Nicholas of Amsterdam

Claus van Amsberg (in Spanish: Nicolás Jorge Guillermo Otón Federico Gerardo de Amsberg) (Dötzingen, Hitzacker, Germany, September 6, 1926 - Amsterdam, Netherlands, October 6, 2002) was Prince Consort of the Netherlands when he was married to Queen Beatrix.

Biography

He was the only son of Nicholas Felix of Amsberg and Baroness Augusta Julia Adelaida Marion Maria dem Bussche-Haddenhausen. He had six sisters. He was born into the family's estate Haus Dötzingen near Hitzacker, Germany. He was a German diplomat who had been a member of the Hitler Youth and served in his home country's army (Wehrmacht) during World War II. Nicholas was a member of the Council of State of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The prince consort suffered from several health problems during his lifetime, including depression, cancer and Parkinson's.

Marriage and offspring

Dating

Claus and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands met at the pre-wedding party of Princess Tatiana of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (1940) and Prince-Count Maurice of Hesse and Savoy (1926-2013), in Giessen (Germany) during the summer of 1964.

Commitment

On June 28, 1965, his engagement to Princess Beatrice of the Netherlands was announced. Following Parliament's approval of the marriage, Klaus became a Dutch citizen.

Wedding

They were married on March 10, 1966 in two ceremonies: a civil one, at the Amsterdam City Hall and another religious one at the Westerkerk church.

Children

• Guillermo Alejandro (27 April 1967) King of the Netherlands since 30 April 2013
• Juan Friso (25 September 1968-12 August 2013)
• Constantine Cristóbal (11 October 1969)

Grandchildren

• Princess Catherine Amalia of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange.
• Princess Alexia of the Netherlands.
• Princess Ariadna of the Netherlands.
• The Countess Eloísa of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Ambserg (master of Amsberg).
• Count Nicholas Casimiro of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg (master of Amsberg).
• Countess Leonor of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg (Ms.
• The Countess Luana of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg (master of Amsberg).
• The Countess Zaria of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg (master of Amsberg)

Illness and death

In 1982, Claus from Amsberg was admitted to the Radboud Nijmegen hospital for depression. The last years of his life had moments of illness, in 1998 he underwent successful surgery for prostate cancer, which he suffered from, although in 2000, he had problems with the urinary tract. In 2002, the same year as Guillermo Alejandro's wedding to Máxima, he had several respiratory infections, which kept him in the hospital for several weeks. On August 9, 2002, he suffered an acute myocardial infarction, and on October 6, 2002, he died from complications of the effects of respiratory infections and Parkinson's disease. A state funeral was held in his honor, and not a funeral with military honors, of immediately lower rank. This funeral was very well attended, notably by the Dutch people who at first were reluctant because of his German origin when he married Beatrice of the Netherlands and in the end were very compassionate and tender towards the Prince Consort during his last years with his illness and his death. He is buried in the royal crypt of the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft.

Titles and treatments

• Nicolas de Amsberg (1926–1965).
• Jonkheer Nicolas de Amsberg (1965-1966).
• His Royal Highness Prince Nicholas of the Netherlands, Jonkheer of Amsberg (1966-2002).

Academic distinctions

• Honorary Doctor of the International Institute of Social Studies (The Hague, 1988).

Honorary distinctions

Dutch honors

• Big Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion.
• Great Knight of the Order of the Golden Lion of Nassau.
• Big Knight of the Order of the House of Orange.
• Medal of the Coronation of Queen Beatriz (30/04/1980).
• Medalla Conmemorativa del Enlace Matrimonial entre Guillermo y Máxima de los Netherlands (02/02/2002).

Foreign honorary distinctions

• Knight of the Order of the Elephant (Reino de Denmark, 29/10/1975).
• Grand Star of Honour of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Austria (Republic of Austria, 1994).
• Knight Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (01/03/1983).
• Grand Cross Knight with Order Cord to Merit of the Italian Republic (Italian Republic, 27/03/1985).
• Big Cross Knight of the Order of Charles III (Reino de España, 07/10/1985).
• Big Cross Knight of the Order of Christ (Portuguese Republic, 14/05/1991).
• Grand Cross of Honour of the Royal Victorian Order (United Kingdom, 18/11/1982).
• Big Knight of the Order of the Hawk (Island, 1994).
• Big Knight of the Order of Good Hope (Republic of South Africa, 1999).
• Big Knight of the Order of Saint Olaf (Norway King, 1986).
• Great Knight of the Supreme Order of Chrysanthemum (State of Japan).

Ancestors

Succession