The Netherlands abides by absolute primogeniture and has since 1983. It is governed by Article 25 of the Dutch Constitution.
The Netherlands takes the proximity of blood into consideration when determining the line of succession; as such, only three degrees of kinship are allowed.
For example, when King Willem-Alexander ascended the throne, his aunt’s children lost their succession rights. They will only gain them back if their mother takes the throne. Once Amalia ascends the throne, the children of Prince Constantijn will lose their succession rights.
The Royal House of the Netherlands has explained what would happen if there are no members of the House of Orange left to ascend the throne: “If no heir can be found within the House of Orange-Nassau, a successor may be appointed by Act of Parliament, which must be passed by both Houses of Parliament meeting in joint session.”
Those in the line of succession must gain Parliament’s permission to marry to retain their position.
There is one particular allowance in the Dutch line of succession that is not universally acknowledged in other monarchies. If a monarch is homosexual, they may remain on the throne. The monarch and the heir to the throne are allowed to have a same-sex relationship and/or marriage and retain their roles.
The Dutch line of succession currently has eight people, but the descendants of Princess Margriet can be added back to the line of succession if she were to succeed to the throne.
The line of succession to succeed King Willem-Alexander is as follows.
- The Princess of Orange (Amalia)
- Princess Alexia
- Princess Ariane
- Prince Constantijn
- Countess Eloise
- Count Claus-Casimir
- Count Leonore
- Princess Margriet