Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister on Tuesday announced that Crown princess Catharina-Amalia can marry any person of whatever gender she chooses. Moreover, the possibility of gay marriage will not cause her to forfeit her right to the royal throne.
Gay marriage does not mean forfeiting the throne
Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia, the 17-year-old is the next heir to the Kind, Willem-Alexander. The questions came up when Prime Minister Rutte was answering questions from the parliament. The questions were based on the release of a new book “Amalia, Duty Calls”. The book debates the old laws and excludes the possibility of a same-sex couple and gay marriage possibility. After all, gay marriage is legal in the Netherlands for over 20 years.
Crown princess’ gay marriage: Why did this come up?
Princess Amalia, as the King’s eldest child, is always under scrutiny. “Therefore the cabinet does not see that an heir to the throne or the king should abdicate if he or she would like to marry a partner of the same sex,” explained PM Rutte. The new book is also raising the issue of what can happen if the crown princess chooses to marry a partner of the same sex. However, the book does not speculate over Princess Amalia’s personal life. Additionally, it does not indicate any possibility of a wedding. She is expected to enter the university next year.
“The government believes that the heir can also marry a person of the same sex,” wrote Rutte as a response to the Parliament.” The cabinet, therefore, does not see that an heir to the throne or the King should abdicate if he/she would like to marry a partner of the same sex,” he added. However, Royal marriages require the approval of the parliament. And, on some occasions, members of the royal family have given up their place in the line of succession. This was either to marry without permission since they seemed unlikely to get.
