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Princess Amalia of the Netherlands (archive image)
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Patrick van Katwijk / dpa
Order of knights, carillon and gold postage stamp: On the occasion of her 18th birthday, the Dutch Crown Princess Amalia received high honors.
King Willem-Alexander, 54, made the eldest of his three daughters Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Dutch Lion and Knight of the House Order of the Golden Lion of Nassau, as announced by the royal family.
The award of heirs to the throne has a long tradition in the Netherlands.
In 1898, Queen Wilhelmina was the first woman to be appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Lions.
Since then, all children of the head of state have been honored with this award on their 18th birthday.
As an adult, the Crown Princess now has the right to succeed her father on the throne.
The Princess of Orange now also has a seat on the Council of State, a constitutional body that advises the government.
On Wednesday, King Willem-Alexander, chairman of the Council of State, will introduce her to this post in a special session.
Special postage stamp worth 50 euros
Amalia received congratulations from all over the country, some in a very special way.
For example, the Royal Glockenspieler Association had a special birthday song composed.
The work entitled "Amalia Achttien" ("Amalia Eighteen") is to be performed by carillon players in all parts of the country over the next few days.
And the Dutch Post had 750 copies of a special postage stamp with a portrait of the future queen made - using 24-carat gold.
Unit price: 50 euros.
Crown Princess Amalia's day of honor was "a special moment for our country and a splendid milestone for her," tweeted Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
"I wish her a pleasant and, above all, festive day."
However, larger public celebrations had to be avoided in consideration of the corona protective measures.
It was also unclear whether Amalia's grandmother, Princess Beatrix, could congratulate her personally.
The 83-year-old former queen had recently tested positive for Corona - even though she had already been vaccinated three times.
bam / dpa