Princess Ariane celebrates her graduation in Italy with her parents!

Princess Ariane celebrates her graduation in Italy with her parents!

On May 29, 2025, Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands traveled to Italy to attend a significant family event. Her youngest daughter, Princess Ariane, successfully completed her school career by taking the International Baccalaureate exams. The graduation ceremony took place at the United World College Adriatic, a renowned educational institution in the coastal village of Duino, about 20 kilometers north of Trieste.

Princess Ariane, who tends to hold back in public and lets her sisters go first, is only 18 years old. At the ceremony, she wore a striking magenta shirt and flowing skirt, while Queen Máxima chose an elegant mustard yellow dress with white flowers and King Willem-Alexander chose an earth-colored suit. The results of Ariane’s exams are expected in early July.

Changing schools and new challenges

The Princess previously attended Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet in The Hague and will now continue her future studies at UWC Adriatic. This is the third entry into secondary education for the royal couple's daughter and she is the last of the three sisters to attend secondary school. Ariane could study abroad after she graduates, which is still unconfirmed. Her older sister, Princess Catharina-Amalia, is already studying at the university in Amsterdam, while Princess Alexia took a break after completing the International Baccalaureate.

The visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima on this momentous occasion underlines the importance of education in the royal family. The King himself has a well-established connection to the UWC movement, being a former student of UWC Atlantic College in Wales. The UWC network includes 18 schools worldwide that focus on the final two years of secondary education and offer the International Baccalaureate.

Enrolling at UWC Adriatic involves significant costs, amounting to around 46,000 euros for two years. The high demand and the selection process ensure that only the best students are accepted, which is why the school is considered a cultural meeting place and an important provider of education. Queen Máxima had previously visited Italy for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, demonstrating the royal family's deep ties to this country.

The developments surrounding the royal family and the educational paths of the princesses show how important education and personal development are for the next generations of royals. Aryane’s next steps remain exciting to see as she prepares for a new phase in her life.

You can find out more about the royal family's journey and Princess Ariane's academic progress at op-online.de as well as at histoiresroyales.fr.