Willem- Alexander : Roi des Pays-Bas et pilote de ligne !
·3 min
The episode opens by disclosing King Willem-Alexander's double life as a line pilot for KLM, where he has worked incognito for about 30 years, often swapping his crown for an aviator cap on commercial flights. He is the son of Queen Beatrix and Klaus von Hunsberg, succeeding his mother in 2013 after her abdication, making him the first male sovereign in a Dutch monarchy historically dominated by women. Willem-Alexander is portrayed as popular, close to the people, and modern in his approach. His wife, Maxima, is introduced through the story of their meeting in Seville, where she unknowingly tried to photograph him, leading to initial anger but eventual romance and a fairy-tale marriage three years later. They have three daughters: Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane. Princess Amalia, the eldest heir, is described as very dedicated to her future role, unlike her more relaxed father, and her youth was marked by mafia threats that forced her to live secretly in Spain for two years, with ongoing strict police protection. The episode notes scandals that have affected the monarchy's popularity, specifically the family's vacation in Greece right before the pandemic lockdown, which caused public backlash and dropped support from 80% to 55% in 2021. Since then, the king and queen have worked to restore the monarchy's image, with polls showing recovery to over 62% support last year. Outside his royal duties, Willem-Alexander enjoys personal hobbies such as skiing, horseback riding, and running, emphasizing his comfort both on land and in the air. The episode concludes by summarizing his multifaceted life as a king and pilot.
