A surprise announcement from the Dutch royal family has confirmed the Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette Divorce, marking the end of a 25-year marriage. The news was shared through an official statement published on the royal family’s website, immediately drawing attention across Europe. Once frequently seen together at public events, the couple had appeared united as recently as King’s Day 2025.
In their joint message, Prince Bernhard of Orange-Nassau and Princess Annette said the decision was made by mutual agreement and with respect. They emphasized their intention to continue caring for their three children together and asked for privacy during the transition. “After 25 years of marriage, we have decided to divorce by mutual agreement and with mutual respect,” the statement read.
The rince Bernhard and Princess Annette Divorce has also renewed interest in Bernhard’s place within the Dutch royal family. As the son of Princess Margriet, he is a cousin of King Willem-Alexander, though he is no longer in the line of succession. Changes to the Dutch constitution in 2013 removed more distant relatives from royal status, reshaping the modern monarchy.
Public reaction has been shaped by memories of the couple’s long relationship, which began during their university years. Married in July 2000, their union was blessed in Utrecht’s Cathedral of St. Martin, a moment widely covered by royal watchers. The rince Bernhard and Princess Annette Divorce follows a growing pattern of royal couple splits in 2026, reflecting broader changes within European royal households.
Attention has also turned to their children, Isabella, Samuel, and Benjamin, who do not hold royal titles and use the surname van Vollenhoven. The family has largely remained out of the spotlight in recent years, with Bernhard focusing on his career as an entrepreneur. For now, the rince Bernhard and Princess Annette Divorce stands as one of the most notable pieces of royal family news in 2026.
