Man arrested over alleged plot to kill princesses as police find 'bloodbath' note and axe with Nazi engraving

Svar Nanan-Sen
Fri, 01 May 2026 15:23:32 +0000

A man suspected of holding far-right extremist views is currently being held by Dutch authorities over an alleged plot to kill two members of the Netherlands' Royal Family.

The 33-year-old suspect was detained in The Hague during February, according to prosecutors.

Upon his arrest, police reportedly discovered two axes bearing engravings, including the Nazi phrase "Sieg Heil".

Investigators also found a handwritten note containing the names of both princesses alongside the word "bloodbath".

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Prosecutors believe the targets of the alleged plot were Princess Catharina-Amalia, aged 22, who stands to inherit the Dutch throne, and her younger sister Princess Alexia, 20.

Princess Catharina-Amalia, also referred to as the Princess of Orange, is first in line to succeed her father, King Willem-Alexander, whilst Princess Alexia occupies second position in the order of succession.

The accused is scheduled to appear before judges for a preliminary hearing on Monday, with a full trial to follow at a later date in The Hague.

Dutch authorities have yet to disclose any potential motive behind the alleged plot.

The royal household includes a third daughter, 19-year-old Princess Ariane.

Despite these security concerns, the family marked King's Day last Monday with public festivities, joining street celebrations and ice skating with members of the public.

The annual holiday commemorates the monarch's birthday, with King Willem-Alexander having turned 59.

This is not the first occasion on which the Crown Princess has confronted serious safety concerns.

Back in 2020, she was compelled to go into hiding following a series of messages from a man who threatened her with rape and violence.

Two years on, security worries forced her to abandon her student flat in Amsterdam and relocate to the heavily protected royal residence in The Hague.

"She can't live in Amsterdam and she can't really go outside [the palace]. It has enormous consequences on her life," Queen Máxima remarked at the time.

The Spanish-speaking princess subsequently spent a year living in Madrid after intelligence suggested she faced potential kidnapping by one of Europe's most notorious drug trafficking organisations.

She returned to the Netherlands in 2024 following the implementation of additional security measures.

"I miss normal life, the life of a student. Walking the streets, going to a store," the princess reflected upon her homecoming