Willem-Alexander (1967-…) became the monarch of the Netherlands in 2013. He succeeded his mother, Queen Beatrix, who abdicated (gave up the throne). Willem-Alexander is the Netherlands’ first king since the death of William III in 1890. In the Netherlands, the monarch’s duties are mostly ceremonial.
Willem-Alexander is the oldest of three sons born to Beatrix and Prince Claus of the Netherlands. He was born in Utrecht on April 27, 1967. His full name is Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand. He became Prince of Orange—heir to the Dutch throne—upon his mother’s accession to the throne in 1980.
After completing his secondary education, Willem-Alexander served in the Royal Netherlands Navy. He graduated with a degree in history from Leiden University in 1993. Willem-Alexander has served on the International Olympic Committee and is an expert in water management. He is also an airplane pilot and has taken part in running and ice-skating marathons.
In 2002, Willem-Alexander married Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti, a former investment banker from Argentina. She became Princess Máxima after their marriage, and, in 2013, became queen of the Netherlands. The couple have had three daughters: Catharina-Amalia, the Princess of Orange; Alexia; and Ariane.
See also Beatrix .
