Prince Willem-Alexander celebrates his 45th birthday today.

Festivities will be held at De Horsten estate in Wassenaar, where the prince lives with his wife Princess Maxima and his three daughters Princesses Amalia, Alexia and Ariane.

Willem-Alexander is now three years older than his mother was when she took the throne back in 1980. The prince is also one of the oldest crown princes. Only Britain's Prince Charles (63) and Prince Philip (52) of Belgium are older. 

On a more somber note, this is Prince Willem-Alexander's first birthday since his brother Prince Johan Friso was caught in an avalanche while skiing near Lech, Austria in February. Since then Prince Friso has been in a coma after suffering massive brain damage.

(dcf/hs)

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