Prince Claus of the Netherlands

Prince Claus of the Netherlands was born in Germany in 1926 as Claus von Amsberg. He studied law and served in the German army during World War II, which later caused controversy when he married Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in 1966. However, he renounced his German citizenship and became a Dutch citizen before the wedding. As Prince Consort, Claus was an advocate for the environment, sustainable development, and cultural diversity. He also had a deep interest in African culture and helped establish the Prince Claus Fund in 1996 to support cultural expression and innovative projects in developing countries. Prince Claus suffered from Parkinson's disease and died in 2002 at the age of 76. He was remembered as a progressive and passionate advocate for social justice and cultural understanding.