Dutch crown princess moves out of student flat after security threats

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The Dutch crown princess, 18-year-old Catharina-Amalia, has moved from her student digs in Amsterdam to the royal palace due to threats to her security, the royal family has said.

The heir to the Dutch throne was only venturing out to attend classes at the University of Amsterdam, they said.

King Willem-Alexander spoke of a “very tough” situation during a state visit to Sweden on Thursday while ANP quoted Queen Maxima as saying the princess could “hardly leave the house”.

“It has huge consequences for her life. It means she doesn’t live in Amsterdam and also that she can’t really go outside,” Queen Maxima added.

Amalia began studying at the University of Amsterdam in September and had moved into an apartment in Amsterdam, but the royal couple now said concerns for her safety had forced her to move back to Huis ten Bosch royal palace in The Hague.

“The consequences are very difficult for her. No student life for her, like other students have … It’s not nice to see your child live like that. She can go to university, but that’s it,” Queen Maxima said.

Princess Amalia is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in politics, psychology, law and economics.

There were no details of the nature of the threats however last month, several Dutch media outlets reported that the princess was under heightened security due to fears that criminal gangs may target her for kidnapping or an attack.

Prime minister Mark Rutte branded it a “terrible” situation and said he was “very worried”, according to Dutch public television NOS.

“I guarantee that our security services are working day and night to ensure her security,” justice and security minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius tweeted in Dutch.

The mass-circulation De Telegraaf had reported in September that security had been beefed up for the crown princess due to fears she could be targeted by criminals.

Last year, Princess Amalia wrote to the prime minister to waive her right to EUR1.6m (?1.4m) a year in income and personal and household expenses because accepting it would make her feel “uncomfortable”.

The eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander said in a handwritten letter to Mark Rutte that she did not want to take up her allowance until she had proper royal duties.

She said she would repay the EUR300,000 a year income she was entitled to as long as she was still a student, and would not claim EUR1.3m in expenses “until I incur high costs in my role as Princess of Orange”.

Agence France-Presse and Reuters contributed to this report