Wilhelmina (1880-1962)

[CyrilSebastian]

In 1895, when she was fifteen, Queen Wilhelmina visited Queen Victoria in England. Victoria wrote in her diary: She (Wilhelmina) speaks good English and knows how to behave with charming manners.

[Qua Patet Orbis]

She was one of the only monarchs in Europe that fled from her own country and people, I don't have any respect for her.
There was also a big problem constitutionally during an right after the war, the Dutch constitution did not recognise any type of government outside of the kingdom borders and yet she tried to keep a non functioning government running from London.

[Principessa]

She was one of the only monarchs in Europe that fled from her own country and people, I don't have any respect for her.
There was also a big problem constitutionally during an right after the war, the Dutch constitution did not recognise any type of government outside of the kingdom borders and yet she tried to keep a non functioning government running from London.

Do you prefer the example of Leopold III. He remained in his own country and put by the Germans in luxurious imprisonment. He even managed to impregnate a young women, who later became his wife. This certainly didn't fell well with the Belgian people and led to the "koningskwestie'.  With result that by outcome of among other a referendum Leopold abdicated and his eldest son Baudouin became king.

[anastasia beaverhausen]

She was one of the only monarchs in Europe that fled from her own country and people, I don't have any respect for her.
There was also a big problem constitutionally during an right after the war, the Dutch constitution did not recognise any type of government outside of the kingdom borders and yet she tried to keep a non functioning government running from London.

Do you prefer the example of Leopold III. He remained in his own country and put by the Germans in luxurious imprisonment. He even managed to impregnate a young women, who later became his wife. This certainly didn't fell well with the Belgian people and led to the "koningskwestie'.  With result that by outcome of among other a referendum Leopold abdicated and his eldest son Baudouin became king.

Good point, Principessa!  I had forgotten about Leopold and I wonder what life was like for his 3 children during all that.

[Principessa]

I guess that there were and are pro- and cons regarding both options. Probably there would have been also negative remarks if Wilhelma stayed in the Netherlands and would be kept prisoner by the Germans. Also because I think in that case Wilhelmina would probably have not endured the hardship a lot of her fellow Dutch had to endure (among others the horrible Hongerwinter (= Hunger winter)) or at least not that much.

[CyrilSebastian]

Queen Wilhelmina visited King George VI in Great Britain in 1946. 

[CyrilSebastian]

Queen Wilhelmina broadcasted in Great Britain in 1940.     
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NnHUqP9q80

[CyrilSebastian]

Before her wedding, Queen Wilhelmina and her fiance Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Strelitz received the Romanian Grand Cross of the Order of the Star and Duke Henry also received the Swedish Seraphim Order.

[CyrilSebastian]

Queen Wilhelmina had breakfast with the Lord Mayor in London in March 1943.   
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/537572763

[Principessa]

Interesting:

- for the first time since WWII a Dutch monarch held a speech at the national remembrance (May 4, 2020)
- WA, who held this speech, refered to his great grandmother Wilhelmina, with regard to the Holocaust

"...Maar er is ook die andere realiteit. Medemensen, medeburgers in nood, voelden zich in de steek gelaten, onvoldoende gehoord, onvoldoende gesteund, al was het maar met woorden. Ook vanuit Londen, ook door mijn overgrootmoeder, toch standvastig en fel in haar verzet. Het is iets dat me niet loslaat...."

"...But there is also that other reality. Fellow humans, fellow citizens in need, felt abandoned, heard insufficiently, insufficiently supported, if only in words. Also from London, also through my great-grandmother, yet steadfast and fierce in her resistance. It is something that does not let me go...."

[CyrilSebastian]

Celebrations in The Hague with Queen Wilhelmina: March 15, 1934   
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/537572699

[CyrilSebastian]

Queen Wilhelmina abdicated in her daughter's favor on September 4, 1948 at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. At noon, the the balcony doors of the palace swung open. Wilhelmina presented Juliana to the public as the new Queen.

[Principessa]

Queen Wilhelmina abdicated in her daughter's favor on September 4, 1948 at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. At noon, the the balcony doors of the palace swung open. Wilhelmina presented Juliana to the public as the new Queen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uokcSibdyTM

When entering the balcony the old and new Queen hold hands  


Both the abdication of Wilhelmina and the inauguration of Juliana:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLvDf7zo1ns

[CyrilSebastian]

Wilhelmina's father formally announced her the successor to the throne in 1887. Her brother Prince Alexander had died in 1884.

[Principessa]

Wilhelmina's father formally announced her the successor to the throne in 1887. Her brother Prince Alexander had died in 1884.

There is even a theory that Alexander hadn't died, but was locked away, as a.o. father thought he wasn't suitable to be king.