Video: Princess Beatrix privately celebrates 88th birthday at Drakensteyn Castle
Princess Beatrix marked her 88th birthday Saturday in private at Drakensteyn Castle, according to the Dutch Royal House. The former queen has no public engagements planned for the day, the Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD) confirmed.
Beatrix, who reigned from 1980 to 2013, was born on January 31, 1938, at Paleis Soestdijk. She is the eldest daughter of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard and the mother of King Willem-Alexander.
Following her abdication on April 30, 2013, Beatrix moved from Paleis Huis ten Bosch to Drakensteyn Castle in Lage Vuursche. Her registration as a resident of the village was formalized on February 4 with a ceremonial bouquet of flowers. The same year, her son Prince Friso passed away on August 12 after spending 18 months in a coma following a skiing accident.
Since stepping down, Beatrix has maintained an active schedule. She frequently visits cultural and societal events and supports volunteer initiatives. She is also into arts, regularly attending cultural award ceremonies. Beatrix also remains active in politics, reportedly frequently advising her son, King Willem-Alexander.
The Princess serves as patron of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. Recently, Beatrix has traveled to the Caribbean, visiting Bonaire, Sint-Eustatius, and Curaçao, where she participated in the release of a pelican named Oscar.
