Dutch Princess Ariane turned 18 today. Princess Ariane, the third child of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, was born in The Hague on 10 April 2007. The Royal Court released four new portraits on the occasion of the Princess's 18th birthday. The photos were taken by photographer Frank Ruiter at Huis ten Bosch Palace.
Princess Ariane is currently in the final weeks of her two-year International Baccalaureate studies at United World College Adriatic in Duino, Italy.
On the occasion of her 18th birthday, King Willem-Alexander appointed Princess Ariane as Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion and as Knight of the House Order of the Golden Lion. From now on, she is also entitled to use her personal standard.
In her first appearance, Princess Ariane wore a mint green broderie anglaise dress by Farm Rio, paired with Queen Juliana’s diamond and aquamarine earrings. In the second look, Princess Ariane opted for a red lace Self-Portrait midi dress with her mother Queen Máxima's diamond chandelier earrings.
La princesse Ariane est vraiment belle - Le photographe qui a effectué ses portraits nous la montre comme si elle avait plus de 18 ans ; avec ses soeurs, elle forme une magnifique fratrie !
ReplyDeleteVery artistic photos, maybe a little bit too artistic for my taste - more art(ificial) than real life, probably at the photographers suggestion. The photos are beutiful, Ariane is a beauty, no question. But where is her unbelievable hair colour, to be admired in natural light - now almost completely lost in the shadow, as is half of her head and body. Would have loved more light and maybe a greater variety of poses. Not to mention at least a light smile.
ReplyDeleteI would like to correct myself, it is Alexia with that wild hair colour. But even then, too much artistic shadow and too little of beautiful Ariane.
DeletePhotography is like many art forms--it evolves with time. Photography from 100 years ago doesn't look like the photography of today. Whether or not I would choose this style myself, I can see the advantage. These are formal portraits that make sure the focus is entirely on Ariane, without the distraction of the overly ornate background of their home. We also need to remember that this is only a sampling of the photos taken. The family decided this is what they wanted to make public, and most likely have dozens more in varying degrees of formality that remain private.
DeleteReally not suitable photos to celebrate an 18y birthday. Far too dark. I cannot feel joy behind them, but a photographer who did what he wanted and experiment.
Delete@ Anon. 22:47
DeleteSince when Princess Alexia has wild hair ? She has red in her hair since she was a baby. Former queens Juliana and Beatrix had red shadow in their blond hair. King Willem Alexander has a light red beard. It is not because Princess Alexia is not as blond as her sister CP Amalia or darker blond like her other sister Princess Ariane that she has a wild color. In fact I wonder what a wild color looks like.
Oh my gosh she has turned into a women overnight. Lovely dresses.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful girl!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to P. Ariane.
- Anon 9:13
Absolutely stunning. Happy birthday, princess.
ReplyDeleteThese photos don't do her justice. She is naturally much prettier than she appears here.
ReplyDeleteI agree, her sister Alexia had similar photos taken at 18 that did not do her justice either.
DeleteAgree !!
DeleteThey probably wanted to recreate Vermeer but not very succsesfully. But of course - the girl is very pretty and has nothing to do with that.
ReplyDeleteRecreate Vermeer, true!
DeletePrincess Ariane is a pretty girl and she has always been one of my royal favorites. However, I find these pictures to mark her 18th birthday a bit odd. For starters, the lighting in them is too dark. Additionally, the Farm Rio green dress is more appropriate for an older person. While I like the red dress, wearing it shorter would be more appropriate for someone turning 18.
ReplyDeleteI am remember them as babies, all three of them, now you all know how old I am, ha ha ha !!!!!!!
DeleteI agree with you about her dresses. I don't know if the Farm Rio dress is hers but I a dress i see on an older woman. I much prefer the Self Portrait dress for an 18 year old young lady.
