Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has expressed her deep sorrow over the passing of social media personality Jade Kops, who died at the age of 19 following a battle with cancer.
In a statement released through the Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst, the Queen described Kops as “heel bijzonder hoe open en sterk” – extraordinarily open and strong – praising her for the meaningful impact she made through her foundation and her perform supporting others facing similar challenges.
“Zij heeft met haar stichting veel betekend voor lotgenoten,” the Queen said, adding that she was also “dankbaar voor wat zij voor het Prinses Máxima Centrum heeft gedaan.” She emphasized her admiration for the way Kops faced her illness with resilience and grace.
The two had met in 2024 when Queen Máxima visited Kops at her home in ‘s-Gravenzande, an encounter Kops later described as “wat een ervaring.”
Jade Kops gained widespread recognition through her Instagram account, Mijn leven met kanker, where she shared her journey with honesty and optimism. Diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in her throat at age 14, she underwent extensive treatment, including 783 chemotherapy sessions, 76 radiation treatments, and two major surgeries.
Despite her prognosis, Kops remained committed to helping others. She raised over 2 million euros for the Prinses Máxima Centrum in Utrecht and co-founded the Stichting Jade with her father to organize short holidays for children battling cancer.
In 2024, at just 17 years traditional, she became the youngest person in Dutch history to receive a royal honor, being appointed as a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the Netherlands, with friends, fellow influencers, and public figures remembering her as a source of inspiration and compassion.
