the best pictures of Willem-Alexander as a father

There was no doubt that Willem-Alexander would one day become a father. As heir apparent, a lot is expected of you. He was eventually 36 years old when Máxima gave birth to their first daughter. Two more would quickly follow to complete Team Orange. A palace with four women and one man? That of course screams for a father who stands firm and likes a joke. Willem-Alexander fits perfectly into that role, he proves time and again.

Princess Catharina-Amalia, daughter of Princess Maxima and Prince Willem-Alexander.Image ANP / ANP

A joke, an eye roll

As proud as he was from the very beginning of Amalia, Alexia and Ariane, he was so smiley too. There was always a joke. First to Máxima and the national press (when asked after Amalia’s birth when he would tell her that she would one day become queen, he chuckled: “Not tonight.”), later also to his daughters themselves. This caught his eye many a time, especially behind the palace doors, but sometimes outside as well. But it’s also clear that his girls and his wife are crazy about the royal prankster.

Always keep smiling

As seriously as Willem-Alexander and Máxima take the education of their girls, there was always so much to laugh about. When the girls in Lech in front of the cameras their terrible twos experience, as in the picture below…

Prince Willem-Alexander holds his struggling daughter Princess Alexia during a photo shoot in Lech, Austria, February 11, 2007. Image ANP / AFP

Prince Willem-Alexander holds his struggling daughter Princess Alexia during a photo shoot in Lech, Austria, February 11, 2007.Image ANP / AFP

…if they might be a little too photogenic, as you can see below (who remembers those horrid vuvuzelas from the 2010 World Cup)…

WASSENAAR 5 July 2010 - Princess Amalia blows on an orange vuvuzela in the garden of Landgoed de Horsten in Wassenaar during a photo session.  Next to her Prince Willem-Alexander.  Image ANP / ANP

WASSENAAR 5 July 2010 – Princess Amalia blows on an orange vuvuzela in the garden of Landgoed de Horsten in Wassenaar during a photo session. Next to her Prince Willem-Alexander.Image ANP / ANP

…but also later, when they take place as a seasoned model trio on the grass of Huis ten Bosch (photo below).

The Hague - 17 July 2020: annual photo session at Huis Ten Bosch.  Image Getty Images

The Hague – 17 July 2020: annual photo session at Huis Ten Bosch.Image Getty Images

house photographer

How proud Willem-Alexander is of his girls is even apparent during meetings. His home office is full of photos of his four wives, and as a house photographer he also likes to take photos and videos of his daughters whenever possible.

February 17, 2022, Huis ten Bosch.  Office King Willem-Alexander Statue ANP

February 17, 2022, Huis ten Bosch. Office King Willem-AlexanderImage ANP

Like the now famous trio of photos of his daughters’ first day of high school…

First day of secondary school of the princesses Amalia (24 August 2015), Alexia (21 August 2017) and Ariane (2 September 2019) Statue RVD - ZM de Koning

First day of high school of the princesses Amalia (August 24, 2015), Alexia (August 21, 2017) and Ariane (September 2, 2019)Statue RVD – HM the King

…and the portrait below of Amalia for her sixteenth birthday.

The Hague, autumn 2019: the Princess of Orange Statue © RVD - HM de Koning

The Hague, autumn 2019: the Princess of OrangeImage © RVD – HM the King

And if the girls still have to work (Willem-Alexander and Máxima allowed them to attend as few official occasions as possible, except for King’s Day and two photo sessions a year), then daddy is always there with a hug or an encouraging gesture. .

MAASTRICHT April 27, 2022 - King Willem-Alexander and the princesses Alexia and Ariane during King's Day in Maastricht.  After two silent corona years, the Dutch are again celebrating King's Day as usual.  Image ANP / ANP

MAASTRICHT April 27, 2022 – King Willem-Alexander and the princesses Alexia and Ariane during King’s Day in Maastricht. After two silent corona years, the Dutch are again celebrating King’s Day as usual.Image ANP / ANP

It is clear that it is appreciated.

Photo session with the royal family in Lech.  King Willem Alexander and Princess Amalia Statue Brunopress/Patrick van Emst

Photo session with the royal family in Lech. King Willem Alexander and Princess AmaliaImage Brunopress/Patrick van Emst

June 19, 2022

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