Dutch king reveals double life as airline pilot
Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands juggles royal duties with flying KLM passengers around the world

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has let slip that he has been secretly flying passengers on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flights for more than two decades.
The avid aviator spoke about his double life to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, saying he found flying "simply fantastic". He has co-piloted KLM planes twice a month for 21 years without his passengers realising.
Calling his part-time role a "hobby", the king said he used flying to decompress from his royal duties.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"You have an aircraft, passengers and crew. You have responsibility for them. You can't take your problems from the ground into the skies. You can completely disengage and concentrate on something else. That, for me, is the most relaxing part of flying," he said.
The 50-year-old father of three became king of the Netherlands in 2013, when his mother, Beatrix, abdicated, but has continued his other job in the cockpit.
He told De Telegraaf he was rarely recognised wearing his KLM cap and uniform and that he never uses his name while addressing passengers, although some have recognised his voice.
"Most people don't listen anyway," he added.
KLM's Fokker 70 aircraft are being replaced this year with Boeing 737s, which Willem-Alexander says he will also learn to fly.
The Dutch royal family is renowned for being firmly egalitarian. Its members do normal jobs, cycle to official events and send their children to state schools.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
10 things you need to know today: September 26, 2023
Daily Briefing Congress returns to work with shutdown looming, Ukraine says it killed Russia's Black Sea Fleet commander, and more
By Harold Maass Published
-
Why the Roman Empire is suddenly everywhere online
The Explainer It fell more than 1,500 years ago — so why is it dominating social media?
By Justin Klawans Published
-
How climate change is going to change the insurance industry
The Explainer Some regions will soon be 'uninsurable'
By Devika Rao Published
-
Pros and cons of e-scooters
Pros and Cons Enthusiasts praise their convenience but sceptics say they are dangerous and environmentally damaging
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Rail strikes: is Britain on track for a ‘summer of discontent’?
Speed Read The ‘biggest rail strike in modern history’ is planned for next week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
China Eastern Airlines plane crash: how did disaster occur at 29,000 feet?
feature Piecing together a full picture of events ‘could take years’
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
‘See it. Say it. Sorted’: is it the end of the line for train announcements?
Speed Read The transport secretary has pledged a ‘bonfire of the banalities’ on England’s railways
By The Week Staff Published
-
Suez Canal blockage investigators shine spotlight on Ever Given crew
feature Billions of dollars at stake as experts try to explain who or what is to blame for the cargo ship’s grounding
By Joe Evans Last updated
-
New evidence points to final resting place of missing MH370
Speed Read Findings of ocean study fuels call for reopening of search for lost Malaysia Airlines jet
By Joe Evans Last updated
-
UK to bring in airport Covid tests for arrivals
Speed Read MPs call for stricter border measures as South African variant of coronavirus spreads
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Thousands of Britain’s busiest bridges ‘at risk of failure’, official data show
Speed Read Structures in ‘very poor’ condition remain open amid concerns about disruption during repairs
By Joe Evans Last updated