Dutch State Banquet for Chinese President

The Chinese President and First Lady welcomed by King Willem-Alexander, Queen
Maxima and Princess Beatrix. Image: @Royalty

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima held a state banquet in honor of Chinese President Xi Jinping. This was the first time a Chinese president ever set foot in the Netherlands since e establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Memorial service for Prince Johan Friso

A memorial service was held for Prince Johan Friso. Image: BBC

The Dutch Royal Family has held a memorial service in honor of Prince Johan Friso. A private ceremony was attended by members of the royal house, as well as 900 other prominent guests, from members of foreign royal families, government leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Rutte, to dignitaries, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and celebrities, like U2 singer Bono and designers Viktor & Rolf reports Dutch News.

The ceremony lasted for about two hours,  at the Oude Kerk (Old Church) in Amsterdam.
Prince Johan Friso died August 12, more than a year after he was buried under snow in Austria and suffered comatose. He was laid to rest August 16, in Lage Vuursche, in the municipality of Baarn.

The Oude Kerk is special to the prince. As a student, he lived opposite it, reports Gulf Times. The Dutch Royal Family expressed their gratitude for the warm support that they received.

A "Word of Thanks" on the family's official website writes:

We thank you wholeheartedly
for your warm words and
expressions of support and sympathy.
Friso's dedication, loyalty and love
meant so much to us.
His keen insights, sense of perspective, humour
and self-assured yet unassuming presence
will remain with us forever.

Dutch King and Queen visit Oslo

King Harald welcomes the Dutch king and queen.
(Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB scanpix)

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima dropped by Oslo Wednesday and were welcomed by King Harald and the Royal Family together with government leaders, including parliament president and the prime minister. The royal couple's visit was part of the series of "introductory" royal tours to neighboring countries since the King's accession last April. The Royal House of Norway's official website provides us the details of the royal visit.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose with the King and
Queen and Crown Prince and Princess of Norway.
(Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB scanpix)



King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are cheered by children
from the Dutch school. (Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB scanpix)

 

Prince Johan Friso Laid to Rest

Prince Johan Friso and Princess Mabel.

Prince Johan Friso has been finally laid to rest. Based on the information provided by the Netherlands Government Information Service (RVD), the funeral took place in the afternoon of Friday, August 16, in Lage Vuursche, in the municipality of Baarn. The event was a private ceremony. After a service in the Stulpkerk in Lage Vuursche, the Prince was buried in the adjacent cemetery.

The service was officiated by Reverend C.A. ter Linden.

A memorial service for Prince Friso will be held later in the year. Image: Het Koninklijk Huis

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King Willem-Alexander visits Motorcycle Support Netherlands in Goirle

June 11 - King Willem-Alexander visited the Motorcycle Support in Goirle Netherlands. Motorcycle Support Netherlands is one of the beneficiaries of the Orange Fund Growth Program.

Motorcycle Support Netherlands assists impaired and disabled individuals, helping them land a decent and suitable job. The organization’s programs include day care centers, job training, coaching and personal skills development. Motorcycle Support also offers jobs by employing individuals in its engine and car workshop, or through internships and placement with companies in the region.

The King spoke during the visit with regards to the functions, contributions and the future of Motorcycle Support. He also visited the workshop and spoke with young people about their experiences with this initiative.

Willem-Alexander sworn as king of the Netherlands

King Willem-Alexander is sworn as king 

BBC reports that Willem-Alexander has been sworn in as the new king of the Netherlands. The festivities heightened with the water pageant. The people rejoiced as they watched the new king sail down the River IJ in Amsterdam.

More than 200 boats joined the orange-decorated flotilla.

Following the abdication of the king's mother, Queen Beatrix, the new king swore to uphold the Dutch constitution. The colorful enthronement ceremony was celebrated at the Nieuwe Kerk before the joint session of the Dutch Parliament.

"I swear that I shall defend and preserve the independence and territory of the state with all my powers," he said.

