A different class of royalty

Netherland’s Princess CatharinaAmalia marks a first in the country by relinquishing, for the moment, the income she’s entitled to on turning 18

In what seems to be the first-of-itskind gesture by a royal in the country, Princess CatharinaAmalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria, or Princess CatharinaAmalia — the heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of the Netherlands — wrote to the country’s prime minister, Mark Rutte, to waive her right to an annual income of 1.6 million euros until she takes up royal duties. The amount is equivalent to a little over `14 crores. According to reports in various publications including The Dutch News, The Guardian and CBC News, the Princess of Orange, who will turn 18 in December this year, has just completed her school leaving examination with distinction and hopes to take a gap year to explore the world.

In her letter to the PM, as published by the Dutch public broadcaster, NOS, the crown princess wrote, “On 7 December 2021 I will be 18 and, according to the law, receive an allowance. I find that uncomfortable as long as I do not do anything for it in return, and while other students have a much tougher time of it, particularly in this period of coronavirus.”

The NOS article also stated Amalia as saying that ‘as long as she will not incur high costs in her position as Princess of Orange’, she will also refund the expense allowance. Prime Minister Rutte informed the House of Representatives of the princess’s letter, and pointed it out to be “really her letter and her decision”. He also clarifies that he didn’t think this decision will lead to new discussions about the allowances of the Royal House. “No, the law remains the law and she makes this choice,” he explained, adding that he thought Princess Amalia would make a ‘great queen’.

“On 7 December 2021 I will be 18 and, according to the law, receive an allowance. I find that uncomfortable as long as I do not do anything for it in return, and while other students have a much tougher time of it, particularly in this period of coronavirus.”

The crown princess wrote, in her letter to the PM, as published by the Dutch public broadcaster, NOS