Irene van Lippe-Biesterfeld is re-using her title of Princess. ,,I have to come to terms with the fact that this also a part of me", the younger sister of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands said in a rare personal interview.
Years ago she had decided to stop use her title and style of 'Her Royal Highness'. She became simply known as Irene Van Lippe-Biesterfeld, using the family name of her father Prince Bernhard instead.
In the interview the Princess, 68, explained that she needed to abandon her title "in order to be able to go my own way". She felt her title was a barrier in the contact "with people", "it got in the way between me and them", she said.
"As Irene Van Lippe-Biesterfeld I could go through life in a way that made it both easier for me and for others to communicate, to get in touch."
The Palace kept referring to "H.R.H. Princess Irene of the Netherlands" in official announcements. And abroad too the Princess kept using her title if that would further her cause and open doors that otherwise would remain shut, she admitted in the interview.
Princess Irene, mother of four children - including bride to be Princess Margarita - founded NatuurCollege. This week she presided over a symposium on sustainability in The Hague; the invitations were send by "Princess Irene".
© RB Hans Jacobs; Photos (archive) by © Royal Press Europe & © GPD
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