"That I shall protect the general and individual freedom and rights of all my subjects and shall use all available means granted to me by law for preserving and promoting general and individual prosperity as I befitting of a good king.... So help me God almighty."

More than 25,000 people were present at the square outside the church to witness the event and cheer as the new king was officially inaugurated "amid a trumpet fanfare," reports BBC.

To add glitter to the event, dozens of royals from all over the world flocked to the decommissioned church to witness the event, all in their best finery.

Queen Beatrix abdicates, King Willem-Alexander succeeds Dutch throne

Queen Beatrix, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima
waves to cheering crowds. (Image copyright AP)

Queen Beatrix, whose infectious smile and warm personality endeared her not only to her subjects, but also the entire world, abdicated today. His eldest son, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander succeeds to the Dutch throne. He is the Netherlands' first king since 1890. 

The Mail Online reports that the former queen was rather "emotional" as she passed her throne to her eldest son before thousands of adoring subjects that "poured on to the streets of Amsterdam to welcome their first king in more than 100 years."

The 46-year-old king clutched his mother's hand after each has placed their signatures on the instrument of abdication at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.

The 75-year-old queen was on the verge of tears while making her appearance on the balcony. More than 200,000 flocked in front of the royal palace to witnessed the historic event.

"Today, I make way for a new generation," she said.  

"I am happy and grateful to introduce to you your new king, Willem-Alexander."

Moments later, as a sign of passing the reins of the kingdom to the new king, the queen left the balcony. The king, his wife and three daughters (children in matching yellow dresses and head bands) were waving before the crowd.

The king, himself, was emotional. He said, "Dear mother, today you relinquished the throne. 33 years moving and inspiring years. We are intensely, intensely grateful to you."

Queen Beatrix signs the instrument of abdication.

Queen Beatrix holds the hand of son and successor King Willem-Alexander.

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and daughters (in matching yellow clothes)
at the balcony of the Royal Palace as they wave before
thousands of cheering crowd. 

The document of abdication.

More than 200,000 crowds flocked in front of the Royal Palace to
witness Queen Beatrix's abdication.

Last night, royals from all over Europe converged at the world-famous Rijksmuseum to join Queen Beatrix and members of the Dutch Royal Family at the state banquet in honor of the Queen and her successor.

Among the royalties who attended include Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, the Crown Prince and Princess of Belgium, Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco, Former UN Secretary General and Mrs. Kofi Annan, the Prince and Princess of the Asturias, the Crown Prince and Princess of Belgium, Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway, the Crown Prince and Princess of Brunei, Crown Princess Victoria and husband Prince Daniel of Sweden, the Crown Prince of Japan, Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stephanie of Belgium, and the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark.

Former UN Secretary General and Mrs. Kofi Annan

The Prince and Princess of the Asturias

Prince Albert II of Monaco

The Crown Prince and Princess of Belgium

The Crown Prince and Princess of Norway

The Crown Prince and Princess of Brunei

From left to right, Prince Daniel, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
and Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan

Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark

Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands is tucked between his wife
Princess Laurentien (left) and sister-in-law Princess Mabel (right),
whose husband Prince Johan Friso is still in comatose. 

Queen Beatrix's sisters, Princess Christina (right)
and Princess Irene.

Queen Beatrix (at the center) enjoys the state banquet with her family
and royal guests

Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

From the Dutch Royal House’s website: outline of abdication and investiture

Here’s the detail of the abdication and investiture ceremonies on April 30, 2013 straight from the Dutch Royal House’s official website. 

10.00-10.30 am – Queen Beatrix proclaims her abdication before the Presidents of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Council of Ministers for the Kingdom and members of the Royal Family. The Queen signs the instrument of abdication, which is read aloud by the Director of the Queen's Office.

10.30-10.50 am - His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen and Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands appear on the balcony of the Palace. Princess Beatrix and the King will both give a short address. Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange and Their Royal Highnesses Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane will then join their parents on the balcony.

1.55 pm- The King and his retinue proceed to the Nieuwe Kerk.

