Princess Amalia dedicates tulip garden to Madrid in thanks for shelter during threats
A Dutch tulip garden has been unveiled in central Madrid to commemorate Crown Princess Amalia’s time in the Spanish capital, RTL reports. The garden, located in Plaza Oriente, a major square near the Royal Palace, serves as a reminder of the year Amalia spent in Madrid under protection due to threats made against her in the Netherlands.
During a ceremony held earlier on Monday, Princess Amalia revealed a plaque marking the garden's dedication. “Madrid is my second home,” Amalia said. “Especially during a particularly difficult time for me.”
Amalia also expressed her gratitude, saying, "In a very Dutch way, we want to thank everyone who gave me safety and well-being here in Madrid."
The tulip garden features seven different varieties of tulips, including both early and late bloomers. The garden is situated in a part of the square where the color orange predominates. Surrounding the tulips are orange marigolds, planted by the city of Madrid. A plaque reads: "Thank you for my time in Madrid. Enjoy the tulips."
King Willem-Alexander, speaking on the podcast Through the Eyes of the King, expressed immense pride in his daughter for enduring the challenging period away from her family. He also noted how deeply the situation had affected them all. “The uncertainty, the lack of freedom, that is not how you want to raise your children, and it’s not what you want to give your children,” the King said.
Queen Máxima also spoke of the emotional strain of having to miss her daughter. “Every time she left, it was with a tear and a smile,” she said. “Amalia is a wise girl, a very smart one, so I could handle it very well.”
Amalia lived in Madrid for over a year to escape the severe threats made against her in the Netherlands. While in Spain, she continued her studies at the University of Amsterdam remotely, often completing her coursework at Spanish academic institutions, according to multiple media outlets, including De Telegraaf.
She had initially looked forward to living and studying in Amsterdam, where she enrolled in the interdisciplinary Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE) program. But in September 2022, it was revealed that Amalia and Prime Minister Mark Rutte had been named as potential kidnapping targets by members of organized crime groups in the Netherlands.
In October 2022, Queen Máxima publicly confirmed that Amalia was no longer able to leave the royal residence in The Hague and had remained inside on her 19th birthday. By January 2023, Amalia was seen on an unannounced visit to Madrid with her mother, and De Telegraaf reported that she had already taken up residence in the city. Amalia returned to Amsterdam for her studies in early 2024 and has since moved into student housing in the capital.
In August 2023, Dutch police arrested a 40-year-old man, Mohamad E., on suspicion of plotting to kidnap or kill the crown princess. He denied the charges, calling them “insane.”
