Princess Beatrix was forced to pull out of the Dutch Ballet Gala at the last minute, despite attending the annual event every year.
A release from the Dutch Palace read: "Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands will attend the 28th edition of the Dutch Ballet Gala of the Dansersfonds '79 Foundation at the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam on Monday evening, November 2. The gala is a benefit performance for both young and established dance talent. This year, the ballet gala is dedicated to choreographer David Dawson."
"However, hours later, an update was released, which read: "Princess Beatrix is not attending the gala due to a cold."
The former Dutch queen is a regular guest at the gala, and over the years, the 88-year-old royal has attended with her son, King Willem-Alexander, and her younger sister, Princess Margriet.
© ANP/AFP via Getty ImagesPrincess Beatrix's health
The royal has typically been in good health throughout her life, but in 2023, she underwent surgery after she fractured her wrist during a skiing accident. At the time, the royal house said the former monarch was "otherwise in good health and will recover at home".
Despite abdicating the throne in 2013, Beatrix has continued carrying out royal engagements, and in 2025, she carried out an emotional outing to the Prinses Beatrix Spierfonds, an annual charity walk to raise money for people suffering from muscle diseases.
A caption from the Dutch Palace on social media read: "Princess Beatrix is at the sixth edition of the walk. She speaks to people with muscle disease, to jubilating organisers of the annual collection and to others involved in the Muscle Funds. At the finish, the Princess meets participants who have walked the route."
Why did Princess Beatrix abdicate?
Although it's uncommon for a British monarch to abdicate the throne, only happening once in the past 100 years, the action is considerably more common in European nations, especially in the Netherlands.
© Patrick van KatwijkBeatrix acceded to the throne on 30 April 1980 following the abdication of her mother, Queen Juliana, who had just turned 71. The Dutch royal was Queen of the Netherlands for 33 years before she decided to abdicate in favour of her son, Willem-Alexander.
Beatrix turned 75 in 2013 and decided to hand over the reins to the younger generation. She officially abdicated the throne on 30 April 2013, exactly 33 years after she succeeded her mother. Since stepping down, she has renounced the title of Queen, is instead styled as Princess, and has continued carrying out royal engagements.
