So sweet: Princess Beatrix welcomes new pets to Drakensteyn Castle

The princess is clearly having a great time in the adorable video.

Incredibly sweet images from Drakensteyn Castle today: in a sunny video from the Utrecht estate you can see how Princess Beatrix, together with some volunteers, is committed to releasing four hedgehogs into nature.

Spacious accommodation

Although staying at the palace is not just for everyone, the Royal House today shares a touching video of four new residents of the estate around Drakensteyn Castle. The hedgehogs Sparky, Boaz, Marcel, and Irene have been welcomed to their new home by none other than Princess Beatrix.

In the video, which they shared via social media, you can see how the queen enthusiastically browses through the leaves with some volunteers from the Hedgehog Shelter in Central Netherlands.

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New home

The video states that these four spiky creatures were taken care of ‘very weak’ during the winter. “Now they are stronger and can go back into nature,” it is further explained.

In the images you can also hear how Beatrix talks to the volunteers present, Vera Schellekens and Patricia Berk. “Can he immediately get back into the wild and save himself?” the curious highness asks the experts. You can also see how Bea is having a nice chat with the four hedgehogs. “Look, let’s say hello!”, she says as she shows one of the hedgehogs to the camera.

Royal hedgehogs

This is not the first time that our Oranges have welcomed a number of hedgehogs as new residents of their estate. Last fall, the royals also shared a snapshot of Queen Máxima with a hedgehog.

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“Queen Máxima has adopted three hedgehogs and released them in the garden of Huis ten Bosch Palace. The garden and the forest area offer plenty of food and space for the hedgehogs due to the many different plants and shrubs,” the sweet photo said.

It is clear that our royal family is very fond of the little creatures. Who would act as the next patroness of the thorny quadrupeds? We see plenty of possibilities!

Source: Royal House, Glamial archive | Image: NL Image