Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, the second daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, has been making headlines recently for her expensive taste. The 16-year-old princess is set to attend the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales, where the tuition fees amount to a staggering £67,000 ($92,000) per year. The news has led many to wonder: who pays for Princess Alexia’s education, and what other expenses are covered by the Dutch Royal Family?
The Dutch Royal Family is funded by the Dutch government, which allocates an annual budget for the maintenance of the royal household, as well as the salaries and expenses of the King, Queen, and other members of the royal family. The budget is subject to scrutiny by the Dutch parliament, and any excess funds are returned to the state treasury. In 2021, the Dutch government allocated €48.5 million ($57 million) for the maintenance and expenses of the royal household.
This budget covers a wide range of expenses, including the salaries of the King and Queen, the maintenance of royal palaces and gardens, and the costs of official state visits and ceremonies. It also covers the education expenses of the royal children, including Princess Alexia.
However, the Dutch Royal Family is known for its frugal and modest lifestyle, and the members of the family are expected to contribute to the cost of their own expenses, including education. In the case of Princess Alexia, it is not clear whether her parents, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, will be paying for her tuition fees at the United World College of the Atlantic, or whether they will be covered by the Dutch government.
It is worth noting that the Dutch Royal Family has a tradition of attending boarding schools abroad. King Willem-Alexander and his brothers, Prince Friso and Prince Constantijn, all attended the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales, where Princess Alexia will be studying. Princess Alexia’s older sister, Princess Amalia, is currently attending the UWC South East Asia in Singapore, where the tuition fees are also high.
The education of the royal children is seen as an important investment in their future, as it prepares them for their roles as future monarchs and representatives of the Netherlands. It also exposes them to different cultures and languages, and helps them develop a global perspective.
In addition to education expenses, the Dutch Royal Family is also responsible for their own personal expenses, such as clothing, travel, and entertainment. They are expected to maintain a certain level of discretion and modesty in their spending, and to avoid ostentatious displays of wealth.
The Dutch monarchy has been the subject of criticism in the past for its expenses, particularly in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. In response, the Royal Family has made efforts to reduce their spending and become more transparent about their finances. In 2017, for example, King Willem-Alexander announced that he would no longer receive an allowance for personal expenses, and that his salary would be subject to income tax.
Overall, while the Dutch Royal Family is funded by the Dutch government, they are expected to contribute to their own expenses, including education. The education of Princess Alexia and her siblings is seen as an important investment in their future as representatives of the Netherlands, and they are expected to maintain a modest and discreet lifestyle in their spending.
