Juliana of the Netherlands Biography

Juliana was born on April 30, 1909, at Noordeinde Palace, The Hague. She was the only daughter of the reigning Dutch monarch, Queen Wilhelmina, and her husband, Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Juliana attained the age of eighteen on April 30, 1927, officially coming of age. She also became entitled to assume the royal prerogative, if required. Two days later, her mother installed her as the Council of State.

The young princess enrolled at the University of Leiden, where she attended lectures in international law, sociology, jurisprudence, economics, and history of religion. She also studied about the cultures of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles. She graduated in 1930, with a bachelor’s degree in international law.

In the early 1930s, Juliana’s mother Wilhelmina began searching for a suitable husband for her daughter. Eventually, at the 1936 Winter Olympics in Bavaria, she met Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld, from Germany. Since his rank and religion were found to be suitable, their engagement was arranged by Wilhelmina. Juliana found herself falling deeply in love with the prince.

The wedding took place in The Hague on January 7, 1937. Prince Bernhard eventually changed the spelling of his name from German to Dutch, and also acquired Dutch citizenship. The couple’s first child was born on January 31, 1938; she was named Princess Beatrix. They had three more children.

As Wilhelmina’s health became worse, it became difficult for her to perform her royal duties. Therefore, Juliana eventually took over as a regent in late 1947. Though Juliana advised her mother to stay on the throne and complete her diamond jubilee in 1950, Wilhelmina was forced to relinquish her duties to Juliana once and for all on May 4, 1948.

Juliana was officially sworn-in and inaugurated as the queen on September 6, 1948. As the queen, she was greatly interested in the problems of developing countries, which also led to the issue of refugees seeking asylum.

Queen Juliana was eventually succeeded by her daughter on April 30, 1980, her 71st birthday. However, she remained active in various charitable causes.

On March 20, 2004, she passed away due to pneumonia at the age of 94. She was interred beside her mother in the royal vaults under the Nieuwe Kerkin (Delft). Her husband, Prince Bernhard, also passed away after a few months.