Prince Alexander was born on Sunday, 2 August 1818 at a quarter past ten in the morning.
His birth was announced the next day in the Nederlandsche Staatscourant.
To commemorate the birth of his second grandson William I of the Netherlands gave his daughter-in-law Anna Pavlovna the Czar Peter House in Zaandam, which had been inhabited by her ancestor Peter I of Russia during his stay in the Dutch Republic.

Prince Alexander was christened on the forty-sixth birthday of his grandfather, August 24, 1818 by the Reverend Krieger in The Hague.
The young Prince's paternal great-grandmother Wilhelmina of Prussia was present for the occasion.
Alexander received the names of his maternal uncles Alexander I of Russia, Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich of Russia, Nicholas I of Russia and Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich of Russia.

Alexander was educated together with his brother William III of the Netherlands, who was only eighteen months his senior.
Their father, the Prince of Orange, thought the physical education of the boys particularly important.
As such they spent much time outdoors.
The Prince of Orange actively partook in the upbringing of his children.
On October 22, 1822 Anna Pavlovna wrote to her brother Constantine, "the two eldest are big boys and are receiving their first lessons.
William started to teach them to read a year ago and now they have been entrusted to the care of a tutor who comes everyday to teach them.
Papa teaches them Geography."
The Princes William and Alexander later continued their studies at Leiden University, but neither of them showed a particular interest in academics.
Alexander did develop an interest in Numismatics 
From early childhood on Alexander was his parents' favorite son.
They saw him as more fit to rule than his brother William.
Alexander had inherited his father's easy going nature.
He had a large group of friends and even managed to get on reasonably well with his sister-in-law Sophie of Württemberg.
The latter had a difficult relationship with her in-laws, in particular with Anna Pavlovna.
Alexander was also known for his sense of humor, as he once appeared for a costume ball dressed from head to toe in shining armour.

Alexander was the first member of the House of Orange to have his photograph taken, and he was also the first to own a bicycle.

Alexander's greatest attachments were hunting and horses.
He received his first horse at the age of ten and became a skilled horseman.
At Het Loo he bred Frisian horses.
Alexander was also passionate hunter.
In 1839 he and his brother were permitted by their grandfather the King to reinstate the old practice of falconry at Het Loo.
The two brothers created the Royal Loo Hawking Club, with Alexander, as protector of the hawking sport, serving as chairman.
They gathered a company of international nobility at Het Loo.
Apart from hunting the company also engaged in horse races (Queen Anna Pavlovna once gave him a horse brought from England for 4000 Dutch guilders) and shooting contests.
A letter to the Prince's father proves how seriously Alexander took his hunting activities, as he explained his absence from The Hague: "I so desire to stay at Het Loo, where the falconry is wonderful this year.
You might disapprove of my behaviour and my decision, my dear father, but remember, beloved father, this is my only relaxation and the only pleasure I truly love."
After Alexander's death the expensive sport came to an end and in 1855 the curtain fell for the Royal Loo Hawking Club.

For one who did not particularly care for seafaring, Alexander travelled a great deal.
This included several visits to the United Kingdom, and longer journeys to Italy and his mother's native country.
On July 23, 1839 Alexander travelled to Russia to visit his maternal uncle Tsar Nicholas I, accompanied by his mentor Major Rigot de Beguins.
On August 26, 1839 the Tsar named his nephew Chief of a Novorossiysk Draagoon Regiment.
On October 3, Anna Pavlovna wrote to Tsar Nicholas thanking him for his kindness to her son: "How I should thank you, dear friend, for the gifts you have be
Prince Alexander was born on Sunday, 2 August 1818 at a quarter past ten in the morning. His birth was announced the next day in the Nederlandsche Staatscourant. To commemorate the birth of his second grandson William I of the Netherlands gave his daughter-in-law Anna Pavlovna the Czar Peter House in Zaandam, which had been inhabited by her ancestor Peter I of Russia during his stay in the Dutch Republic.
Prince Alexander was christened on the forty-sixth birthday of his grandfather, August 24, 1818 by the Reverend Krieger in The Hague. The young Prince's paternal great-grandmother Wilhelmina of Prussia was present for the occasion. Alexander received the names of his maternal uncles Alexander I of Russia, Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich of Russia, Nicholas I of Russia and Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich of Russia. 
Alexander was educated together with his brother William III of the Netherlands, who was only eighteen months his senior. Their father, the Prince of Orange, thought the physical education of the boys particularly important. As such they spent much time outdoors. The Prince of Orange actively partook in the upbringing of his children. On October 22, 1822 Anna Pavlovna wrote to her brother Constantine, "the two eldest are big boys and are receiving their first lessons. William started to teach them to read a year ago and now they have been entrusted to the care of a tutor who comes everyday to teach them. Papa teaches them Geography." The Princes William and Alexander later continued their studies at Leiden University, but neither of them showed a particular interest in academics. Alexander did develop an interest in Numismatics 
From early childhood on Alexander was his parents' favorite son. They saw him as more fit to rule than his brother William. Alexander had inherited his father's easy going nature. He had a large group of friends and even managed to get on reasonably well with his sister-in-law Sophie of Württemberg. The latter had a difficult relationship with her in-laws, in particular with Anna Pavlovna. Alexander was also known for his sense of humor, as he once appeared for a costume ball dressed from head to toe in shining armour. 
Alexander was the first member of the House of Orange to have his photograph taken, and he was also the first to own a bicycle.
Alexander's greatest attachments were hunting and horses. He received his first horse at the age of ten and became a skilled horseman. At Het Loo he bred Frisian horses. Alexander was also passionate hunter. In 1839 he and his brother were permitted by their grandfather the King to reinstate the old practice of falconry at Het Loo. The two brothers created the Royal Loo Hawking Club, with Alexander, as protector of the hawking sport, serving as chairman. They gathered a company of international nobility at Het Loo. Apart from hunting the company also engaged in horse races (Queen Anna Pavlovna once gave him a horse brought from England for 4000 Dutch guilders) and shooting contests. A letter to the Prince's father proves how seriously Alexander took his hunting activities, as he explained his absence from The Hague: "I so desire to stay at Het Loo, where the falconry is wonderful this year. You might disapprove of my behaviour and my decision, my dear father, but remember, beloved father, this is my only relaxation and the only pleasure I truly love." After Alexander's death the expensive sport came to an end and in 1855 the curtain fell for the Royal Loo Hawking Club.
For one who did not particularly care for seafaring, Alexander travelled a great deal. This included several visits to the United Kingdom, and longer journeys to Italy and his mother's native country. On July 23, 1839 Alexander travelled to Russia to visit his maternal uncle Tsar Nicholas I, accompanied by his mentor Major Rigot de Beguins. On August 26, 1839 the Tsar named his nephew Chief of a Novorossiysk Draagoon Regiment. On October 3, Anna Pavlovna wrote to Tsar Nicholas thanking him for his kindness to her son: "How I should thank you, dear friend, for the gifts you have be
Prince Alexander of the Netherlands