Home / Lifestyle / Royal Split: Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette Divorce After 25 Years
Royal Split: Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette Divorce After 25 Years
23 Jan
Summary
- Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette confirmed their divorce after 25 years of marriage.
- They share three children: Isabella, Samuel, and Benjamin van Vollenhoven.
- Annette will no longer hold the title of princess following the divorce.
Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette of the Netherlands have announced their divorce after 25 years of marriage. In a joint statement released on January 23, 2026, the couple confirmed their decision was made by mutual agreement and with respect.
They plan to continue co-parenting their three children, Isabella, Samuel, and Benjamin van Vollenhoven, and have requested privacy. Following the divorce, Princess Annette will no longer hold her title, while the children's use of the van Vollenhoven surname remains unaffected.
The couple met in the 1990s at the University of Groningen and married on July 8, 2000, with a civil ceremony followed by a church blessing. Their children were born in 2002, 2004, and 2008.
Prince Bernhard is involved in real estate development and founded organizations focused on lymphoma research and yacht building. Princess Annette serves on the advisory council for the Papageno Foundation and has worked with the Belevenis Foundation.
