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The Rise of Female Royals in Europe: A Glimpse at Princess Catharina-Amalia

In the landscape of European monarchies, an evident shift is towards a female-led future. Despite the British royal family being represented by a male King and his two male heirs, many other royal lineages across Europe are showcasing the next generation of female leaders, including Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands.

The young royal, now 21, recently made headlines during a state visit by donning the exquisite 137-year-old Mellerio Ruby Parure Tiara. Accompanying the tiara were matching earrings, complementing her lavender Safiyaa dress—a fashion choice favored by both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. The Mellerio Ruby Parure Tiara is a notable piece from the Dutch royal family’s collection, crafted by the renowned French jeweler Mellerio, as reported by Town & Country.

The history of the tiara is rich, as it was originally created for Queen Emma around 1888 and has been worn by every Dutch queen since, including Amalia’s mother, Queen Maxima. Maxima showcased the tiara at a state banquet in December while Amalia opted for the Dutch Star Tiara during the same event.

On April 15, 2025, Princess Catharina-Amalia, along with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, welcomed Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman for a state banquet, marking Amalia’s third such occasion. This event follows her first banquet exactly one year prior, where the Spanish royal couple, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, were hosted. It’s noteworthy that the title of Princess of Orange is reserved for the heir apparent, akin to the Prince of Wales title in the UK.

As a student at the University of Amsterdam, Princess Catharina-Amalia has always displayed a keen interest in tiaras. In her 2021 biography, she revealed, “I love tiaras. Show me a tiara, and I’ll know where it came from. I can recognize all the tiaras of Europe,” showcasing her deep knowledge and appreciation for royal heritage.

Sharing fond memories, she reminisced about her childhood experiences trying on her mother’s jewelry, mentioning, “I really liked to be in my mother’s jewelry anyway. When I was very little, she was preparing for an important dinner, and she shouted around the house, ‘Amalia, where’s that ring?’”

Looking ahead, while Princess Catharina-Amalia is undoubtedly poised for a future as queen, she expressed her desire for that timeline to be distant. “I said to my father, ‘You just keep on eating healthy and exercising a lot,’” she commented to her biographer Claudia de Breij, reflecting her wish for her family to maintain their current roles for as long as possible.

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