Prins Bernhard, Annette Sekreve during Kingsday

Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette on April 26, 2025.Credi : Marcel Koch/BSR Agency/Getty

 

A royal couple has decided to end their marriage.

Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette of Orange-Nassau of the Netherlands announced their divorce after 25 years of marriage.

An official announcement was shared on the Dutch royal family’s website on Friday, Jan. 23. It read, “After 25 years of marriage, we have decided to divorce. We are doing this by mutual agreement and with mutual respect. We will continue to care for our three children together. Despite this, it remains a difficult step. We therefore ask for everyone’s understanding and respect for our privacy.”

The message was signed, “Bernhard van Oranje and Annette Sekrève,” using her maiden name.

Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands and Princess Annette of the Netherlands attend the Kingsday celebration

Princess Annette and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands on April 27, 2022.P van Katwijk/Getty

Prince Bernhard is the son of Princess Margriet, who was the daughter of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, making him the current monarch, King Willem-Alexander’s, cousin.

He was photographed with Annette celebrating the national holiday of King’s Day in April 2025 in Doetinchem. They smiled for a photo, with Bernhard wrapping his arm around Annette.

After meeting in college, Prince Bernhard and Annette wed in July 2000. After a civil ceremony on July 6, their marriage was blessed two days later in the Cathedral of St. Martin in Utrecht.

They went on to welcome three children: Isabella, born in 2002, Samuel, born in 2004, and Benjamin, born in 2008. Their children were not granted royal titles and go by the last name van Vollenhoven.

Prince Annette and Prince Bernhard of Orange-Nass-au, Van Vollenhoven

Princess Annette and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in July 2000.Reuter Raymond/Sygma via Getty

Prince Bernhard is not in the line of succession to the Dutch throne, although he previously was. After the 2013 abdication of Queen Beatrix, the children of Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven, including Bernhard, were removed from the line of succession and ceased to be members of the Royal House, as the Netherlands’ constitution limits the line to three degrees of kinship from the current monarch.

Prince Bernhard is a self-employed entrepreneur, per his bio on the royal family’s website, and he rarely takes part in official duties. However, he does join family events such as King’s Day.