Love seems to be in the air once again among European royals, capturing public interest in the romantic lives of young heirs. No sooner had the talks subsided about a potential romance between Greek prince Konstantinos Alexios and a Hollywood actress, than another royal became the center of attention. This time, all eyes are on the Netherlands and the middle daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.
Twenty-year-old Princess Alexia, like her sisters Amalia and Ariane, has so far carefully guarded her private life from public view. No official romances, no public statements. This made the recent events even more sensational. Dutch media erupted with news: the princess was spotted on the terrace of a café in The Hague. She wasn’t alone, but in the company of a friend and a rather striking young man whose face is familiar to the whole country.
Her companion turned out to be none other than Antoon—one of the brightest stars on the contemporary Dutch music scene. This talented artist, who blends rap, pop, and electronic music, quickly shot to fame in 2020. His track “Hyperventilatie” went viral on TikTok, earning him widespread popularity.
According to Dutch magazine Privé, journalists found out that the 24-year-old performer first met with the princess and her friend, and then left together with Alexia in his premium-class car. Although paparazzi managed to capture several photos of the moment, they will not be published. In the Netherlands, a strict code prohibits the media from invading the private lives of royal family members.
Nevertheless, the editor-in-chief of the publication, who was the first to report on the possible romance, says the young people “know each other very well and see each other quite often.” In his opinion, there is definitely “something beautiful beginning” between them. But if this new royal love story between the princess and a commoner proves true, will it withstand the test of distance? Currently, Alexia is studying civil engineering at a university in London, although she regularly returns home to attend official events, such as the recent Prince’s Day celebration.
The full name of the young man who might soon be dining with royalty at Huis ten Bosch Palace is Valentijn Antoon Verkerk. Born in 2002 in the city of Hoorn, he showed an early interest in music. After mastering piano and drums, he became the youngest student at the prestigious Herman Brood Academy as a teenager—a school whose alumni include world-famous DJ Martin Garrix. With the unwavering support of his parents, who drove him across the country at the start of his DJ career, Antoon initially focused on electronic music. Gradually, he enriched it with other influences, particularly hip-hop as well as disco and ’80s music, which he inherited from his family. His efforts have more than paid off: today, he is one of the country’s most promising artists, with millions of streams on digital platforms and concert tickets that sell out in an instant. Who knows, perhaps he will soon add a royal romance to his list of achievements?
