Will Extinction Rebellion get its first royal member? Countess Eloise of Orange-Nassau admits she’s open to joining the eco-warrior movement – but critics call the jet-setting royal influencer a ‘hypocrite’
Countess Eloise of Orange-Nassau once refused to join Extinction Rebellion as she opened up about being ashamed of her jet-setting lifestyle.
The countess, 21, grandchild of Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus of the Netherlands, said in a recent interview that she was disappointed with her carbon footprint.
Speak with Media newspaperthe royal family – who have shared photos of luxury holidays to Japan, New York and Italy in recent years – said: ‘It’s a shame I fly so often.’
In the interview, Eloise said that she wants to follow in the footsteps of Dutch Game of Thrones actress Carice van Houten.
The star – who played Melisandre in the hit HBO series – was arrested twice last year for blocking a highway in The Hague during climate protests organized by Extinction Rebellion.
Countess Eloise of Orange-Nassau (pictured) revealed she is open to the possibility of joining Extinction Rebellion
The countess says she has had ‘a lot of contact’ with Van Houten.
She added: “I’m not thinking of getting involved [Extinction Rebellion] now, but who knows at another time.’
In recent years, the Countess has traveled to Prague, Italy, France, Japan, America and is currently on a ski trip.
Despite sharing details of her travels with her 435,000 Instagram followers, Eloise says she still feels bad about the number of trips she takes.
She explains: ‘At the beginning of this year I had a huge feeling of flying shame, it made me nervous about how much I was flying.
‘But the stupid thing is that I also like the world. I try to compensate for that in my daily life.’
The countess also opened up about whether she wants to have children amid the climate change crisis.
She said: ‘Lately I’ve been wondering more and more about bringing children into this world.
The 21-year-old countess has encountered controversy after speaking out about her propensity for jet-setting. She is pictured above at the Harper’ Bazaar Women of the Year Awards in November 2023
Eloise had some wonderful holidays last year, including New York (pictured), Japan and Italy
During her interview with Media Courant, Eloise reveals that she has been in contact with actress Carice van Houten – who was arrested twice last year for blocking a highway in The Hague during climate protests organized by Extinction Rebellion
‘What will the planet look like in fifty years? I don’t know, but I feel like it’s really going to make the world laugh and giggle.”
Although the Countess emphasized that she is not currently a member of Extinction Rebellion, she did not rule it out in the future.
The 21-year-old, who is fifth in line to the Dutch throne, has faced criticism online since the interview was published, with many taking issue with her frequent holidays.
One reader wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘What hypocritical behavior.
‘Doesn’t do any good for the image of the royal family if you ask me.’
A second added: ‘Don’t worry, the commercial influencer is on her first trip of the year: a sponsored ski trip at the expense of a ski goggle brand, for which she can’t even be bothered to follow the brand in question on Insta. #Nepobaby.”
The royal family, who is fifth in line to the Dutch throne, said the current state of the environment is enough to stop her from having children
Eloise, who is currently on a ski trip to ring in the new year, is open to joining Extinction Rebellion in the future
A third wrote: ‘This desire for attention, sometimes wrong, will do her more harm than good in the long run.’
A fourth drew attention to an upcoming climate camp in the Netherlands, saying: ‘This is an opportunity for Eloise: (Note: satire) The Netherlands’ most famous countess can immediately translate her intentions into action.
‘Nice and close to home and within the family, there is probably a vintage fur coat to protect against the cold. Selfie on Insta and done! Just a shame about the anonymity.’
Eloise is the eldest grandchild of Princess Beatrix, the former Queen of the Netherlands, but has largely remained out of the public eye until now, along with her younger siblings Count Claus-Casimir and Countess Leonor.
Social media users took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on Eloise’s statements
The family is seen at some royal occasions, such as the annual winter photo session in Lech, Austria.
Eloise was a member of the Royal House of the Netherlands until the abdication of her grandmother in favor of her uncle.
She and her siblings were then no longer part of the household, but remain members of the royal family.
Eloise was baptized into the Church of the Netherlands on December 15, 2002 in the Royal Chapel of Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn.
Her godparents are her paternal uncle, Prince Friso, her paternal cousin, Princess Carolina, Marchioness of Sala, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Sophie van de Wow.