KING Willem-Alexander became the the reigning monarch of the Netherlands in 2013.
From his royal duties to his royal family – here’s everything you need to know.
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Who is King Willem-Alexander?
Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand, was born on April 27, 1967, in Utrecht and is the King of the Netherlands.
He is the eldest child of Princess Beatrix and Claus Van Amsberg, and the first grandchild of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard.
On April 30 2013, King Willem-Alexander succeeded his mother as monarch.
He then became Europe’s youngest monarch at the age of 46.
However, he is now Europe’s second-youngest monarch, with Felipe VI taking the title after ascending to the Spanish throne on June 19, 2014, at the age of 46.
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He is also the first male monarch of the Netherlands since the death of his great-great-grandfather William III in 1890.
What did King Willem-Alexander do before he became king?
Before his investiture as king in 2013, Willem-Alexander served in the Royal Netherlands Navy from 1985 to 1987.
He was later, at his request, honourably discharged after the government declared that the head of state cannot be a serving member of the armed forces.
Following his military service, Willem-Alexander studied History at Leiden University and graduated with an MA degree in in 1993.
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He also held several high profile roles relating to sport and international water management.
Prior to taking over his duties as king, Willem-Alexander was a member of the International Olympic Committee from 1998 to 2013.
He was also chairman of the Secretary-General of the United Nations’ Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation from 2006 to 2013 and Aide-de-Camp Extraordinary to Her Majesty the Queen from 1990 until his investiture in 2013.
In May 2017, it was revealed that the the king had been secretly piloting commercial KLM planes for 21 years flying millions of holidaymakers around the world.
Are the British and Dutch royal family related?
The British royal family is closely connected to European royalty.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Elizabeth II are fifth cousins, twice removed thanks to their shared connection to Princess Carolina of Orange-Nassau.
King Willem-Alexander descends from Princess Carolina through her son, Frederick William, Prince of Nassau-Weilburg.
Similarly, Queen Elizabeth shared royal ties to Princess Carolina through Queen Mary.
What is King Willem-Alexander’s net worth?
The net worths of monarchs vary greatly by country.
According to reports, King Willem-Alexander’s net worth is estimated at $48 million (£38,208,480.00).
Who is King Willem-Alexander’s wife?
On March 30, 2001, Willem-Alexander and Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti announced their engagement.
The following year, on February 2, 2002, the royal wedding took place in Amsterdam.
Argentinian Máxima was previously an investment banker in New York.
The royal couple share three daughters.
Their first child, Princess Catharina-Amalia, the Princess of Orange, was born on December 7, 2003.
Their second child, Princess Alexia, was born on June 26, 2005, and their third child, Princess Ariane, on April 10, 2007.
King Willem previously expressed his concern regarding his children and social media, stating they “see everything”.
He revealed his concern Through the eyes of the King podcast on April 6. admitting he worries about online trolling but fortunately has “very open discussions” with all three of his daughters.