2-2.30 pm – The King swears in and in invested during a joint session of the two Houses of the States General in the Nieuwe Kerk. The King delivers an address and is sworn in. The President of the two Houses, Fred de Graaf, delivers an address and makes a solemn declaration, after which every member of the States General and the States of Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten swears an oath or makes an affirmation.

4.13-5.30 pm- Reception for authorities and members of the States General in the Royal Palace Amsterdam.

Queen Beatrix's speech announcing her abdication

As you all know, in a few days I hope to celebrate my 75th birthday. I am thankful that I have been granted the opportunity to do so in good health. At the end of this year we shall mark the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, an occasion that ushered in a new era in our history. The fact that these two special events coincide led me to decide to relinquish the throne this year. It seems to me to be an appropriate moment to take this step, which I have been considering for some time.


I have always regarded it as an exceptional privilege to have been able to dedicate a large part of my life to the service of our country and to have been able to discharge the duties of the monarchy as I was called to do. For many years Prince Claus was a great support to me in this task.

Throughout this time I have derived great satisfaction from such a fulfilling role. It is inspiring to feel close to people, to sympathise with them in times of sorrow and to share in times of joy and national pride. That has also been my experience in the Caribbean parts of our Kingdom, where I have always encountered great warmth and hospitality. So I am abdicating not because my duties are becoming too burdensome, but because I am convinced that it is time for the responsibility for our country to pass to a new generation. On 30 April this year, with the utmost confidence, I shall hand over the duties of the monarchy to my son, the Prince of Orange. He and Princess Máxima are fully prepared for their future role. They will serve our country with dedication, faithfully uphold the Constitution and use their many talents to discharge the duties of the monarchy in their own distinctive way.

I feel fortified by the knowledge that making way for my successor does not mean that I am taking my leave of you all. I hope still to have plenty of opportunities to meet many of you. I am deeply grateful to you for the trust that you have placed in me throughout the many rewarding years I have had the privilege of being your Queen.

Queen Beatrix to abdicate

© Wikimedia Commons

Queen Beatrix

In line with tradition began by her grandmother Queen Juliana, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has announced that she would abdicate the throne on April 30. She will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, who will be the first Dutch king in 122 years, the last being his great-great grandfather, King Willem III, who ruled from 1849 until 1890. 

In a prerecorded address, delivered in Huis ten Bosch Palace, the Queen said that it took her a hard time to make up her mind and decide for “the moment to lay down my crown.” 

“I am not abdicating because this office is too much of a burden, but out of conviction that the responsibility for our nation should now rest in the hands of a new generation.

“I am deeply grateful for the great faith you have shown in me in the many years that I could be your Queen,” she added.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has nothing but praises to her sovereign, saying that right from the start of becoming queen, Her Majesty “has applied herself heart and soul for Dutch society.”

BBC Correspondent in the Netherlands Anna Holligan wrote that Queen Beatrix was ever a grandmother to her people, writing that reverence to Her Majesty is felt as “office buildings and universities proudly display her glamorous portrait, decorated in a range of suitably colourful costumes.”

It has been a tradition among Dutch monarchs to abdicate. In 1948, Queen Wilhelma abdicated when she was 68. Her daughter, Queen Juliana resigned on her 71st birthday. Tomorrow, Queen Beatrix will turn 75.

The Queen’s heir-apparent, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander  was born on April 27, 1967. He served at the Dutch Royal Navy, attended Leiden University where he studied history and showed an active interest in the promotion of water management. The Crown Prince’s wife, the Argentine-born Princess Maxima (nee Zorreguita Ceruti), whom he married in 2002, is very popular in the country.

Prince Johan Friso shows signs of slight improvement

Prince John Friso

An official statement from the Dutch Royal Family reveals that Prince Johan Friso has already showed signed of slight recovery after showing "minimal signs of consciousness," reports The Daily Mail. The Prince, second son of Queen Beatrix, has been in coma after being buried in an avalanche while skiing in Lech, Austria, in March this year. The prince is still under treatment at a hospital in London.

