\ka Willem Alexander was born in Utrecht as the oldest child of Princess Beatrix and diplomat Claus van Amsberg He became Prince of Orange as heir apparent upon his mothers accession as Queen on 30 April 1980 and succeeded her following her abdication on 30 April 2013 He went to public primary and secondary schools served in the Royal Netherlands Navy and studied history at Leiden University He married Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti in 2002 and they have three daughters Catharina Amalia Princess of Orange born 2003 Princess Alexia born 2005 and Princess Ariane born 2007 \sk