Marriage and family

The civil marriage was blessed at a service in the Westerkerk conducted by Rev. H.J. Kater, with a sermon by Rev. J.H. Sillevis Smitt. On the same day, Claus von Amsberg received the title of Prince of the Netherlands and the designation Jonkheer van Amsberg.

Permission

On 28 June 1965, Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard announced the engagement in radio and television broadcasts. A royal wedding cannot take place without the permission of parliament. In autumn 1965, the two houses of parliament passed a bill consenting to their marriage. Claus von Amsberg immediately became a Dutch citizen.

Children

The royal couple took up residence in Drakensteyn Castle in Lage Vuursche, where the Princess had lived since 1963. Three sons were born to them: Prince Willem-Alexander in 1967, Prince Friso in 1968 and Prince Constantijn in 1969.

Grandchildren

Queen Beatrix has eight grandchildren. Prince Claus lived to see the birth of their first grandchild, Eloise (daughter of Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien) on 8 June 2002. On 7 December 2003, the Queen's second grandchild was born: Princess Catharina-Amalia, daughter of Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima. On 21 March 2004, her first grandson, Claus-Casimir, was born to Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien. 
Luana, the first child of Prince Friso and Princess Mabel, was born on 26 March 2005. Princess Alexia, the second daughter of Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima, was born on 26 June 2005. 
In 2006 the second daughter of Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien, Leonore, was born on 3 June and on 18 June the second daughter of Prince Friso and Princess Mabel, Zaria. The eight grandchild was born on 10 April 2007, the third daughter of the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima, Princess Ariane.