Princess Mabel's Past

[Tatiana Maria]

After the death of crime journalist/fighter Peter R. de Vries this week, one of his major interviews that is mentioned is several articles is the one he did with Charlie da Silva (former bodyguard of top criminal Klaas Bruinsma) who stated that he knew Mabel because of her relationship with Klaas Bruinsma (Mabel denies that they had a relationship). It was the first step in a media storm that led to Friso and Mabel not asking parliamentary permission for their marriage.

So, next to the appreciation that the royal family has for the important work he has done in many cases and the shock and unbelief about him being murdered (most likely caused by his involvement in the Netherlands' most severe criminal case), I am sure they haven't forgotten his role in this episode that changed the line of succession.

What about the reverse? With the royal family expressing condolences for Mr. de Vries's murder, has there been commentary on their attitude towards Klaas Bruinsma's links to Princess Mabel?

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

What about the reverse? With the royal family expressing condolences for Mr. de Vries's murder, has there been commentary on their attitude towards Klaas Bruinsma's links to Princess Mabel?

No, since the public better learned the unstoppable activism of Mabel, since her widowhood and since her late husband's immensely profitable investments made her mega rich, the label of "gangster sweety" some tried to portray her no longer sticks.

She absolutely had a friendship with mafioso Klaas Bruinsma (whom was also born in the same posh region as Mabel, was a great lover of sail regattas like Mabel's family - their sailing hobby was the link) but denies there was anything more than that.

Now Mabel is generally seen as a not to underestimate lady with a formidable network, nationally and internationally. For a period she was even was rumoured to be romantically linked to the current Prime Minister, to illustrate how far rumours can go but also showing her easy access to the who-is-who.