Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands

Willem-Alexander (Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand; born 27 April 1967), is the King of the Netherlands. 

Willem Alexander was born at University Medical Center Utrecht in Utrecht, He is the eldest child of Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus. He has been the head of the House of Amsberg since the death of his father in 2002. He served in the Dutch military. He studied history at Leiden University. 

King Willem-Alexander is interested in international water management issues and sports. He married Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti in 2002. They have three daughters: Princess Catharina-Amalia (born 2003), Princess Alexia (born 2005), and Princess Ariane (born 2007).

On 28 January 2013, the king's mother announced in a television broadcast that she would abdicate the throne. That made Willem-Alexander, King on 30 April 2013. He is the first king of the Netherlands since the death of his great-great-grandfather, William III, in 1890. Prins van Oranje wordt koning Willem-Alexander

Titles and styles and Honors and Military Ranks 
 27 April 1967 – 30 April 1980: His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau
 30 April 1980 – 30 April 2013: His Royal Highness The Prince of Orange, Prince of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau
 30 April 2013 – present: His Majesty The King of the Netherlands 
 Military Ranks 
 Royal Netherlands Navy-conscripted 
 Lieutenant at sea, third class (Ensign) (August 1985-January 1987)
 Lieutenant at sea, second class (Sub-lieutenant) (watch officer, 1988)
 Royal Netherlands Navy-reserve 
 Lieutenant at sea, second class (senior grade) (Lieutenant) (1988-1995)
 Lieutenant at sea, first class (Lieutenant Commander) (1995-1997)
 Captain-lieutenant at sea (Commander) (1997-2001)
 Captain at Sea (2001-2005)
 Commodore (2005-2013)
 Royal Netherlands Air Force-reserve 
 Squadron Leader (1995-2005)
 Air Commodore (2005-2013)
 National 
 Grand Master of the Military William Order 
 Grand Master and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion 
 Grand Master of the Order of Orange-Nassau 
 Co-Grand Master and Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau 
 Grand Master and Grand Cross of the Order of the House of Orange 
 Grand Master of the Order of the Crown 
 Grand Master of the Order for Loyalty and Merit 
 Honorary Commander of the Order of Saint John in the Netherlands 
 Grand Master of the Order of the Golden Ark 
 Recipient of the Eleven Cities Cross 
 Recipient of the Officer Long Service Cross 
 Recipient of the Queen Beatrix Inauguration Medal 
 Recipient of the Wedding Medal of Prince Willem-Alexander to Maxima Zorruigeta 

He was the first male heir apparent to the Dutch throne since Prince Alexander, son of King William III, who died in 1884. Prince Willem-Alexander had indicated that if he became king, he would take the name William IV,Interview with Paul Witteman , September 1997, Racchvs.com but it was announced on 28 January 2013 that his regnal name would be Willem-Alexander.

References

 Other websites 

  (English)
 Official website (Dutch)


Category:1967 births
Category:Living people
Category:Dutch Calvinists
Category:Kings and Queens of the Netherlands
Category:Sovereigns of the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands
Category:Recipients of the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands
Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands
Category:Recipients of the Order of the Legion of Honour
Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Legion of Honour
Category:Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Category:People from Utrecht (city)
Category:Current national leaders