Princess Amalia of the Netherlands told local reporters that she was "grateful" for the opportunity to be safe and "free" in Madrid, Spain, amid continuing threats, as she attended the King's Day celebrations in Emmen, the Netherlands, to mark the birthday of her father, King Willem-Alexander.

The BBC previously reported that organized crime contacts have indicated that Princess Amalia, a student at the University of Amsterdam, may be targeted. The future queen was forced to return home amid growing fears that she might be kidnapped or attacked.

She then moved secretly to Madrid, Spain, to continue her research.

"Of course, it was a strange situation that led me to go there," she told Dutch reporters, Bild reported. 'I'm still very grateful to everyone who allowed me to walk around freely. I was able to find a little more freedom than was possible here."

Princess Amalia further said that living in Spain "made life somewhat possible" back home in the Netherlands.

"Holland is my home.

In April, Princess Amalia's father, King Willem-Alexander, revealed that his eldest daughter lives in Spain while entertaining King Felipe and Queen Letizia during a state visit. While speaking at the state dinner, the king thanked the Spanish royal family and all those who made his daughter's evacuation possible.

"Last year, due to circumstances, [my daughter] had to live in Madrid. From there she was able to continue her studies at the University of Amsterdam," King Willem-Alexander said. This was made possible by the kind efforts of many of our compatriots and yours truly." It is a touching demonstration of friendship in difficult times. I want to express my sincere gratitude to you and to all those who helped to make this arrangement possible."

Spain was undoubtedly chosen as a safe haven for the future queen for one of several reasons: her mother, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, is from Argentina, which is one reason why Princess Amalia is fluent in Spanish. Princess Amalia is fluent in Spanish partly because her mother, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, is from Argentina.

"Spain has a special place in our hearts. First of all, because it was in your country that our lives began," the King said in a speech at the same state dinner. 'We were at the Abril Festival in Seville 25 years ago. Sparks began to fly. The rest is history."

The rest is history.

King Willem-Alexander said at the King's Day celebration that it was "terrible" that Princess Amalia could not "flap her wings" under normal circumstances, but that he was grateful that she was "fortunate to have made it to Madrid."

Queen Maxima continued that her daughter was "smart" and "independent" and thus "coped very well."