Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prince Friso |
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Prince Friso in 2008
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| Born | 25 September 1968 University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands |
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| Died | 12 August 2013 (aged 44) Huis ten Bosch, The Hague, Netherlands |
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| Burial | 16 August 2013 Dutch Reformed Cemetery, Lage Vuursche, Utrecht, Netherlands |
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| Spouse |
Mabel Wisse Smit
(m. 2004) |
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| Issue | Countess Luana Countess Zaria |
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| House | Orange-Nassau (official) Amsberg (agnatic) |
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| Father | Claus von Amsberg | ||||
| Mother | Beatrix of the Netherlands | ||||
| Religion | Protestant Church in the Netherlands | ||||
Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau (born Johan Friso Bernhard Christiaan David van Oranje-Nassau van Amsberg; 25 September 1968 – 12 August 2013) was a prince from the Netherlands. He was the younger brother of the current King, Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.
Prince Friso was part of the Dutch Royal Family. However, when he married in 2004, he did not get permission from the Dutch parliament. Because of this, he was no longer a member of the Dutch Royal House. This also meant he was no longer able to become king.
In February 2012, Prince Friso was in a serious skiing accident in Lech, Austria. He was buried under an avalanche while skiing outside the marked areas. He was taken to a hospital in Innsbruck. Doctors said he had severe brain damage because his brain did not get enough oxygen. He was in a coma and later in a state where he was barely conscious. Prince Friso died on 12 August 2013, about a year and a half after his accident, due to problems from his injuries.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Johan Friso Bernhard Christiaan David was born on 25 September 1968. His birthplace was the University Medical Center Utrecht in Utrecht, Netherlands. He was the second son of Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands and Prince Claus. His grandmother was Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.
He had an older brother, Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, who is now King. He also had a younger brother, Prince Constantijn. When he was born, his titles included Prince of the Netherlands.
Prince Friso was baptized on 28 December 1968. His godparents included King Harald V of Norway.
In 1986, he finished high school in The Hague. He then studied mechanical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley from 1986 to 1988. After that, he studied aeronautical engineering at Delft University of Technology. He earned his engineering degree there in 1994.
He also studied at Erasmus University Rotterdam starting in 1990. He received a master's degree in business economics in 1995. Later, he went to INSEAD in France. There, he earned an MBA degree in 1997.
Prince Friso's Work and Career
Prince Friso worked at McKinsey, a management consulting firm, in Amsterdam from 1995 to 1996. After getting his MBA, he worked at Goldman Sachs International in London. He was a vice president there from 1998 to 2003.
In 2004, he became a co-president at TNO Space in Delft. From 2006, he was a Managing Director at Wolfensohn & Company, an investment firm in London.
Prince Friso also helped start the MRI Centre in Amsterdam. He was a founding shareholder of Wizzair, a large airline in Eastern Europe. He was an honorary chairman of the Prince Claus Fund. This fund supports culture and development.
Before his accident, Prince Friso worked as a chief financial officer for URENCO. This company specializes in enriching uranium.
Marriage and Family Life
On 30 June 2003, it was announced that Prince Friso would marry Mabel Wisse Smit. In the Netherlands, royal family members need permission from parliament to marry. If they don't get permission, they lose their place in the line to the throne.
The Dutch government decided not to ask parliament for permission for this marriage. This meant Prince Friso would lose his right to the throne. At that time, he was second in line after his older brother, Willem-Alexander.
Despite this, Prince Friso and Mabel Wisse Smit married on 24 April 2004. The wedding took place at the Oude Kerk (Delft). After their marriage, Mabel became a member of the Dutch Royal Family. However, she was not part of the official Dutch Royal House.
Prince Friso and Princess Mabel made their home in London. They lived in the suburb of Kew.
Their first daughter, Countess Emma Luana Ninette Sophie, was born on 26 March 2005 in London. Their second daughter, Countess Joanna Zaria Nicoline Milou, was born on 18 June 2006, also in London.
Skiing Accident and Health
The Accident Details
On 17 February 2012, Prince Friso was skiing in Lech, Austria. He was skiing off the marked slopes when an avalanche buried him. He was quickly taken to a hospital in Innsbruck. The Dutch government said his condition was "stable, but critical."
Health Complications
The Royal Family thanked everyone for their support after the accident. Doctors said it would take a few days to know more about his health. On 24 February, doctors announced that Prince Friso had been buried for 25 minutes. He then needed 50 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) because his heart had stopped.
Medical tests showed he had serious brain damage. This was caused by a lack of oxygen to his brain. It was not clear if he would ever fully wake up. The family asked for privacy during this difficult time.
On 1 March 2012, Prince Friso was moved to the Wellington Hospital in London. This was where he and his wife had lived for many years. In November 2012, it was announced that he was showing some small signs of consciousness. However, it was still uncertain if he would fully recover.
On 9 July 2013, Prince Friso was moved back to Huis ten Bosch in the Netherlands. His coma had changed to a "minimally conscious state." This meant he no longer needed hospital care. He stayed with his family for the summer.
Death and Funeral Services
Prince Friso died on 12 August 2013 at Huis ten Bosch. His death was due to problems from his skiing accident. He was buried on 16 August in the Dutch Reformed Cemetery. This cemetery is in Lage Vuursche, near Drakesteijn Castle. Prince Friso had spent his childhood there.
The funeral service was private. Only family and close friends attended. Members of other royal families did not attend, except for his godfather, King Harald V of Norway. A special ceremony to remember him was held on 2 November 2013. This took place in the Oude Kerk in Delft.
Titles and Honours
When Prince Friso was born, his title was His Royal Highness Prince Johan-Friso of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau.
After his marriage in 2004, his title changed. He was then known as His Royal Highness Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau, Count of Orange-Nassau. He kept the style of 'Royal Highness'. This change happened because he married without parliament's permission.
His children received the surname 'van Oranje-Nassau van Amsberg'. They also became 'Countess of Orange-Nassau'. This showed they were part of the royal family.
Prince Friso had also received some special honours. These included the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. He was also a Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau from birth.
Images for kids
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Royal Monogram
See also
In Spanish: Friso de Orange-Nassau para niños
