A romance between Princess Juliana, the fifteen year old daughter of Queen Wilhelmina of Holland, and the young Jewish cantor of an Amsterdam synagogue was made known here today. Although the story was common knowledge in Holland for some time no newspaper in that country dared to print it.
Princess Juliana had gone to Amsterdam during her holiday from school, accompanied by a lady-in-waiting. She escaped from her chaperon and wandered into a synagogue where Gabriel Alaro, a widower of thirty with two children, was chanting the services.
The Princess was thrilled, so much so that she returned the next day and the next. She sought to disguise herself as a pious Jewish girl and managed to intercept the cantor when services were over. She told him how his voice had been an inspiration to her.
The sexton didn’t believe the enthusiastic girl was Jewish and recognized her from newspaper pictures. He communicated with The Hague. Court emissaries took Princess Juliana home. She protested that she and she alone must help the cantor study so that a new Caruso might be given to the world. But Queen Wilhelmina placed her daughter under the surveillance of tutors.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
