Dutch King Willem
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has thanked Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia for 'a touching show of friendship at a difficult time' - after they 'helped arrange' his daughter's year-long stay in Madrid amid kidnapping fears.
The Dutch monarch, 56, and his wife Queen Maxima, 52, were hosting the Spanish royals for a glitzy state banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam on Wednesday, as part of their two-day state visit to the country.
Joining them was their eldest daughter, 20-year-old Crown Princess Amalia, who was making her debut at her first-ever state banquet in the Dutch capital.
It was revealed earlier in the day that the princess had fled to Spain to escape threats to her safety by organised crime groups in the Netherlands and studied in Madrid for more than a year, according to a report by local media.
In a moving speech, King Willem-Alexander gave a touching thank you to King Felipe for helping Amalia after she was forced to abandon plans to live in student digs over security fears, just weeks after she started at Amsterdam University in October 2022.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (pictured right) made a touching speech in honour of King Felipe of Spain (pictured left) for 'helping arrange' his daughter's stay in Madrid
Crown Princess Amalia of the Netherlands made her debut at the royal banquet in Amsterdam on Wednesday - just hours after it was revealed she had fled to Spain for a year
According to Dutch papers Nos News and AD, he said: 'A visit to Spain always feels like an embrace. Not only for us, but also for our eldest daughter.
'Last year, circumstances required her to live in Madrid. From there she was able to continue her studies at the University of Amsterdam. This was made possible by the kind efforts of many of your countrymen and yourself.
'A touching show of friendship at a difficult time. I would like to sincerely thank you and all others who helped arrange this.'
In his remarkably personal speech, the monarch added that the Dutch royal couple have a 'special place in our hearts' for Spain since it is where he met his wife Maxima for the first time, 25 years ago.
'Sparks flew, and the rest is history,' he said, while showing the closeness of his friendship with Felipe by putting his arm round his shoulders, as the four senior royals raised a toast to the future of their countries.
Amalia, heir to the Dutch throne, was captured beaming by photographers when she started her studies in politics, psychology, law and economics, with much made of the fact that she planned to live in student accommodation.
But the royal couple later said their daughter had been forced to return to the heavily guarded palace in The Hague following kidnapping threats.
A new report by Dutch public broadcaster NOS this week revealed the Princess of Orange did ultimately escape the confines of The Hague and has studied in Madrid for more than a year, citing royal sources.
Amalia, the eldest of three sisters and first in line to the throne, is said to speak fluent Spanish thanks to her mother, who is Argentinian by birth.
King Willem-Alexander put a sporting arm around King Felipe as they demonstrated their close friendship
King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, Crown Princess Amalia, and Princesses Beatrix and Margriet during the official photo prior to the state banquet with King Felipe and Queen Letizia at the Royal Palace
The occasion marks the first time Crown Princess Amalia has taken part in a state visit
The royals were all smiles as they raised their glasses on a table embellished with roses
Officials would not confirm details of Amalia's initial departure from her studies in Amsterdam, but the move came weeks after reports that Amalia and Prime Minister Mark Rutte were mentioned in communications by organised crime groups - leading to fears of kidnappings.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at the time: 'I'm very sorry for her and I'm obviously very concerned about it.'
Queen Letizia of Spain and Maxima of the Netherlands look equally chic as they attend a welcome ceremony for the Spanish royals' state visit
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He added that Dutch authorities were doing everything to ensure that the princess is safe.
'She can't live in Amsterdam and she can't really go outside (the palace)... It has enormous consequences on her life. There is no student life for her like others have,' said an emotional Queen Maxima at the time.
Amalia herself told reporters during a royal family tour of the Caribbean early last year that she missed 'the normal life of a student', having hoped she would be able to enjoy the student experience like her peers.
'Sadly the reality was different,' she said.
Her father, King Willem-Alexander, said in the podcast Through the Eyes of the King that the situation had 'had a very hard impact' on his daughter and his family.
'The uncertainty, the lack of freedom, that is not how you want to raise your children and what you want to pass on to your children,' he said.
The Minister for Justice and Security, Dilan Yesilgöz, told reporters in the weeks following Amalia's withdrawal from studies in Amsterdam: 'I guarantee that our security services work hard day and night to guarantee her safety.
'It is terrible that this is necessary, in the first place for the Crown Princess herself.'
NOS this week said the threat to Amalia had not completely disappeared, but she was able to return from Madrid to live and study in the Netherlands again due to unspecified 'measures'.
It was not clear what circumstances had changed that allowed for her safe return.
She is said to have been living in Amsterdam once again since February, and is continuing her studies.
Princess Amalia of The Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands, Queen Maxima of The Netherlands, Princess Ariane of The Netherlands and Princess Alexia of The Netherlands during a photo session at Palace Huis ten Bosch on December 22, 2023 in The Hague, Netherlands
Posting on the Dutch Royal Family's official social media accounts in December, Amalia thanked her followers and fans for 20th birthday wishes - but made no mention of her living arrangements.
The words were accompanied by a black-and-white photo of her smiling on a boat.
In the message of thanks, the future Dutch queen said: 'Many thanks for all the congratulations I received on the occasion of my 20th birthday. All the heartwarming messages made my day even more special.'
News of the Princess' return to Amsterdam comes as Amalia played her first official role as a royal in the two-day state visit of the Spanish royals to the Netherlands.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain were welcomed by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima in front of the majestic Dam Palace this morning.
The glamorous royals then attended a lavish state banquet together this evening in Amsterdam.