Willem-Alexander & Máxima - News & Events 2024

[Hester]

Yes irrelevant is definitely not the right word. But I can also sense that she has lost some of her 'shine'. She has a great work-ethic but there is something off about her smiles and the bling-bling. To me this makes sense after the things that happened in her family. Also, empty-nest syndrome is a thing and I guess she is still adjusting to no longer having the kids around every day.

And then there is also the fast changing world. For example, a while back she said in one of her speeches that she finds it important that her daughters have to save up their money if they want to buy something expensive. A few years ago, people would found this cute because it seemed relatable. But in 2024 such a comment is tone deaf, especially considering how Amalia lived in one of Madrid's most exclusive areas etc.

I think she will find her groove again but sometimes I fear palace staff are not doing their jobs properly.

Perhaps “unimpressive”?

[bumbershoot]

I could go with ``unimpressive.''  Max and WA  seem so shallow and self-absorbed and exceedingly self-indulgent. That is in dramatic contrast to most of the Dutch people I know. Makes me long for the days of Oma Trixie.

[getafix]

I think its certainly true that a press that isn't too curious or critical doesn't help in the long run - look at Spain, Belgium and to a degree the UK where the media are quite critical of the RF and quickly pick up on mistakes - even just perceived ones. It means the RFs look at everything through the eyes of "if the media find out..." and become accustomed to putting duty before personal enjoyment or personal benefit.

WA and Max IMO seem to think they should be perfectly entitled to live the life of billionaires but at public expense as if its some divine right. Their actions in Covid spoke volumes - in their eyes they were perfectly entitled to go on holiday at the same time the Prime Minister was telling people they shouldn't because technically it wasn't illegal. They don't understand the notion that the sovereign and their family should act to a higher standard and set a good example.

Beatrix certainly seemed much more professional and, like many of her generation, with a greater sense of duty. She - and her contemporaries also seemed to accept that they could enjoy very privileged lives so long as they were discreet and not ostentatious. Take for example QE2 - Balmoral and Sandringham are indeed a luxury in that they are stately homes beyond most people's wildest dreams and take a lot of cash to maintain - yet it was perceived as much less luxurious than if she's chartered a superyacht and sailed around the Med for 6 weeks over the summer. Similarly - Beatrix had her Italian holiday home that was a luxury but was always used discreetly and seemed much less ostentatious than the way WA & Max use their Greek house.

oh I didn't know they had a holiday home there...I thought they had one in Africa...was it Nimibia?

G

[Principessa]

I think its certainly true that a press that isn't too curious or critical doesn't help in the long run - look at Spain, Belgium and to a degree the UK where the media are quite critical of the RF and quickly pick up on mistakes - even just perceived ones. It means the RFs look at everything through the eyes of "if the media find out..." and become accustomed to putting duty before personal enjoyment or personal benefit.

WA and Max IMO seem to think they should be perfectly entitled to live the life of billionaires but at public expense as if its some divine right. Their actions in Covid spoke volumes - in their eyes they were perfectly entitled to go on holiday at the same time the Prime Minister was telling people they shouldn't because technically it wasn't illegal. They don't understand the notion that the sovereign and their family should act to a higher standard and set a good example.

Beatrix certainly seemed much more professional and, like many of her generation, with a greater sense of duty. She - and her contemporaries also seemed to accept that they could enjoy very privileged lives so long as they were discreet and not ostentatious. Take for example QE2 - Balmoral and Sandringham are indeed a luxury in that they are stately homes beyond most people's wildest dreams and take a lot of cash to maintain - yet it was perceived as much less luxurious than if she's chartered a superyacht and sailed around the Med for 6 weeks over the summer. Similarly - Beatrix had her Italian holiday home that was a luxury but was always used discreetly and seemed much less ostentatious than the way WA & Max use their Greek house.

oh I didn't know they had a holiday home there...I thought they had one in Africa...was it Nimibia?

G

Mozambique

But there was a lot of critique on that one

[Principessa]

Edit, wrong thread

[lyndell75]

The regional visit to Walcheren is concluded on the Zeeland coast.
In a beach pavilion in Domburg, the Royal Couple talks about the challenges surrounding maintaining the scenic and ecological quality of the coast and the attraction of the Zeeland beaches on tourism and the consequences of this on livability.
Due to climate change, the demand for fresh water is increasing. Because Zeeland is surrounded by salt water, there are too few natural freshwater sources in Zeeland. In Serooskerke, a freshwater basin has been built that farmers can use in dry periods to water their crops.
https://x.com/koninklijkhuis

[Butterbean]

Th outfit would be nice for the Ascot

[Principessa]

It is a recycled outfit. But to me Max seems to be 'overdressed' for the event.

