Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima’s 19-year-old daughter, has started university.
The Dutch Royal House has shared new photos of the princess on her first day at Delft University, where she will study Aeronautics and Astronautics. The royal couple’s daughter looked so grown up with a big smile on her face and a large bag containing everything she needs for her next exciting chapter.
The Princess wore colorful striped trousers and a shirt, as well as a suede handbag and a hair clip to keep her hair out of her way while taking notes. The Dutch Royal House has already stated that the time the Princess spends studying is considered private.
All about where she will study
Ariane, who is third in line to the Dutch throne, confirmed her university studies on 27 April, coinciding with King’s Day (her father’s birthday).
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is one of Europe’s most prestigious technological institutions. Founded in 1842, it is renowned for its excellence in engineering, design, technology, and applied research. This Dutch public university, located in the city of Delft, is considered a global leader and maintains strategic collaborations with global institutions and companies such as NASA, ESA, Boeing, Airbus, Intel, Microsoft, Philips, and ASML, reinforcing its role as a driver of technological innovation.
“I’m very happy, it’s a great opportunity,” she said last April after being admitted following a rigorous selection process.
Aerospace Engineering is not a degree typically pursued by princes and princesses of royal houses, who usually opt for more social science or legal fields. However, within the House of Orange, it does have a certain tradition.
Her uncle, the late Prince Friso, also specialised in the aerospace industry after studying mechanical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Meanwhile, King Willem-Alexander is a great aviation enthusiast. In fact, he is a pilot and has even landed his own plane on some official trips abroad. He obtained his private pilot’s license, Class II, more than four decades ago.
© Alamy Stock PhotoAriane’s high school
Before university, Ariane of the Netherlands completed her secondary education at a UWC school, the same school attended by Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofía. Instead of attending her school in Wales, she studied in Duino, Italy.
After her time at this boarding school, she took a gap year before deciding on her academic path, which focused on aerospace engineering.
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