Princess Margriet of the Netherlands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Princess Margriet |
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Princess Margriet in 2019
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| Born | 19 January 1943 Ottawa, Canada |
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| House | Orange-Nassau | ||||
| Father | Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld | ||||
| Mother | Juliana of the Netherlands | ||||
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands (born 19 January 1943) is a member of the Dutch Royal House. She is the third daughter of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard. She is also an aunt to the current King, King Willem-Alexander. Princess Margriet is currently eighth in line to the Dutch throne.
Princess Margriet often represents the King at official events. She has visited Canada many times, the country where she was born. She also supports the Dutch merchant navy.
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Birth in Canada
Princess Margriet was born to Princess Juliana of the Netherlands and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. At the time, her mother, Juliana, was next in line to become Queen after Queen Wilhelmina.
In 1940, the Dutch royal family had to leave their home. This happened when Nazi Germany occupied the Netherlands during World War II. They moved to Canada for safety. Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa Civic Hospital in Ottawa.
Why she was born in Canada
The Canadian government made a special rule for the hospital room where Margriet was born. They said it was "extraterritorial" for a short time. This meant the room was not considered Canadian land for that moment. This was important because of citizenship rules.
In Canada, if you are born there, you usually become a Canadian citizen. This rule is called jus soli. But in the Netherlands, you get citizenship from your parents, which is called jus sanguinis. By making the room extraterritorial, Princess Margriet would only get Dutch citizenship from her mother. This made sure she could still become Queen of the Netherlands if needed.
Her name and godparents
Princess Margriet was named after the marguerite flower. This flower was a symbol of resistance against Nazi Germany during the war. She was christened in Ottawa on 29 June 1943. Some of her godparents were important people. They included US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Queen Mary of the United Kingdom.
Princess Margriet has kept visiting Canada over the years. She has made official visits as recently as 2017 and 2022.
Life After the War
Princess Margriet first arrived in the Netherlands in August 1945. This was after the country was freed from occupation. Her family moved back to Soestdijk Palace in Baarn.
While studying at Leiden University, Princess Margriet met Pieter van Vollenhoven. They announced their engagement in 1965 and married in 1967 in The Hague. They had four sons together:
- Prince Maurits (born 1968)
- Prince Bernhard (born 1969)
- Prince Pieter-Christiaan (born 1972)
- Prince Floris (born 1975)
The family first lived at Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn. In 1975, they moved to their current home, also called Het Loo, which they built on the palace grounds.
Interests and Activities
Princess Margriet cares a lot about health care and cultural projects. She was a vice-president of the Dutch Red Cross from 1987 to 2011. The Red Cross even created the Princess Margriet Fund in her honor. She is also part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
From 1984 to 2007, Princess Margriet was the president of the European Cultural Foundation. This group created the Princess Margriet Award for Cultural Diversity to recognize her work. She is also an honorary board member of the International Paralympic Committee.
National Honours
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
- Royal Silver Wedding Medal of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, 1962
- Royal Wedding Medal 1966
- Queen Beatrix Investiture Medal 1980
- Royal Wedding Medal 2002
- King Willem-Alexander Investiture Medal 2013
