From 1973 to 2020: memorable moments.
For years, the Oranges’ ski holiday was accompanied by a fun photo session, but this has not happened since 2020. Luckily, we still have plenty of glamorous piste snaps to look back on. We list the best ones!
Tradition
It was a tradition for so long: since the 1960s, the Oranjes have gone to Lech every year in February for a winter sports holiday. Year in, year out, the same place, the same hotel and the same slopes. Apparently it was not boring, because the Dutch royals always looked happy during the annual photo opportunity in the ski area.
Completely
This year, however, a photo opportunity in Lech is once again not an option. The royal family has previously indicated that they only want to be photographed with the entire family. And with three daughters who are everywhere and nowhere in the world, that of course becomes difficult.
Fortunately, we still have the old snapshots, so that means: a throwback to the best photo moments of the Oranjes in wintery Lech!
1973
![](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2023/02/871830-BrunoPress-768x769.jpg)
Gotta love Willem-Alexander in this far too yellow ski suit, who at the age of 5 whizzes down the slopes like a real professional.
2005
![](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2023/02/1668746-BrunoPress-768x392.jpg)
A big leap in time to little Amaal, who has been in the world for less than two years, together with mom Máxima and grandma Beatrix – who are clearly more looking forward to the press moment than the little princess herself.
2006
![](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2023/02/1665189-BrunoPress-768x1044.jpg)
Crown Princess Amalia was clearly fed up with all the shouting and photographing press… Not surprising of course. Enjoy being yourself, Amaal!
![](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2023/02/22289673-BrunoPress-768x512.jpg)
Here the little princess has managed to find her sweetest smile, thanks to dad Wim-Lex. Cute!
2009
![](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2023/02/310569-BrunoPress-768x520.jpg)
Beautiful red is not ugly, the royal family must have thought – apart from Ariane, who stands out as fashion-conscious as ever in blue.
2014
![](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2023/02/437611-BrunoPress-768x695.jpg)
Typical laugh-out-loud moment between Amalia, Alexia and niece Eloise.
2015
![](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2023/02/437993-BrunoPress-768x635.jpg)
Three generations of Orange on the slopes.
2016
![](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2022/03/BP_30404082-768x512.jpg)
The three Dutch princesses playing in the snow, Crown Princess Amalia as always the ‘connecting factor’.
2017
![](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2023/02/5984897-BrunoPress-768x512.jpg)
And in 2017 no exception was made for the Orange Race Monsters. Look at the five sliding!
2018
![](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2023/02/5701886-BrunoPress-768x1152.jpg)
Máxima here five years ago – fabulous as always – in a purple ski suit. Well, even if the queen were to put on a garbage bag…
2019
![Winter atmosphere: Royals in the snow](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2021/12/lech_2019_anp_04-768x511.jpg)
A loose family photo including grandma Beatrix, Prince Constantijn, Princess Laurentien and kids. Oh, and Wim-Lex shows his funny side again. Looks cozy!
2020
![](https://content-cdn-wp.beaumonde.nl/2023/02/649458-BrunoPress-768x1152.jpg)
The last year that the Oranje could go on winter sports, before we were confined to our homes for two years due to the corona crisis. A hilarious moment here that we will never forget: Princess Alexia who drops her ski pole in the drag lift, and her reaction (f*ck, f*ck!) turns out to be nothing more than an ordinary teenager. Fortunately, niece Leonore, who follows her, comes to her rescue by picking up the stick and taking it upstairs.
However, the fact that we are no longer allowed to receive pleasant winter sports snaps from the Oranjes does not necessarily mean that they will no longer lower their standards. The public agendas of the royal family are still almost completely empty for this week and part of next week. It could therefore be that some Dutch nationals are currently on the slopes after all!
Source: Blauw Bloed, Glamial archive | Image: NL Image / BrunoPress