‘Bloodbath’ note, ‘Mossad’-marked axes: Dutch man held over alleged plot targeting princesses

A 33-year-old man accused of plotting an attack on two members of the Dutch royal family is set to appear before a court in the Netherlands on Monday, amid disturbing allegations involving weapons marked with threatening inscriptions.

Dutch prosecutors say the suspect, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was arrested over an alleged plan to target Princess Catharina-Amalia, the 22-year-old heir to the Dutch throne, and her younger sister Princess Alexia, 20.

The case has raised fresh concerns over the security of the Dutch royal family, particularly Crown Princess Amalia, who has faced repeated threats in recent years.

Disturbing evidence recovered

According to a court order issued by prosecutors in The Hague, the suspect was allegedly preparing an attack in February.

Investigators reportedly recovered axes bearing chilling inscriptions, including the name “Alexia,” the word “Mossad” — a reference to Israel’s intelligence agency — and the Nazi salute “Sieg Heil.”

Authorities also said a handwritten note was found containing the names “Amalia,” “Alexia,” and the word “Bloodbath.”

The motive behind the alleged plot remains unclear.

The Dutch royal family, formally known as the House of Orange-Nassau, is historically Protestant and has no known connection to Judaism, making some of the inscriptions particularly puzzling to investigators.

Security concerns for the royal family

The allegations emerge shortly after the Dutch royal family participated in public King’s Day celebrations in the city of Dokkum on April 27.

The case is likely to intensify security around royal public appearances.

Princess Amalia, the eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, has been under heightened protection for years following multiple threats.

In 2022, Dutch authorities intercepted communications suggesting organised crime groups were plotting to kidnap both Amalia and then-prime minister Mark Rutte.

The threats forced the princess to leave her student accommodation in Amsterdam shortly after beginning university and return to the royal palace.

At the time, Queen Maxima described the impact on her daughter as severe.

“She can’t leave home,” the queen said, adding that the threats had “enormous consequences for her life.”

Temporary move to Madrid

As security concerns escalated, Princess Amalia later relocated temporarily to Madrid, where she continued her studies under strict protection.

Reflecting on that period in 2024, the crown princess described it as an unusual but liberating experience.

“Of course, it was strange circumstances that made me go there,” she said.

“I’m still very grateful to everyone who made it possible for me to walk around there in freedom. I managed to find a little more freedom there than was possible here.”

History of threats

This is not the first time threats have been directed at the Dutch crown princess.

In 2020, one man was convicted of threatening Amalia, while another was found guilty of sending menacing messages through Instagram to the then-teenage royal and one of her friends.

The latest allegations are expected to renew debate in the Netherlands over royal security and the growing challenges faced by public figures amid rising extremist threats.

The suspect’s court appearance on Monday is expected to reveal further details about the investigation and the extent of the alleged plot.