Dutch crown princess could marry woman and be queen
October 12, 2021, 11:32 pm

Dutch crown princess could marry woman and be queen

Netherlands-Amsterdam-Royal palace/Pixabay

The BBC reported, same-sex marriage has been legal in the Netherlands since 2001 but it has always been assumed that it could not apply to the crown as there would have to be an heir to the throne.

Now caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte has made clear any king or queen could also marry a person of the same sex.

The BBC said, their to the Dutch throne, Princess Amalia, turns 18 in December.

Mr Rutte said it was all about "theoretical situations" but the next queen could marry a woman.

He explained in a response to a written question in parliament from his own party: "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."

As King Willem-Alexander's eldest child, Princess Amalia's future has come under scrutiny, with one book over the summer raising the issue of what might happen if she chose to marry a same-sex partner.

According to the BBC, the book did not speculate over the princess's personal life, and there is no indication of any wedding in the pipeline. Amalia is expected to go to university next year and she has declined the royal income she is entitled to while she is a student.

The question prompted two MPs from Mr Rutte's own liberal VVD party to ask whether current restrictions on royal marriage met with the "norms and values of 2021".

Although the cabinet makes it clear that same-sex marriage is possible, what is not known is what would happen to the succession if there were children born from a same-sex royal marriage, for example via adoption or a sperm donor.

"It's frightfully complicated," Mr Rutte explained. The Dutch constitution states that the king or queen can only be succeeded by a "lawful descendant".

The prime minister said that it was purely theoretical at this stage but it would be up to parliament, which has to give approval to a royal marriage. He told Dutch TV: "Let's cross that bridge if we come to it."

Source: BBC

G20 leaders pledge to avert economic crisis in Afghanistan Former UK Health Secretary given United Nations role

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”