Why young Princess Ariane was missing from special Dutch royal balcony moment

As the Dutch royal family celebrated Prince's Day there was one person noticeably absent.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima made an appearance on the palace balcony, joined by daughter and future queen Princess Catharina-Amalia, 20, as well as second daughter Princess Alexia, 19.

But the couple's youngest daughter Princess Ariane was not seen beside her two older sisters.

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This is likely because the 17-year-old is completing her secondary schooling in Italy.

The Netherlands' royal household announced the teen's move last year, after four years studying at Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet in The Hague.

"Her Royal Highness Princess Ariane of the Netherlands will continue her secondary school studies at the UWC Adriatic in Italy, where she will pursue her International Baccalaureate," they said at the time.

She follows in the footsteps of Princess Alexia, who studied at UWC Adriatic's Wales campus and will soon return to continue her tertiary education at University College London.

Despite the name, Prince's Day doesn't celebrate the monarch or the royal's birthday.

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It actually signifies His Majesty's speech in parliament - known as the Throne Speech - on budget day, which is held annually on the third Tuesday in September.

But it was a truly family affair King Willem-Alexander's brother, Prince Constantijn, and his wife, Princess Laurentien, also joining in the formal festivities.

The group, dressed in sashes and formal attire, took glass carriages through The Hague in the royal parade to start the day, before arriving at parliament building Koninklijke Schouwburg (or Royal Theatre).

After the King gave his address from the throne, the royals made the procession back to Noordeinde Palace in carriages for the balcony moment.

King Willem-Alexander and his brother both wore tailcoats with grey waistcoats but the monarch added insignia of Knight of the Military Order of William, while Prince Constantijn wore a pin of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.

Queen Maxima stunned in an ice blue A-line dress with asymmetrical drapery and a large bow on the shoulder, paired with a matching halo-style headpiece and an order ribbon with the Star of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.

Princess Catharina-Amalia, who is also known as the Princess of Orange, also wore the same ribbon and decorations over her stunning emerald green cutout crepe cape dress by British designer Safiyaa, who is a favourite of the Princess of Wales.

While Princess Alexia literally shopped in her mother's wardrobe, wearing a red silk organza pleated robe Queen Maxima had previously worn in 2002, along with the ribbon, Star of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.

Princess Laurentien opted for triacetate crepe dress in raspberry pink with a matching handmade fascinator.

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