The Princess of Orange has presented Madrid with a garden of tulips in gratitude for being allowed to live there for a year in seclusion.
Princess Amalia, who has been living in Madrid after threats to her safety in the Netherlands, donated flowers for the Plaza de Oriente.
The princess announced her donation on Instagram, addressing Madrid:
“Due to special circumstances, I was able to live in your beautiful Madrid for a year. The warmth with which I was received ensured that it could also become my home for a while. For that, I would like to thank Madrid, its residents, and everyone who made it possible. As a token of that, I am bringing a piece of Dutch floral splendour to your city on the beautiful Plaza de Oriente. In the hope that, especially in the spring, it will add some extra colour to life in Madrid, just as the city has given me.”
The first Dutch tulips were planted by Dutch Ambassador to Spain Roel Nieuwenkamp and Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida.
The tulips, a symbol of Dutch heritage, are expected to bloom in the spring of 2025.
Princess of Orange lived in Spain for about a year under the care of King Felipe and Queen Letizia because of threats against her. She was able to return and study in the Netherlands.
