Dutch Royal Family security increased after suspect released

A court in The Hague has released 33-year-old Anne Romke van der H. from pretrial detention, despite allegations that he planned an attack on Dutch Princess Catharina-Amalia and Princess Alexia. The court ruled there was currently no legal basis for further detention until a verdict is delivered on August 31, 2026.

The defendant claimed during court proceedings that he experienced a psychotic episode in which he believed he was linked to Princess Amalia under the codename ‘Blutbad 400’ for a secret mission. While he denied intending to harm the sisters, prosecutors are seeking his mandatory commitment to a psychiatric institution.

Investigators previously discovered two axes in the suspect's hotel room with inscriptions including Princess Alexia's name, ‘Mossad’, and ‘Sieg Heil’. A handwritten note containing the princesses' names and the ‘Blutbad 400’ phrase was also recovered. In response to the situation, the Dutch Royal Palace has increased security measures for the princesses and their family.