Charming and impulsive, he spent his early years at his family's estate of "Reckenwalde" near the Polish border. After finishing his studies he worked for IG Farben in Paris until, on 8 September 1936, his engagement with Princess Juliana of The Netherlands was announced.

The marriage took place on 7 January 1937 and a year later the first of four daughters was born. In 1940, after the German army crossed the Dutch border, he accompanied his mother-in-law, Queen Wilhelmina, to England while his wife and their two daughters went to Canada.

In England he made a career in the army and established his name in the Dutch forces. After the end of the war he returned to The Netherlands and became Inspector-General of the Army, Air Force and Navy. He put his efforts into the rebuilding of The Netherlands as well as involved himself in social, cultural, economic and ecological problems. As Goodwill Ambassador he travelled the world and established many cultural and business contacts.

In 1976, after it was established that he had overstepped his authority, he resigned his military functions but continued his efforts for world wide nature preservations. With his personal donations he supported the fight against the poachers of elephants and rhinoceroses. As a dedicated pilot he has flown in more than 200 different planes. 
 

Source: Leo van de Pas