Statement by the Government Information Service on behalf of the Royal Family
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, Her Majesty Queen Máxima and Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands are deeply saddened to announce the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Christina of the Netherlands on Friday morning 16 August 2019 at Noordeinde Palace complex in The Hague. The Princess, who had been suffering from bone cancer for several years, was 72.
Maria Christina, Princess of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld was born at Soestdijk Palace in Baarn on 18 February 1947. She was the fourth daughter of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, and the youngest sister of Princess Beatrix. In 1975 Princess Christina married Jorge Guillermo, with whom she had three children: Bernardo, Nicolás and Juliana. Since her marriage, which ended in divorce in 1996, Princess Christina was no longer in line to the throne. She lived in New York and in Italy, among other places.
Princess Christina studied vocal teaching, and in recent years, alongside her passion for singing and music, she took an interest in dance therapy and sound therapy. In the Netherlands she worked in Huizen and Breda with the Visio foundation, sharing her knowledge of techniques related to dance, sound and physical contact in support of the blind and visually impaired. Princess Christina was a member of the Advisory Committee of the Princess Christina Competition, which was named in her honour. The competition seeks to introduce Dutch children to music and encourage them to develop their talents.
Princess Christina’s remains will be taken to Fagel’s Garden Pavilion in the grounds of Noordeinde Palace, where close friends and family will pay their last respects. The cremation will be held in private. The family will open an online book of condolence.
