In what could be seen as a bid to fill the gap left by the teenager, the Dutch royals decided to welcome a new member to the family – a little dog named Mambo. They introduced the puppy to their social media followers on World Animal Day, October 4, saying, "Meet Mambo, the newest member of the Royal Family!", alongside a cute photo of the tiny animal wearing a pink collar.
The arrival of the pet comes just after Princess Alexia's move to the UK in August.
Alexia is studying for her International Baccalaureate at the UWC Atlantic College in Llantwit Major, Wales. She will spend the next two years there, joined by the heir to the Spanish throne Princess Leonor, 15, who is the eldest daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia.
The college's campus facilities, with an impressive library, woodland, two swimming pools, and historic buildings that host the classrooms where about 350 international students undertake their lessons, is definitely fit for royal purpose.
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That the Dutch Royal Family loves animals is no news. King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, Princess Alexia and her sisters Catharina-Amalia, 17, and Princess Ariane, 14, are already the proud owners of three Labradors called Luna, Skipper and Nala.
On last year's World Animal Day, they shared a sweet photo of the three pooches playing with a ball on their royal estate, Landgoed De Horsten, in Wassenaar.
Dogs have long played a part in the lives of European royal families. In Spain, King Felipe VI has had several pets – schnauzer dog Pushkin, Pinqui, Balú... One of the most remembered pets at the Palace is Arky, a silent witness to important events in the history of the Spanish transition.
At home, the Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is renowned for her love of corgis, while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed a new puppy last year. Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall owns two rescue pups called Beth and Bluebell.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan share their Montecito home with Guy, a labrador they adopted in August 2018, and Pula, whose name has a special meaning to the couple, as it's a nod to their first trip together.
Pula is the currency of Botswana, the country where their love story took strength. When the Sussexes started dating, they spent five nights camping there. Besides, Harry admitted that when he sought "refuge" after the death of his mother, Princess Diana, he found it there.
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The Netherlands' royal household last week confirmed that a new book, titled Amalia, will be released to mark Princess Catharina-Amalia's 18th birthday on December 7. Launching in mid-November, it will be based on the Princess's encounters with writer, comedian and singer Claudia de Breij, who has been in charge of the writing.
It will also include photos from the princess's private archive.
Amalia became heir apparent at the age of nine, following the abdication of her grandmother Queen Beatrix and the accession to the throne of her father.