After a first half of the year marked by travel, ceremonies, and official commitments, Máxima and Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands returned to seek the tranquility of the Mediterranean.
As is the case during many of their summers, the monarchs chose Greece to slow down and enjoy their more private days. Their retreat is in the Peloponnese region, where they own a seaside residence from which they can escape the protocol and spend time with family.
There, the routine changes completely. There are no official receptions, speeches, or gala dresses. The days unfold between sea swims, relaxed lunches, boat rides, and excursions through the waters surrounding the Greek coast.
One of the inevitable stars of those vacations is the spectacular yacht Máxima and Willem-Alexander bought in 2020: a Wajer 55 built by an exclusive Dutch shipyard, valued at around two million euros at the time.
Máxima and Willem-Alexander’s Seaside Retreat
The Dutch royal family owns a private property in the Peloponnese, one of Greece’s most attractive regions for its small coves, clear waters, and landscapes far from mass tourism.
According to information published by European media, the residence has direct access to the sea and a private dock, a fundamental convenience for the family’s preferred summer activity: sailing.
The Royal Household maintains a strict separation between the kings’ public agenda and their private life. For this reason, they do not typically disclose where they stay, how long their vacations last, or what activities they undertake during their days off.
Nevertheless, over the years, various images have allowed us to glimpse some details of their Greek summers. Máxima and Willem-Alexander were photographed sailing, performing maneuvers on the boat, and enjoying the sea with their daughters, Princesses Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane.
Days with Family, Navigation, and Mediterranean Swims
Away from the court’s formalities, the royals adopt a much more relaxed dynamic during vacations.
Willem-Alexander usually takes the helm of the boat, while Máxima and their daughters participate in the maneuvers. Images shot in previous seasons showed the queen giving directions, handling mooring lines, and assisting with docking.
The family does not typically use the yacht for long journeys. The routine, according to published reconstructions, is to sail close to the coast, seek a tranquil cove, drop anchor, and spend most of the day there.
Sea swims, moments of rest on the deck, and lunches aboard are part of an experience designed to enjoy the scenery and privacy. On some occasions Mambo, the family dog, accompanies them.
Máxima and Willem-Alexander’s Two-Million-Euro Yacht
The great luxury of the holidays is the Wajer 55 that the royals bought in 2020.
The acquisition was never officially announced by the Royal House. It came to light after Willem-Alexander was photographed sailing in the Dutch town of Heeg aboard a model different from the one he had been using until then.
The family already owned a Wajer 38, a smaller vessel built by the same shipyard. The images revealed that they had sold that boat to replace it with the Wajer 55, considerably larger, more powerful, and more sophisticated.
The value of the deal was estimated at around two million euros. Since it was a private purchase, the exact figure and how much money the royals obtained from the sale of the previous model were never disclosed.
Inside the Royal Yacht
The Wajer 55 is about 16 meters long, weighs over 20 tons, and was designed to blend the performance of a sporty vessel with the amenities of a small luxury yacht.
Inside it features a master bedroom equipped with a double bed and storage space. It also has a second sleeping area, a bathroom, and a kitchen, allowing long days and even overnight stays on board.
The deck offers various lounging zones and cushioned areas for sitting, sunbathing, or al fresco dining. The manufacturer also highlights the extendable platform at the stern, designed to facilitate water access during swims.
Another feature is the ability to customize materials, colors, and much of the finishing. In the vessel attributed to the royals, the orange-upholstered seats stand out, a choice linked to the traditional color of the House of Orange-Nassau and the Netherlands.
A Powerful Boat to Explore the Waters of Greece
Although it is built for high speeds, the yacht serves a primarily recreational purpose during vacations.
The Wajer 55 can reach about 38 knots — roughly 70 kilometers per hour — and maintain a cruising speed near 28 knots.
Its helm blends technology and comfort, with a minimalist-control panel, wraparound windshield, and ergonomically tailored seats. It also features docking aids such as automatic fenders, a concealed anchor, and integrated mooring cleats.
Despite these capabilities, Máxima and Willem-Alexander typically use it to navigate the vicinity of the Peloponnese and the Saronic Gulf, an area between the peninsula and the Attica region.
Máxima, Far from Protocol but Always True to Her Style
The holidays reveal a different facet of the Argentina-born queen.
Aboard the boat, Máxima tends to opt for light dresses, patterned tunics, swimsuits, sunglasses, and accessories designed to shield her from the Mediterranean climate. Yet even in the most informal moments, she maintains the colorful and sophisticated style that defines her.
In 2024, for example, she was photographed during a nautical day wearing a dress inspired by Greek mosaics, designed by Elena Makri. The images showed her assisting with the boat’s maneuvers and sharing the day with Willem-Alexander and her older daughters.
Outside official duties, the queen sets aside structured hats, stilettos, and historic jewelry, but does not abandon her penchant for prints, loose-fitting garments, and striking accessories.
The Luxury That Also Sparked Controversy
When the yacht purchase came to light in 2020, the move drew criticism in the Netherlands.
The acquisition was disclosed during the economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Although the vessel was paid for with the monarchs’ private wealth, different sectors questioned the timing of such an outlay, estimated at two million euros.
The controversy intensified months later, when the family traveled to Greece during the health restrictions in force in the Netherlands. Facing social disapproval, the royals interrupted those holidays and Willem-Alexander publicly apologized.
With time, the Wajer 55 became a regular presence in the family’s summers. Beyond its value and the debates it triggered, the boat functions as an extension of the Greek residence: a space to step away from the coast and preserve privacy.
The Orange Family’s Most Private Holidays
For Máxima and Willem-Alexander, Greece represents a pause from a life constantly in the spotlight.
During those weeks they can abandon the institutional agenda, spend time with their daughters, and enjoy a routine that, though surrounded by luxury, centers on family life.
The seaside home, hidden coves, and afternoons aboard their yacht form the setting chosen for that disconnect.
Between swims, navigation, and long moments of rest on the deck, the Netherlands’ kings spend their most intimate holidays in the Peloponnese: far from protocol, yet aboard one of the Mediterranean’s most exclusive ships.
