Princess Amalia of the Netherlands breaks her silence about fleeing to Madrid to escape kidnap threats: 'I was able to have freedom there'

Princess Amalia has spoken about being forced to move to Madrid after being threatened by organised crime groups in the Netherlands.

The heir to the Dutch throne said she was 'very grateful' to everyone who helped protect and keep her safe from kidnapping threats from organised crime gangs.

Amalia was forced to abandon plans to live in student halls over security fears, just weeks after she started at Amsterdam University to study politics, psychology, law and economics in October 2022. 

The 20-year-old said her time in Spain made her life in the Netherlands 'somewhat possible' again and thanked everyone who helped her make the swift move possible.

Amalia spoke for the first time about her ordeal during celebrations for her father's birthday, where she was joined by her parents, Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and her sisters, Princess Ariane, 17, and 18-year-old Princess Alexia.

Princess Amalia said she felt as though she had more freedom in Spain than she would have done in the Netherlands 

Princess Amalia looks in high spirits as she celebrated King's Day on the weekend 

Princess Amalia, Queen Maxims, King Willem-Alexander, Princess Alexia of The Netherlands and Princess Ariane look joyous on King's Day

She spoke to Dutch outlet NOS and said: 'I must honestly say that it was a wonderful time, which also made life here somewhat possible. 

'I'm extremely grateful and I'm happy to be back. I was able to find my freedom a little more there than was possible here.'

She also spoke with students from Emmen about university, adding that it is 'hard to study' and that she has to do a lot of work, but she finds her subjects interesting and is 'happy' to have the opportunity. 

According to Bild, Amalia was asked how it felt to be back in the Netherlands but she had to be careful with her answer. 

The royal said: 'I can't make any statements on the subject of safety. But the Netherlands is my home, so it's nice to be here again.' 

Amalia, the eldest of three sisters, is said to speak fluent Spanish thanks to her mother, Queen Maxima, who is Argentine by birth. 

Her father King Willem-Alexander also spoke about having his eldest daughter back.

He said, according to the German tabloid: 'Of course it's terrible when you see that your own daughter, who was so excited to spread her wings after Corona, wasn't able to spread those wings. Luckily it worked out in Madrid.'

Princess Amalia was joined by her whole family for King's Day as they chatted to the press 

King Willem-Alexander said it was lucky that things worked out for her in Madrid, according to Bild 

Princess Amalia is joined by her two teenage sisters as they pose for photos 

The heir to the throne shares a funny moment with her father, King Willem-Alexander 

The monarch has previously thanked King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain  for 'a touching show of friendship at a difficult time' - after they 'helped arrange' Amalia's year-long stay in their country.

According to Dutch papers Nos News and AD, he said: 'A visit to Spain always feels like an embrace. Not only for us, but also for our eldest daughter.

'Last year, circumstances required her to live in Madrid. From there she was able to continue her studies at the University of Amsterdam. This was made possible by the kind efforts of many of your countrymen and yourself.

'A touching show of friendship at a difficult time. I would like to sincerely thank you and all others who helped arrange this.'

In his remarkably personal speech, the monarch added that the Dutch royal couple have a 'special place in our hearts' for Spain since it is where he met his wife Maxima for the first time, 25 years ago. 

Officials would not confirm details of Amalia's initial departure from her studies in Amsterdam, but the move came weeks after reports that Amalia and Prime Minister Mark Rutte were mentioned in communications by organised crime groups - leading to fears of kidnappings.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at the time: 'I'm very sorry for her and I'm obviously very concerned about it.'

He added that Dutch authorities were doing everything to ensure that the princess is safe.

Princess Amalia is said to have been living in Amsterdam once again since February, and is continuing her studies

Princess Amalia during her first state visit with parents King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and King Felipe, Queen Letizia 

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (pictured right) made a touching speech in honour of King Felipe of Spain (pictured left) for 'helping arrange' his daughter's stay in Madrid 

Her father, King Willem-Alexander, said in the podcast Through the Eyes of the King that the situation had 'had a very hard impact' on his daughter and his family

The Dutch royal family pose with umbrellas as they celebrate King's Day

'She can't live in Amsterdam and she can't really go outside (the palace)... It has enormous consequences on her life. There is no student life for her like others have,' said an emotional Queen Maxima at the time.

Amalia herself told reporters during a royal family tour of the Caribbean early last year that she missed 'the normal life of a student', having hoped she would be able to enjoy the student experience like her peers.

'Sadly the reality was different,' she said.

Her father, King Willem-Alexander, said in the podcast Through the Eyes of the King that the situation had 'had a very hard impact' on his daughter and his family.

'The uncertainty, the lack of freedom, that is not how you want to raise your children and what you want to pass on to your children,' he said.

NOS previously said the threat to Amalia had not completely disappeared, but she was able to return from Madrid to live and study in the Netherlands again due to unspecified 'measures'.

It was not clear what circumstances had changed that allowed for her safe return.

She is said to have been living in Amsterdam once again since February, and is continuing her studies.