AP: Queen Beatrix swears in new government

Queen Beatrix is flanked by his newly sworn in cabinet members.

Queen Beatrix swore in a new centrist Dutch government under Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Monday, even as the conservative leader faced harsh criticism from members of his own party over a plan to hike health care premiums. Eight of the 13 Cabinet ministers swore an oath of office to the monarch in the ornately painted Orange Hall of the 17th Century Huis ten Bosch palace in a forest outside The Hague. 

The remaining five, including Rutte, had already taken the oath before taking office in Rutte's first administration. The brief ceremony — lasting less than three minutes — was broadcast live on Dutch television and online for the first time.

Queen Beatrix the costliest monarch in Europe but French president the costliest head of state

Queen Beatrix costs more money than any other monarch in Europe although she's way 

Queen Beatrix and the entire Dutch royal family are the most expensive royal family in Europe at a cost of £31 million a year paid for by the Dutch taxpayers. 



However, it was revealed that the most expensive head of state in all of Europe was not a king or queen but a president! Matthijs’ group had found out that it costs the French people more to finance their president than they would had they been a monarchy. The country’s head of state, Francois Hollande, costs £87.2 million annually, a sum thrice the cost of keeping the Dutch House of Orange.


The report was made by Herman Matthijs, professor of administrative science and public finances at Ghent University, who found out that the cost of British monarchy, known for its transparency when it comes to its finances had been cut by 16 per cent to £29.7 million last year compared to £35.5 million the past two years.


Meanwhile, Queen Beatrix raked £30.7 million, £14 million of which were spent on personal allowances. This is quadruple the amount that the Spanish royal family had received. Spain in fact is at heart of the Europe’s debt crisis.


Queen Beatrix has made it known that she has no plans on cost cutting, while the Spanish royals have already agreed on a 7 percent pay cut. 

Princess Mabel resumes public appearance

Princess Mabel joins Crown Princess Maxima
a concert in London

With her sister-in-law Princess Maxima’s support, Princess Mabel made her first public appearance since her husband’s accident.

The blonde 43-year-old princess, with her anguish still noticeable, visited the Barbican Theatre in London to watch a concert by the Dutch Royal Concertgebuw Orchestra. The princess, with her daughters Luana and Zaria resides in London.  

Her husband, Prince Johan Friso, remains in coma since after an avalanche that buried him under snow for 15 minutes last Feb. 17. He is now being cared at London’s Wellington Hospital, where his wife and family visits him regularly. Queen Beatrix herself goes to London every week to check on her son.

The Netherlands celebrates The Queen's Day

Queen Beatrix. Confetti worth for a Queen

Despite the tragedy that shrouds the Netherlands’ House of Orange, the royals still masked a smile on their faces as the orange fever takes over the Queen’s Day in celebration of Queen Beatrix’s birthday. Members of the Dutch Royal Family joined the crowd in the games and festivities. Missing are the Queen’s son, Prince Friso, who still remains in coma after a skiing accident in February, and his wife, Princess Mabel. In her speech, the Queen mentioned:

Crown Princess Maxima joins the tug-of-war competition.

The orange fever swept the country during the Queen's Day.

Crown Prince Willem Alexander during the toilet throwing
 competition.

“It is a pity and sad that our family isn’t complete today.  But I’m very grateful for all the warmth and well wishes we have seen and heard here today and I will pass them on.”

All over town, vendors lined the street selling all kinds of items, while the toilet throwing contest, a tradition began in 2000, saw Prince Willem Alexander beat his younger brother Prince Constantijn. Meanwhile, Crown Princess Maxima joined the crowd in the tug-of-war competition.

Queen Beatrix was born January 31, although her official birthday is celebrated every April 30th, her mother, the late Queen Juliana’s birthday. When she succeeded as Queen, she retained that date in honor of her mother as well as for a more practical reason due to the freezing weather of January.