The announcement of the divorce between Princess Margarita (50) and Tjalling ten Cate (470) comes this week as a bolt from the blue. For the outside world, at least. Yet divorces in royal circles are not that uncommon anymore.
“After a wonderful time of more than sixteen years together, in which we shared joys and sorrows, each of us will now go our own way”
‘Princess Margarita’s breakup comes like a bolt from the blue’
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“After a wonderful time of more than sixteen years together, in which we have shared joys and sorrows, each of us will now go our separate ways. At the same time, we will always continue to walk a path together as friends and loving parents of our two beautiful daughters.” say Margarita and Tjalling in their statement last Monday.
While some royals may regret their ’till death do us part’ vow – just look at Juan Carlos and Sophia of Spain – others don’t care. Is the cake finished? Then the divorce is filed. The following royals already preceded Margarita.
The ecclesiastical blessing of the marriage between Princess Christina and Jorge Guillermo, 1975.
Image © National Archives
Princess Christina
Princess Christina, the sister of Princess Beatrix, who died in 2019, falls head over heels in love with the Cuban American Jorge Guillermo in 1975. Because the princess does not ask parliament for permission for their marriage, she gave up her rights to the throne for love at the time. With Jorge, Christina has three children, Bernardo, Nicolás and Juliana, and they live a secluded life in New York. In 1996 it is over and out between the two.
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Princess Margarita and her husband announce divorce
Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn on their wedding day.
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Prinses Märtha Louise
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway loses her heart to the controversial writer Ari Behn, who died in 2019. They tied the knot in 2002 and welcomed three daughters together, Maud, Leah and Emma. After Maud was born, the family settled in New York and then returned to Norway via London. Two years after their return to their mother country, the marriage is over and they file for divorce.
Märtha Louise has a thing for men with an edge: she is currently engaged to the controversial shaman Durek Verrett.
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Norwegian princess Märtha Louise postpones marriage to controversial shaman
Prince Joachim and Alexandra on their big day.
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Prince Joachim
After ten years of marriage, it ends for the Danish prince Joachim and Alexandra Manley from Hong Kong. In that decade they sealed their love with the arrival of two princes: Nikolai and Felix. Since the divorce, Alexandra has lived as a countess and the ex-lovers share the care of their two children. As a result, Joachim misses the boys when they are not with him, he says in a personal interview with Danish media.
After the divorce, Joachim finds love happiness again. With Princess Marie, whom he marries in 2008, he has a son (Henrik) and a daughter (Athena).
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Danish queen celebrates Christmas without children and grandchildren after title riot
Here Stéphanie of Monaco and Daniel were still laughing.
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Princess Stephanie
In the royal circles it is desirable that you marry someone of standing. The Monegasque royals do not like the fact that Stéphanie of Monaco falls for her bodyguard Daniel Ducruet. Papa Rainier’s opinion does not stop Stéphanie in love. With Daniel she has son Louis and daughter Pauline. They tied the knot in 1995, but that boat soon faltered when Daniel was captured rolling around with nude dancer Fili Houtteman. That is so humiliating for the princess that Daniel can pack his things.
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Prince Albert proud of Princess Charlene after ‘very difficult year’
Princess Margaret and Anthony after announcing their engagement.
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Princess Margaret
Princess Margaret’s illustrious divorce clears the way for other family members to end their marriage. Queen Elizabeth’s sister is having a hard time if she is not allowed to marry the already divorced Peter Townsend. That is allowed with photographer and breeder Antony Armstrong-Jones. During the marriage from 1960 to 1978, the couple appeared in the tabloids more often than they would like due to affairs and illegitimate children. At the end of the seventies, the princess is really done with it and puts her husband aside – who marries another one a month later. The princess passed away in 2002.
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5 bizarre 18+ scandals of the British royals
Princess Anne and Mark Philips on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after they say yes.
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Princess Anne
Princess Anne can talk about divorces. She marries Mark Philips and together they pass on their love for equestrian sports to their children Peter and Zara. When it turns out that Mark has fathered a daughter out of wedlock, the marriage ends in 1992 after almost twenty years. Sitting still is not for Anne: in the same year she marries her current partner Timothy Lawrence.
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Princess Anne strongly criticizes Harry, Meghan and others
Charles and Diana during their wedding.
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Prins Charles
Prince Charles has caused a PR disaster with his official divorce from darling Princess Diana. During the marriage he cannot forget his childhood sweetheart Camilla, with whom he is now married. The tabloids are selling like hot cakes thanks to the many scandals that marriage has to offer. In 1992 it is over between the two, after which they officially divorce four years later. A year later, Princess Diana dies.
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‘Princess Diana wanted to move to America with sons’
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in happy times.
Image © ANP
Prins Andrew
1996 has been a terrible year for Queen Elizabeth. Not only does she have her hands full with the nightmare of a divorce from Charles, Prince Andrew also announces his divorce. When a topless Sarah Ferguson is caught on camera with another man sucking her toes, her marriage is over. Despite the split, Andrew and Fergie still get along and she is still part of the royal family.