His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, Her Majesty Queen Máxima and Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands have announced that Her Royal Highness Princess Christina died earlier this morning at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague at the age of 72. Princess Christina is King Willem-Alexander’s aunt and Princess Beatrix’s sister. She had been suffering from bone cancer for several years.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear sister and aunt. Christina had a striking personality and a warm heart. With her passion for music and her talent, she managed to touch a lot of people. We will cherish our many beautiful memories.” – WA, Máxima and Beatrix

Princess Christina was born on 18 February 1947 as the daughter of the future Queen Juliana, who reigned from 1948 until her abdication in 1980, and Prince Bernhard. Her elder sister Beatrix was Queen of the Netherlands from 1980 until her abdication in 2013. She was born nearly blind because her mother had contracted rubella while pregnant with her. Princess Christina was one of four sisters. She married Jorge Guillermo in 1975, and they went on to have three children together: Bernardo, Nicolás en Juliana. She renounced her rights to the succession upon marriage and converted to Catholicism in 1992. They were divorced in 1996.

Princess Christina was a singer and also focussed on dance and sound therapy.

Princess Christina’s body will be transferred to the Cupola of Fagel on the grounds of Noordeinde Palace where the family can say their farewells. A cremation will also take place in private. The family has opened a condolence register.