Princess Amalia Joins Dutch Royals for Opening of Parliament as Family Marks Prinsjesdag
Heir to the throne and her parents appeared together on the Noordeinde Palace balcony as authorities continue to probe deepfake attacks targeting the princess
Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands stood beside King Willem‑Alexander and Queen Máxima on Tuesday as the Dutch royal family marked the annual opening of parliament, Prinsjesdag, in The Hague.
The 21‑year‑old heir and her mother coordinated neutral-toned ensembles for the occasion; Queen Máxima wore a long-sleeved grey scoop-neck gown with a matching fascinator while Princess Amalia appeared in a cream satin caped gown and a wide-brimmed headpiece. The king delivered the traditional government speech at the Royal Theatre and the family later waved to assembled crowds from the balcony of Noordeinde Palace.
Also on the balcony were Princess Alexia, 20, and Princess Ariane, 18, who each wore formal gowns and gloves. Members of the extended royal family attended the ceremony as well, including Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien. King Willem‑Alexander appeared in a formal morning dress with tails for the government address, a customary role in which the monarch reads a speech prepared by the Dutch cabinet.
The appearance came weeks after Princess Amalia was reported to have been the subject of manipulated intimate videos created using artificial intelligence. Dutch authorities, in cooperation with international partners, have taken steps to remove material from websites and to pursue those responsible; news reports said a range of sites, including MrDeepFakes, had been targeted in takedown efforts. Dutch officials and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation were reported to have collaborated on parts of the response. No arrests have been publicly announced.
The palace has said the princess is receiving support from her parents following the incident. Amalia met last week with Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema during a solo visit to the city, a public engagement that came after media reports in August described the circulation of manipulated videos featuring her image and those of other Dutch women.
The creation and distribution of this type of deepfake content is a criminal offence in the Netherlands. Under Dutch law, offenders can face up to a year in prison for making such material, with heavier penalties for repeat offences.
Amalia has previously written and studied on the subject. She completed a university thesis examining artificial intelligence and the legal protection of individuals affected by manipulated images. The princess has also faced other security concerns: she spent more than a year living in Spain after reports that organised crime groups had discussed threats to prominent figures, including mentions of the princess and senior politicians. At the time, then–Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he was "very sorry for her and... very concerned about it."
Prinsjesdag, held every third Tuesday in September, is the Netherlands' most formal parliamentary opening. The monarch's speech sets out government policy prepared by the cabinet; the royal family's public appearance on the Noordeinde Palace balcony to greet crowds is a long-standing tradition. This year's event combined that ceremonial duty with heightened public attention on the privacy and safety issues surrounding the heir to the throne.