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Princess Ariane during their annual winter photo session at Huis ten Bosch palace. 22 December 2023
Princess Ariane during their annual winter photo session at Huis ten Bosch palace. 22 December 2023 - Credit: RVD / Koninklijkhuis / RVD / Koninklijkhuis - License: All Rights Reserved
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Princess Ariane
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Monday, 27 April 2026 - 19:30

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Princess Ariane reveals she will study aerospace engineering at TU Delft

Princess Ariane announced Monday that she will begin studying aerospace engineering at TU Delft after the summer vacation, revealing the news during King's Day celebrations in Dokkum.

"I am very happy that I have been admitted," the 19-year-old princess said in a short interview with NOS. "I am very happy; it is an enormous opportunity."

The youngest princess completed her International Baccalaureate at the United World College Adriatic in Italy last summer and then took a gap year to travel and orient herself on her future, just as her sisters did. Before her two years in Italy, she completed the first four years of high school at Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet in The Hague, cycling daily from Paleis Huis ten Bosch.

According to AD, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visibly glowed with pride when their youngest daughter shared the news in Dokkum.

She shares her name with a series of launch vehicles from the European Space Agency (ESA). In French, Ariane stands for Ariadne, the figure from Greek mythology. The rocket is named after this French name.

Princess Amalia, 22, began this month as a military work student with the Royal Air Force. "They are super educational days" and "a fun way to get to know Defense," she said. She will follow in her father's footsteps at the Air Force. King Willem-Alexander performed his military service with the Royal Navy and was later active with the army and air force.

Princess Alexia, 20, switched studies in 2024 and is now following the bachelor's program in civil engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of University College London. She said she is "super happy" with her education but called it "super demanding." "But I find it very fun, and it is important to do what you like," Alexia said.

Queen Máxima, 54, who registered in February as a reservist with the Royal Army, said it is "fantastic to work with so many people who want to commit themselves to the safety of our country."

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