The life of a royal is certainly one of boundless luxury. The lucky heirs to the world's monarchs grow up with the solidified fact that they'll be swimming in endless euros and francs for the rest of their lives.
Though one bright princess is looking to go against the grain of royal tradition. It was recently was announced that Princess Amalia (the oldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and next in line for Dutch throne) will not be accepting her $1.9 million allowance.
Amalia, now seventeen years old, recently passed all her final exams with flying colors. She intends to take a gap year off before enrolling into university.
Like all royal children, she's said to receive a pretty hefty, annual allowance starting the year she turns eighteen. Though, with the blowback of the pandemic fresh on her mind, she began to rethink whether or not she wanted the €1.6 million (equivalent to around $1.9 million).
€300,000 of the allowance would be her income, while material expenses and personal compensation would come out of the remaining €1.3 million.
With a heavy heart, the princess sent a handwritten letter to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. In the letter, she explains her choice in rejecting the allowance until her actual royal duties are set in place.
"On 7 December 2021 I will be 18 and, according to the law, receive an allowance," the letter reads, "I find that uncomfortable as long as I do not do anything for it in return, and while other students have a much tougher time of it, particularly in this period of coronavirus."
She goes on to say that she plans to graciously repay the annual €300,000 income until she's graduated university, as it will ultimately be deposited into her bank account. This decision stands as the first time in royal history that an heir has declined their allowance.
Via: Wikimedia Commons
Amalia's life as the soon-to-be Dutch queen has certainly been one of grandeur. She received the title, Princess of Orange, in 2013 when her father was inaugurated. Each year, her birthday is celebrated with a concert at the famous Kloosterker in The Hague with a ton of ambassadors and other high brow members of society on the guest list. On her seventh birthday, a military aircraft that was once owned by her great grandfather was renamed in her honor.
When she passed her exams this week, her school rucksack was flown from the palace's flagpole in celebration.
Sources: NOS, Royal Central, Fox News