Dutch Crown Princess Amalia moves to Spain to escape kidnapping threats

The Hague:

Dutch Crown Princess Amalia, who fled to Spain to escape security threats, is preparing to make her official appearance at a state event later on Wednesday, local media reported. The 20-year-old has been living and studying in Madrid for more than a year, public broadcaster NOS reported, citing royal sources.

In October 2022, Amalia was forced to abandon plans to live in student accommodation due to safety concerns, just weeks after she started studying Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics at the University of Amsterdam.

Photographers captured the heir to the Dutch throne beaming as she began her studies, largely because she planned to live in a student dormitory.

But the royal couple later said their daughter was forced to return to the heavily guarded palace in The Hague.

“She couldn’t live in Amsterdam and she couldn’t really step outside[the palace]… it had a huge impact on her life,” an emotional Queen Máxima said at the time.

Officials would not confirm details, but reports weeks ago that organized crime gangs mentioned Amalia and Prime Minister Mark Rutte in communications, raising concerns about kidnapping.

NOS said the threat against Amalia had not completely disappeared but that thanks to unspecified “measures” she was able to live and study in the Netherlands again.

She reportedly now lives in Amsterdam.

On Wednesday, Amalia will play her first official role during a two-day state visit by the Spanish royal family.

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