BTW short before the visit there were comments that some Zeeland farmers were firmly requested not to fertilize their land during the day of the visit. Quickly some people back paddled

[Máxima]

Máxima, WA and the girls are in Buenos Aires to celebrate Maxima's mother 80th birthday
https://www.lanacion.com....urante-de-la-nid06092024/

[Gemsheal]

The regional visit to Walcheren is concluded on the Zeeland coast.
In a beach pavilion in Domburg, the Royal Couple talks about the challenges surrounding maintaining the scenic and ecological quality of the coast and the attraction of the Zeeland beaches on tourism and the consequences of this on livability.
Due to climate change, the demand for fresh water is increasing. Because Zeeland is surrounded by salt water, there are too few natural freshwater sources in Zeeland. In Serooskerke, a freshwater basin has been built that farmers can use in dry periods to water their crops.
https://x.com/koninklijkhuis

Maxima looks ridiculously over dressed plus ridiculously dressed.  It sounds like this is a serious issue but look at her "looker me".  Especially when seated with others who are plainly but appropriately dressed.  She sticks out like a chewed-on thumb in all that ragged blue lace.

I read she has on new earrings and brooch made of a milky blue cabochon stone with gold & diamonds, as well. 

Not saying she has to wear sackcloth & ashes, but a plainer dress and sensible shoes wouldn't hurt.

[lyndell75]

In an army vehicle, the Royal Couple follows the route that the Allies also made 80 years ago, from border post 35 in Belgium to Mesch. In Mesch, the commemorative year starts with the lighting of the freedom fire. After the ceremony, King William-Alexander and Queen Máxima take a walk through the village and speak eyewitnesses to the liberation.
https://x.com/koninklijkhuis

[Principessa]

Also see 'Dutch Royal News'

https://nos.nl/artikel/25...-start-in-limburgse-mesch

Loosely translated as:

NOS News

Today, 16:49

Celebration of 80 years of liberation in the Netherlands starts in Limburg Mesch

In Mesch in South Limburg, the start of the liberation of the Netherlands was commemorated. At the ceremony in the village, in the presence of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, there were performances and stories were told about how the liberation in the Netherlands began.

There were speeches by Limburg governor Emile Roemer, mayor Alain Krijnen and Derrick Deetz, the second cousin of the first American soldier killed on Dutch soil.

Deetz praised the ties between the Netherlands and the US and the role the Netherlands played in the history of the United States. "Our countries have been connected in freedom for 400 years." This was followed by a procession of American vehicles that rolled through the village just like 80 years ago.

Remembrance year
On this day in 1944, the village was the first in the Netherlands to be liberated by the 30th division of the 117th regiment of the American army. The liberators landed on the beaches of Normandy three months earlier during D-Day. From Mesch, the Allies advanced further into occupied territory, including Operation Market Garden, which began on September 17, 1944.

The ceremony in Mesch is the starting signal for the remembrance year throughout the country. In the coming months, the liberation will be commemorated in the run-up to August 15, 2025. That will be 80 years since the Second World War ended.

Tonight at 7:00 PM, the program 80 years of liberation can be seen on NPO 2.

[Hester]

The regional visit to Walcheren is concluded on the Zeeland coast.
In a beach pavilion in Domburg, the Royal Couple talks about the challenges surrounding maintaining the scenic and ecological quality of the coast and the attraction of the Zeeland beaches on tourism and the consequences of this on livability.
Due to climate change, the demand for fresh water is increasing. Because Zeeland is surrounded by salt water, there are too few natural freshwater sources in Zeeland. In Serooskerke, a freshwater basin has been built that farmers can use in dry periods to water their crops.
https://x.com/koninklijkhuis

Maxima looks ridiculously over dressed plus ridiculously dressed.  It sounds like this is a serious issue but look at her "looker me".  Especially when seated with others who are plainly but appropriately dressed.  She sticks out like a chewed-on thumb in all that ragged blue lace.

I read she has on new earrings and brooch made of a milky blue cabochon stone with gold & diamonds, as well. 

Not saying she has to wear sackcloth & ashes, but a plainer dress and sensible shoes wouldn't hurt.

I agree - Max looks ridiculous.

[Principessa]

https://www.koninklijkhui...ngen-in-zuidoosten-spanje


Response from King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima following severe weather and flooding in southeastern Spain

News item | 31-10-2024 | 08:30

"Our hearts go out to all those affected by the severe weather in and around Valencia. We share the sorrow for the victims. In these days of fear and desperation, we sympathize with the Spanish people, with whom we feel so connected." - Queen Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima

[bumbershoot]

I am getting tired of seeing Maxima always so overdressed. She’s just so extra first I was thinking it’s just being the Argentinian butterfly in a sea of sober sided Dutch folks, but it’s just too much in my eyes get tired of it.