Princess Catherina-Amalia - Amalia for short - is one signature away from becoming the Netherlands' first ever Princess of Orange, the title given to the heir of the throne. Amalia, 9, is the eldest daughter of King-in-waiting Willem-Alexander.
Upon the abdication of her grandmother Queen Beatrix, set for 30 April 2013, she will automatically become 'The Princess of Orange' or in Dutch, 'De Prinses van Oranje.
* The soon to be Princess of Orange
The title 'Prince of Orange' was traditionally reserved for the eldest son of the monarch. The later queens Wilhelmina, Juliana and Beatrix, although presumptive heirs to the throne, never held that title. Prince Willem-Alexander became 'The Prince of Orange' on the accession of his mother in 1980; the last one to hold the title had been Prince Alexander, who died in 1884.
The Dutch Constitution of 1983 did away with the distinction between male and female heirs, hence the title for Princess Amalia. © RB; Photo by © RPE Albert Nieboer
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