at the wedding itself.

Máxima, Willem-Alexander and Amalia were attending as guests of the groom's family (not the bride's).

 

[SOS]

The wedding of the Duchess of Medinaceli took place in Jerez de la Frontera (not in Madrid). I haven't seen a picture of Amalia being escorted to a car; I have only seen pictures of the two of their arrival in the evening before the wedding (a dinner party it seemed). Boris seemed to have left with his mother and Amalia was on her own the next day at the wedding itself.

Máxima, Willem-Alexander and Amalia were attending as guests of the groom's family (not the bride's).

Boris and Amalia left the party together, in the same car.

Video

 

[Marengo]

According to Vanitas/ El Confidential the news about the move to Amsterdam of Pss Amalia by newspaper Het Parool is incorrect. They claim the princess still lives in Madrid. They claim she is following some sort of exchange programme.

Ni por su pareja ni por su seguridad: la razón por la que Amalia de Holanda está en Madrid

La princesa pasa cada vez más tiempo en la capital, lo que ha provocado especulaciones de todo tipo. Según la información de Vanitatis, podría estar estudiando aquí

www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com

Neighbours of the Salamanca area claim they still see her at the supermarket, jogging in the park or walking the dog.

 

[Somebody]

And as discussed previously, IE offers a program somewhat similar to her program in Amsterdam

IE Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Economics (PPLE)

The Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law & Economics at IE is based on the "PPE" model of multidisciplinary degrees, training students to be future leaders

www.ie.edu

and they are not new to having high-profile (read: children of Heads of State) students.

Living in Salamanca makes sense as well as that would be in walking distance (we did the same when my husband studied at IE - and while IE acquired a new building in a different neighborhood, it seems the 'IE School of Politics, Economics and Global affairs' -where I assume this program is housed- is still in the old buildings).

 

[SOS]

NOS (Dutch BBC) and De Telegraaf (largest Dutch newspaper) confirm Amalia lived and studied in Madrid for more than a year.

Amalia woonde en studeerde door dreiging ruim een jaar in Madrid

In oktober 2022 werd duidelijk dat Amalia te maken had met zware bedreigingen. Daardoor moest ze noodgedwongen thuis wonen. Naar nu blijkt heeft ze ongeveer een jaar in Madrid gewoond en gestudeerd.

nos.nl

https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/1409353652/spaans-onderdak-voor-bedreigde-amalia-prinses-studeerde-ruim-jaar-lang-in-madrid

 

[Somebody]

Many people already thought so and given the security issues, I understand why they only confirm now she's moved back to the Netherlands.

The NOS bring the same news and also mention that she is living in the Netherlands again. It seems that it was confirmed now because of the Spanish state visit. I guess they rather have this out in the open instead of Spanish journalists trying to get a confirmation during the state visit. In addition, King's Day is less than 2 weeks away, so, I am sure she will be asked about it.

Amalia woonde en studeerde door dreiging ruim een jaar in Madrid

In oktober 2022 werd duidelijk dat Amalia te maken had met zware bedreigingen. Daardoor moest ze noodgedwongen thuis wonen. Naar nu blijkt heeft ze ongeveer een jaar in Madrid gewoond en gestudeerd.

nos.nl

According to the Telegraaf journalist Wouter de Winther the threat towards Amalia (and prime minister Rutte) consists of the risk of kidnapping or a targeted attack on her life. Unfortunately, her move back to the Netherlands doesn't mean that the risk has decreased. However, it was deemed important for Amalia (by herself and those around her) to be able to also study in the Netherlands for some time and not live abroad her full study period. So, they must have found a way to make that possible although she will still be majorly limited in her freedom of movement.

In terms of her education, during her stay in Madrid Amalia remained officially a student at the University of Amsterdam but also followed classes at a university in Madrid (most likely at Instituto de Empresa) - in this way she also was able to meet the requirement to study abroad for a semester.

 

[Marengo]

It seems to be the headline of the newspaper. Not sure why as the Spanish press already spelled it out. But now it seems it was confirmed by sources in The Hague.

According to De Winther the Spanish security services were very accomodating and it helped that thye have much more experience with these kind of threats. Due to them the princess was able to have some sort of normal student life.

It seems the news was leaked on purpose. The state broadcaster NOS has the same item without citing the Telegraaf. I assume the same sources shared their story with them.

-
I think they have a point about it being desirable that Amalia will spend the larger part of her formation in her own country.

 

[Somebody]

Exactly, that was my take as well. It is no coincidence that both the Telegraph and the NOS share this news at the same time without referencing each other but both referencing sources (in The Hague).

And unfortunately, the Spanish security services are very well versed in securing their own royals (they famously had the largest security bill for years) because of serious risks in the past, so glad they were able to step in and help out with Amalia.

 

[Marengo]

It seems the source did not communicate too well. The Telegraaf says the level of danger is unchanged. The NOS says it has decreased a bit though it is still significant.

 

[lula]

They have taken advantage of the state visit on the one hand to avoid leaks and on the other because it has gone more unnoticed. For the Netherlands it seems a serious problem that they are not able to guarantee the safety of their crown princess, and that the only option they had was to lock her in the palace or give the responsibility to another country. From the beginning, their strategy of speaking so much publicly about the issue seemed wrong, because they showed their own weakness. Probably this time (and the arrests) have allowed them to prepare another type of strategy or form an adequate security team.

As I have mentioned before, Spain is no stranger to the Moccromafia and some of its main leaders have been detained here, so Spain took a significant risk by protecting Amalia. The Spanish Royal Family and the Spanish Government designed a plan to protect Amalia, who according to the Spanish media had police protection, with specialists in individual protection and the fight against organized crime, 24 hours a day.

 

[EvaH]

It seems absolutely crazy to me that Spain succeeded where the Netherlands failed. Thank God C-A was old enough and mature enough to be shipped of to Spain. Imagine had she been much younger or in her early teens...

 

[Somebody]

She could have lived in the Netherlands but had more freedom of movement in Spain. It’s not an either/or situation.