Princess Ariane of the Netherlands’ post-high school plans have been revealed. According to Blauw Bloed, Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander‘s 18-year-old daughter will be taking a gap year, just as her sisters Princess Catharina Amalia and Princess Alexia did.
The outlet reported on Sept. 1 that “After the summer holidays, Princess Ariane is opting not to pursue a new course of study, but to take a gap year. Ariane plans to travel and work during her gap year.” The Dutch Princess graduated from UWC Adriatic in Italy this past May, and received her International Baccalaureate diploma in July.
During the Dutch royal family’s annual summer photo session this year, Princess Catharina-Amalia remarked that Ariane grew during her time in Italy. “Now she is suddenly a grown woman,” the Princess of Orange said (translated to English), per AD. Meanwhile, Alexia described her little sister as “one of the sweetest girls” she knows, calling Ariane “so gentle and smart.”
Ariane is the youngest of Maxima and Willem-Alexander’s daughters. She is currently third in line to the Dutch throne.
Both Amalia and Alexia took gap years before beginning their university studies. The Princess of Orange, who graduated from Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet in 2021, spent part of her gap year interning at the Orange Fund and volunteering for organizations. “I will take those experiences with me into the future and also provide enormous personal growth,” the future Queen said of her gap year in 2021. “Just like my school days and my studies will be, I consider that as private. Also because it is about personal growth.”
Princess Alexia followed in her older sister’s footsteps, taking a gap year after her graduation from UWC Atlantic in Wales in 2023. At King’s Day 2024, Alexia revealed (via RTL) that her gap year included “a little work” and “a little travel.” She said, “In a gap year like this, every moment is special. I enjoyed everything very much.”
© Patrick van Katwijk/Getty ImagesAlexia began her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at University College London (UCL) last year, while Amalia celebrated her graduation from the University of Amsterdam’s Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE) program back in July. In the 2025–2026 academic year, the Princess of Orange will begin a bachelor’s program in Dutch law at the University of Amsterdam and will also be participating in the two-year part-time military work and study program at Defensity College.
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