The Dutch royal family gathered together at the weekend to celebrate the christening of little Claus-Casimir, son of Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien. The proud parents were joined by Queen Beatrix and Crown Prince Willem Alexander for the ceremony at Het Loo palace in Apeldoorn.
The infant, who was dressed in a traditional lace-trimmed christening gown for his big day, was on his best behaviour. But his big sister Eloise seemed less than impressed by all the excitement, letting out a yawn when the family was having its picture taken.
Sunday's ceremony comes seven months after Claus-Casimir was born at Bronovo Hospital in The Hague. The birth brought some much-needed joy to the royal household, which had just suffered the death of Constantijn's grandmother Princess Juliana.
It is only rarely that Prince Constantijn, who is Queen Beatrix's third and youngest son, attends public events in his capacity as a member of the Royal House. Along with his siblings, the Brussels-based businessman has made a conscious decision to pursue his own career and live a life largely out of the public eye.
When asked about their choice of name, the new parents said their little boy had been named after his grandfather Prince Claus, who died in 2002, and three Friesian governors who were all called Casimir. "If he develops more as a Claus, then it will be Claus, if he develops more as a Casimir, it will be Casimir," explained his father.
Claus-Casimir, Prince Constantijn, Princess Laurentien
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