Queen Máxima Shares Rare Details About Her Relationship with Oldest Daughter

The queen, 53, recently shared never-before-heard details about her oldest daughter, who is following in her footsteps. Princess Catharina-Amalia, 20, is currently enrolled at the University of Amsterdam, where she’s studying politics, psychology, law and economics (all subjects that are related to her mother’s philanthropic work). 

Queen Máxima revealed that Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia seeks her advice on occasion. “Do we pick each other’s brains? Well, she asks me a lot of questions,” the queen told Hola! magazine. “And when she has to write papers, yes, she often asks me for feedback. I then give her my advice or tell her examples from my work.”

Queen Máxima admitted that all three of her daughters—including Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia (19) and Princess Ariane (17)—have taught her valuable life lessons. “It is always useful to learn from younger people, because they have a completely different perspective,” the queen said. “So absolutely—I learn from everyone I meet, including my daughters.”

She revealed that her schedule is very busy because she’s a working royal in addition to other endeavors (like her Special Advocate role for the United Nations). Still, Queen Máxima admitted that she’s lucky to have such a solid support system. 

“My husband [King Willem-Alexander] and three daughters have all been a huge support,” she continued. “As a mother, I sometimes had to make difficult decisions. As a working woman, I often had to leave the children and my husband behind. My mother’s heart has always broken a little.”

I can’t wait to see what Princess Catharina-Amalia does with her degree. 

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