Royal pet steals the show again at Christmas photo call – Royal Central

The Dutch Royal Family has posed for their annual Christmas photocall and while the fashion is up for debate, one family member clearly stole the show: Mambo, their pet dog.

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane posed in the courtyard at Huis ten Bosch Palace in front of the large Christmas trees.

In a few snaps, Mambo can be seen in the King’s arms, in Princess Amalia’s arms and in Princess Ariane’s arms, but before the family showed up, he arrived early and sniffed around the photographers. The press pack gathered reported that they could hear Queen Máxima calling for Mambo, “Come here!”

Mambo joined the Dutch Royal Family in 2021, and was introduced on the family’s social media for World Pet Day. He is a white toy poodle and joins Nala, Skipper and Luna, all Labradors, as pets of the Dutch royals.

The family posed for a series of snaps, the women all in fashionable winter coats and trousers: Queen Máxima in slate blue, Princess Amalia in red, Princess Alexia in dark blue, and Princess Ariane in green.

While King Willem-Alexander posed for his solo photo, he was overheard telling dad jokes with his daughters off to the side saying, “You’re so funny, dad,” in a sarcastic tone.

While Princess Ariane posed for her solo photos, Mambo was off to the side in Princess Amalia’s arms, drawing attention from the press pack.

The Dutch Royal Family did not pause for a question period after their photocall, which only lasted 15 minutes. Instead, they wished the press pack a happy holidays and returned in to Huis ten Bosch Palace.

Princess Amalia is currently studying at the University of Amsterdam, Princess Ariane at UWC Adriatic in Italy, and Princess Alexia is currently undergoing a gap year before she begins university.

The Dutch Royal Family typically poses for two photocalls a year: one in the summer and one in the winter. The winter photocall used to be a fixed event during their skiing holidays, but the government recently announced that they would no longer be fixed events as the princesses grow up and pursue education outside of the Netherlands.