Princess Amalia of the Netherlands returns to Spain after living there in secret for a year because of kidnap threats during university

Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands has returned to Spain where she spent a year living in secret when threats emerged of a possible kidnap attempt.

The heir to the Dutch throne, who is now 21, made the visit to Madrid without her parents King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, thanking the people of Spain for “[taking] care of my safety and well-being” acknowledging that it had been “at a time that was difficult in the Netherlands”.

It was Princess Amalia’s first solo engagement abroad.

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The princess was in the Spanish capital to dedicate a new tulip garden named in her honour, outside the royal palace in the Plaza de Oriente.

Tulips are the national flower of the Netherlands and are often gifted as a symbol of gratitude.

The princess, who speaks fluent Spanish as her mother grew up in Argentina, thanked those in attendance.

“Madrid is like a second home for me, especially at a time that was difficult in the Netherlands,” she said at the garden’s unveiling on Monday.

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“In this very Dutch way, I want to thank everyone who took care of my safety and well-being in Madrid. Thank you very much.”

The princess said Madrid was very much “part of my home [and] special.”

In April 2024 – when Princess Amalia had already returned to the Netherlands – her time living in Spain was revealed.

It was King Willem-Alexander who confirmed the reports during a state dinner to The Hague by Spain’s visiting King Felipe and Queen Letizia.

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“Visiting Spain is always like receiving a warm hug,” Willem-Alexander said.

“Not just for us, but also for our eldest daughter, the Princess of Orange. Last year, circumstances forced her to live for a while in Madrid.

“From there, she was able to continue her studies at the University of Amsterdam. This was made possible thanks to the generous efforts of many of your fellow countrymen and yourselves. A touching display of friendship in a difficult time.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to you and to all who helped organise this.”

Much had been made about Princess Amalia beginning a degree in politics, psychology, law and economics at the University of Amsterdam in September, 2022, and moving into her shared student accommodation.

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But when threats to her life emerged in October, the heir to the throne moved back to the royal palace at The Hague.

Princess Amalia and then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte appeared in organised crime communications, which indicated they may become a target of kidnapping or an attack.

Security measures around both figures were increased and Princess Amalia moved to Spain to continue her education via correspondence, in secret.

At the time Queen Maxima said her daughter, who was then 18, was unable to enjoy the life that fellow students were leading.

“There is no student life for her like others have,” Maxima said.

Appearing teary at a media conference while visiting Sweden, the Queen said: “She hasn’t left the house. That means she doesn’t live in Amsterdam.

“It has enormous consequences for her life.”

Asked what it did to him “as a father”, King Willem-Alexander acknowledged it was “a heavy situation”.

Princess Amalia joined her parents on a royal visit to the Caribbean in January, 2023, where she told reporters she missed “the normal life of a student”.

While visiting the Dutch island of Sint Maarten, Amalia told the media she had gone into her student years thinking she would be doing everything her peers were doing but “sadly the reality was different”.

It is believed she had already moved to Spain at this time.

Princess Amalia lived in Madrid for a year where she was able to enjoy greater freedom of movement there, according to sources quoted by public broadcaster NOS.

She is understood to have returned to the Netherlands in late 2023.

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