Princess Ariane of the Netherlands celebrates her seventh birthday on 10 April.
To honour King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima’s daughter’s special day, HELLO! Online has gathered a list of ten facts you might not know about the Dutch princess.
Princess Ariane at her parents' investiture in April 2013
1. Princess Ariane was born at the Bronovo Hosptial in The Hague, Netherlands, on 10 April 2007 at 21.56 local time.
2. The Princess was the third daughter of the then Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima. As the country rejoiced the latest royal arrival, Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende addressed the nation to confirm both mother and baby were doing well.
Ariane with King Willem-Alexander
3. Ariane has two elder sisters, Princess Catharina-Amalia, ten, and Princess Alexia, eight.
4. Speaking after the birth, Willem-Alexander explained Ariane's name beginning with an ‘A’ was to "conclude the triple A rating" in reference to his first two daughter's names, which also both begin with an 'A'.
During a skiing holiday in Austria with Queen Maxima
5. Less than a month after her birth, the young Princess was admitted to hospital with a suspected lung infection. Her parents thanked the nation for their support during such a difficult time by releasing a third official picture of Ariane after she was discharged three days later.
It was later revealed 30,000 well-wishers had sent letters to the Royal House over the Princess’ hospitalisation.
6. Six months after her birth, the Dutch Royal Family came together at the Abbey Church in The Hague for Ariane’s baptism. The newest addition to the family was christened with water from the River Jordan.
Princess Ariane (right) with her sisters Princess Alexia (left) and Princess Catharina-Amalia (centre)
7. Similar to Britain’s Prince George, Princess Ariane was dressed in the Dutch Royal family’s traditional christening gown, which had been worn by Princess Wilhelmina of the Netherlands in 1880.
8. Ariane’s godparents include Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, Baron Tijo Collot d'Escury, Antoine Frilling, Valerie Delger and Inés Zorreguieta.
9. As well as enjoying school, the princess plays the piano and practices ballet and judo.
10. In April 2013, Ariane joined in to mark the celebrations of her father’s investiture as King of the Netherlands. As her father became king after Queen Beatrix’s abdication, the young princess went from being fourth to third-in-line to the Dutch throne.
