Quick Read
- Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette are divorcing after 25 years of marriage.
- The separation is amicable, with a focus on co-parenting their three children.
- Princess Annette will relinquish her royal title following the divorce, reverting to Annette Sekrève.
- Prince Bernhard is a cousin of King Willem-Alexander and was removed from the direct line of succession in 2013.
- The couple last appeared publicly together during King’s Day celebrations in April 2025.
Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette of the Netherlands have announced their decision to divorce after 25 years of marriage, a significant development for the Dutch royal family that will see Princess Annette relinquish her royal title. The couple confirmed the amicable separation through a joint statement, emphasizing their commitment to co-parenting their three children: Isabella, Samuel, and Benjamin van Vollenhoven.
A Royal Separation After a Quarter-Century
The announcement, made recently, marks the end of a long-standing union within the Dutch royal house. In their joint statement, Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette expressed that the separation is by mutual agreement and with mutual respect, while acknowledging it remains a difficult step. They have requested privacy as they navigate this transition, underscoring their primary focus on providing a supportive environment for their children.
Following the divorce, Princess Annette will no longer hold her title, a change officially confirmed by the Government Information Service. She will revert to her maiden name, Annette Sekrève. However, the names of their children will remain unchanged, as they carry the family name van Vollenhoven, distinct from any royal titles.
The couple’s last public appearance together was during the King’s Day celebration in Doetinchem on April 26, 2025, where they were photographed together, just months before their separation was made public, according to reporting by SSBcrack News and GB News.
Journey From University to Royal Marriage
Prince Bernhard, the second son of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Pieter van Vollenhoven, met Annette Sekrève during their time at the University of Groningen in the 1990s. Their relationship blossomed, leading to their engagement announcement on March 11, 2000. They formally married in a civil ceremony conducted by the Mayor of Utrecht on July 6, 2000, followed by a religious blessing at the Cathedral of St. Martin in Utrecht two days later, on July 8.
Throughout their marriage, Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette expanded their family. Their daughter Isabella was born in 2002, followed by their sons Samuel in 2004 and Benjamin in 2008. Notably, unlike their father, the children do not hold royal titles and carry the surname van Vollenhoven, reflecting their position outside the immediate royal household and emphasizing their commitment to a more private family life, as reported by GB News.
Evolving Roles Within the Dutch Monarchy
Prince Bernhard’s status within the Dutch royal family has evolved over the years. As a cousin of the reigning monarch, King Willem-Alexander, he was once in the direct line of succession. However, this changed in 2013 when King Willem-Alexander ascended to the throne. Dutch constitutional rules restrict succession to those within three degrees of kinship to the sovereign, which meant Prince Bernhard and his siblings lost their places and ceased to be official members of the Royal House.
Despite this, Prince Bernhard remains an active individual. He is a self-employed entrepreneur engaged in real estate development through Pinnacle in Amsterdam. He also founded Lymph&Co, a company dedicated to funding research for effective lymphoma treatments, and Waterdream, specializing in bespoke aluminum yachts. Princess Annette, meanwhile, is involved with the Papageno Foundation Advisory Council and has contributed her efforts to the Belevenis Foundation, showcasing their continued professional and philanthropic endeavors.
Implications for the Future
The announcement raises questions about the future for both Prince Bernhard and Annette Sekrève as they move forward in their respective careers while fostering a supportive environment for their children. Their joint statement clearly indicates that shared parenting remains a priority, underscoring a modern approach to separation within a prominent public family. The transition will undoubtedly bring personal adjustments, but the stated mutual respect aims to ensure a stable future for their family.
The decision by Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette to divorce, while framed as amicable, underscores the ongoing challenges faced by members of European monarchies in balancing public roles with personal lives. The relinquishment of a royal title by Princess Annette further highlights the dynamic nature of royal protocols and the evolving expectations placed upon individuals connected to these institutions.