‘This is also an indescribably great loss for Princess Beatrix. The death of a child is the worst thing that can happen to a parent. King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien have lost a brother and a brother-in-law who meant a great deal to them. For them, too, it is a black day.
‘To Princess Mabel and the rest of the family, the main thing I would like to say at this time, so soon after the Prince’s passing, is that the people of the Netherlands share in your loss and wish you the courage and strength to get through this difficult and painful time.
‘Prince Friso will remain in our thoughts as a man with wide-ranging interests who always placed his many talents in the service of society. His personal style was both professional and passionate. We remember Prince Friso with the greatest respect.’