DeleteThose photos don't do her justice.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe she is 18. She was always the little sister to princesses Amalia and Alexia. I agree with Lili and others who have criticised the lighting in these photos. However, she is a beautiful girl no matter how she is photographed. Love the red dress, but while the green one is lovely, I also think it’s a bit old for her. Happy birthday, Princess Ariane
ReplyDeleteAll three daughters of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima had these very dark setting for their respective 18th birthday portraits taken. It seems some sort of a continuous theme here. So far, they have been consistent with it. It also mimics the Flemish Master Painters of old, who very often used dark backgrounds in their art pieces. I like the dresses worn by Princess Ariane, the red one looks particularly fetching on her. I think both outfits were chosen by the birthday girl herself, the Dutch Royal Family is known for being very broad-minded and mostly leaving the girls to make their own choices. That also will include some failing attempts from time to time (not that Ariane failed in her picks right here!). It's a learning curve, also in royal circles. Nothing wrong with that.
ReplyDeleteAs a Dutch royalist I am very proud of these Dutch Lovely young royals
ReplyDeleteAs a Belgian royalist I fully agree that the three A's are lovely princesses. Princess Ariane is very beautiful in that red dress. The dress has the right length. She is tall and a shorter dress would not have been so beautiful.
DeleteI always liked Ariane most of them. Such a lovely young lady.
ReplyDeleteThese dark and moody photos really do not do her justice. After all she's turning 18 not 50! The photographer should be celebrating her youth, her vitality and a sense of fun. (V.M.)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful princess. I recall her sister Alexia’s 18th portraits were like this, dark and they seemed to portray her older looking as well.
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ReplyDeleteMein Gott... welch ein hässlicher Kommentar.
DeleteHappy Birthday to beautiful Princess Ariane! She is gorgeous in both sets of these pictures. Her dresses are perfect for her--the styles and colors really suit her. I hope we get to see her wearing these pretty dresses soon! Hopefully she can participate in the King's Day Festivities this year too.
ReplyDeleteJanet
In a blink of an eye she's turning 18. Such a lovely young woman. Ariane is stunning.
ReplyDeleteMARIE
Could be pictures of anybody.
ReplyDeleteDidn’t catch her personality.
Not good, why so strange pictures of this beautiful Princess!
ReplyDeleteI think the photos are splendid. They may well be destined for a corridor or so in the palace and to match a certain style - let’s not judge harshly what we have minimal information about, ladies!, especially when in comes to young people who may stumble across this site. She looks wonderful and I love her dress choices, especially the red. Which I covet! - Mary
ReplyDeleteYou said it well. Not only do we not have all the information behind choosing this style of portraiture, this is another example of the commenters here not accepting anything that is not their idea of normal or correct. The lack of tolerance for new or different things is disappointing. All three daughters have had their 18th birthday portraits in this same style. Hanging together, they must make a stunning presentation.
DeleteI agree with Anon. 14:40
DeleteBeautiful Adriane, a putty these pictures make you look like a cartoon figure and years older.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has forgotten the dark pictures of King Felipe and Queen Letizia that were made last year. They were dark too not taken before a black wall but a dark grey one. King Felipe's face was partly in the shadow too. The only spot of color was a red stola if I remember correctly, worn by Queen Letizia in a long black evening dress.
ReplyDeleteA very happy 18th birthday to a lovely young lady. I love the red lace dress, wearing it she looks stunning. The green dress is a bit tamer. Hope she had a grand day.
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I rather like these portraits, and the style used. Clear there is some sort of theme we aren't privy too. And gosh, if the princesses didn't like them they'd probably be allowed to object to their release. I least I hope that would be the case.
ReplyDeleteCinci
Happy belated birthday to Princess Ariane!!
ReplyDeleteI must confess I'm a bit surprised.
I guess these portraits are meant to hang in some gallery at Huis ten Bosch or at another Royal residence.
They are likely to channel a tradition in portraying Dutch Royal members.
I like Ariane's red dress most, it really suits her.
Photos were fixed. Standing in the red dress she's not that thin. Wish she would keep her hair blond She loks like her beautiful mother
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