Princess Margriet of the Netherlands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Princess Margriet |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.JPG)
Princess Margriet in 2019
|
|||||
| Born | 19 January 1943 Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
||||
| Spouse | |||||
| Issue |
|
||||
|
|||||
| House | Orange-Nassau | ||||
| Father | Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld | ||||
| Mother | Juliana of the Netherlands | ||||
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands was born on January 19, 1943. She is the third daughter of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard. Princess Margriet is the aunt of the current King, King Willem-Alexander. She is a member of the Dutch Royal House. She is currently eighth in line to the Dutch throne.
Princess Margriet often represents the King at important events. She has visited Canada many times. This is the country where she was born. She also supports the Dutch merchant navy.
Birth in Canada
Princess Margriet was born to Princess Juliana of the Netherlands and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. Her mother, Princess Juliana, was next in line to become Queen after Queen Wilhelmina.
The Dutch royal family had to leave the Netherlands in 1940. This was because Nazi Germany occupied their country. They moved to live in Canada. Princess Margriet was born in the Ottawa Civic Hospital in Ottawa.
The Canadian government made the hospital room where she was born special. It was temporarily declared "extraterritorial." This means it was treated as if it was not Canadian land for a short time. This was done so that Princess Margriet would be born as a Dutch citizen. She would not automatically become a Canadian citizen. This was important because it meant she could still become Queen of the Netherlands if needed.
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 June 29, 1943.
Princess Margriet has continued to visit 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 returned to Soestdijk Palace in Baarn. This was their home before the war.
While studying at Leiden University, Princess Margriet met Pieter van Vollenhoven. They announced their engagement on March 10, 1965. They got married on January 10, 1967, in The Hague.
It was decided that their children would be called Prince or Princess of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven. They would also be called Highness. Princess Margriet and Pieter had four sons:
- Prince Maurits (born April 17, 1968). He married Marilène van den Broek in 1998. They have three children: Anna, Lucas, and Felicia.
- Prince Bernhard (born December 25, 1969). He married Annette Sekrève in 2000. They have three children: Isabella, Samuel, and Benjamin.
- Prince Pieter-Christiaan (born March 22, 1972). He married Anita van Eijk in 2005. They have two children: Emma and Pieter.
- Prince Floris (born April 10, 1975). He married Aimée Söhngen in 2005. They have three children: Magali, Eliane, and Willem-Jan.
The Princess and her husband first lived at Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn. In 1975, they moved to their current home, also called Het Loo. They built this house on the palace grounds.
Interests and Public Work
Princess Margriet cares a lot about health care and culture. From 1987 to 2011, she was a vice-president of the Dutch Red Cross. They even created the Princess Margriet Fund in her honor. She is also on the board 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 foundation created the Princess Margriet Award for Cultural Diversity to recognize her work.
She is also an honorary board member of the International Paralympic Committee. This organization helps athletes with disabilities compete in sports.
Titles and Awards
Princess Margriet has held several titles throughout her life.
- From her birth until her marriage in 1967, she was Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld.
- From 1967 until now, she is Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld, Mrs Van Vollenhoven.
She has also received many important awards and honors from the Netherlands and other countries. These awards recognize her dedication and service.
See also
In Spanish: Margarita de los Países Bajos para niños
