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Queen Máxima is to become Princess Amalia’s regent in case King Willem-Alexander dies prior to 2021. In a joint meeting, the First and Second Chambers of the Dutch Parliament unanimously adopted three draft laws to this effect on Tuesday, writes The Daily Herald. Crown Princess Amalia will be 10 years old on Saturday and will remain in the Queen’s parental care until she turns 18. As regent, the Queen will be assisted by a five-member Supervisory Council. Two members are to be appointed by the royal family. The other members are the Vice-President of the Council of State, the President of the General Audit Chamber and the President of the High Court of the Netherlands. The King’s brother Prince Constantijn is next in line after Queen Máxima to become regent of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The pro-forma law is to provide a seamless continuation of the monarchy in unforeseen circumstances. In 1890, the regency regulation came into force after the passing of King Willem III. Heir to the throne Princess Wilhelmina was 10 years old at that time. Queen Emma was regent for eight years, until Wilhelmina accessed the throne in 1898. During Tuesday’s brief ceremony, Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed the Dutch government’s hope that this law “would never have to be applied.”
Chairman of the preparatory committee Centre-Democrat D66 senator Hans Engels echoed the Prime Minister’s words. Engels mentioned the “energetic way” in which the parliaments of Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten had adopted the draft law “based on the Statute for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.” President of the Parliament of Aruba Marisol Lopez Tromp and President of Parliament of St. Maarten Gracita Arrindell both expressed wishes that the draft laws would never have to be used. Members of the First and Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament attended the meeting, which was chaired by President of the Joint Meeting Ankie Broekers-Knol. Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk, Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten, Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba Alfonso Boekhoudt, Marvelyne Wiels, Mathias Voges, Aruba Member of Parliament (MP) Gervais Herdé and MP Alex Rosaria from Curaçao were also in attendance.
