Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau, Mrs. Van Amsberg

Her Royal Highness Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau, (born August 11 1968), is the wife of Prince Johan-Friso of Orange-Nassau, second son of Queen Beatrix and the late Prince Claus of the Netherlands.

Related Topics:
August 11 - 1968 - Prince Johan-Friso of Orange-Nassau - Queen Beatrix - Prince Claus

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She was born Mabel Martine to Henk Los and Flos Kooman. Her father died when she was 9; when her mother married Peter Wisse Smit in 1984, Mabel took her step-father's surname. Princess Mabel has two younger sisters, Nicoline and Eveline. She grew up in het Gooi in central Netherlands. She studied Economics and Political Science at the University of Amsterdam, graduating in 1993.

Related Topics:
1984 - Netherlands - University of Amsterdam

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Wisse Smit founded the "European Action Council for Peace in the Balkans" in 1994, and co-founded the Dutch branch of War Child in 1995. In 1997, she was appointed director of EU affairs of the "Open Society Institute" in Brussels, one of the foundations of American philanthropist George Soros. The World Economic Forum named her one of 100 "Global Leaders of Tomorrow".

Related Topics:
European Action Council for Peace in the Balkans - 1994 - War Child - 1995 - 1997 - Open Society Institute - Philanthropist - George Soros - World Economic Forum

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Wisse Smit and Prince Johan-Friso announced their engagement on June 30, 2003. Later that year, it turned out that she had given Queen Beatrix and prime-minister Jan Peter Balkenende incomplete and false information about the duration and extent of her relationship with drug kingpin Klaas Bruinsma.

Related Topics:
June 30 - 2003 - Queen Beatrix - Jan Peter Balkenende - Klaas Bruinsma

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Because of this, the government decided not to seek permission for the marriage from parliament.

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Nevertheless, Prince Johan-Friso married Mabel Wisse Smit in Delft on April 24 2004 and consequently gave up any claim to the throne.

Related Topics:
Delft - April 24 - 2004

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After their marriage, they have made clear that Wisse Smit has not had a sexual relationship with Klaas Bruinsma. However, they disclosed that the relationship was more intimate than they had originally admitted.

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Since her marriage, Princess Mabel has held the courtesy titles of Princess of Orange-Nassau, Mrs Van Amsberg. Hence, Princess Mabel is not a princess in her own right, but through her marriage, as custom allows a wife to use her husband?s titles. All children of the marriage will receive the titles Count or Countess of Orange-Nassau and Jonkheer or Jonkvrouw van Amsberg.

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The couple have a daughter, Emma Luana Ninette Sophie, born in London on March 26 2005. She is called Luana, a Teutonic name meaning 'graceful warrior' (also 'gracious warrior' or 'female warrior'). She holds the title Luana, Countess of Orange-Nassau.

Related Topics:
Emma Luana Ninette Sophie - London - March 26 - 2005 - Orange-Nassau

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Prince Friso and Princess Mabel have lived in London since their marriage.

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