Dutch Royal News

[katymc2]

They have got a new dog?

[Hester]

Gosh everybody in this family is so darn pretty. Maxima is looking a little "Real Housewife-y" in the gown and holding the teeny dog, but it's a very good photo overall. I wonder if those hanging things are decorations or permanent fixtures?

Maxima’s face is looking like Fergie’s. Same surgeon?

[Principessa]

They have got a new dog?

Missed it 

[Principessa]

https://www.nu.nl/konings...en-andere-royals-het.html

Loosely translated as:

Image of the royal family worse due to corona, but how are other royals doing?

In times of crisis, the royal family is even more visible than usual. But every mistake its members make is magnified, and King Willem-Alexander and his family know this all too well. Is there actually just as much blundering by foreign colleagues?

"We cannot stop the coronavirus, but the loneliness virus can." These words were spoken by Willem-Alexander in a speech addressed to the Dutch public just after the start of the corona pandemic.

According to Wim Dehandschieter, royalty reporter at the Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, it was a "strong speech", which was also appreciated by the Dutch public. "In addition, Willem-Alexander also used his position to do good business: he arranged respirators for hospitals and many visits were made to institutions."

But then some clumsy 'corona blunders' were made. During their summer vacation in Greece, a photo leaked in which Willem-Alexander and Máxima did not keep their distance from a restaurant owner who wanted to take a picture with them. The public was outraged: if we keep our distance, then they should too.

It didn't stop with this embarrassment. Prime Minister Mark Rutte had just warned the Dutch people not to make unnecessary foreign trips, when it became clear that the government plane had flown to Greece for a pleasure trip. Willem-Alexander and Máxima flew back the day after and expressed their regret in a video statement.


'Belgian royal family seeks out the weak'
This year things went wrong again when the king visited a neighborhood in The Hague and did not keep his distance, and even shook hands with local residents. And in December there was another commotion: on behalf of the king, Rutte announced that Amalia's birthday party had more people on the guest list than was advised.

It did little good for the image of the king. In 2020, 76 percent still had confidence in him, more than six months later this had dropped to 47 percent, according to a poll by research agency Ipsos.

How different it is in our neighboring country Belgium. There, the dubious image of King Philippe has been boosted enormously in the past 21 months, says Dehandschieter. "Filip's great presence and involvement during the corona crisis strengthened his prestige, who was also helped by his wife. In addition, they adhered to the rules and committed themselves to all kinds of things."

For example, they visited hospitals, vaccination centers and laboratories and video calls were made with experts, because they wanted to be informed about what is going on. Their children were also involved and called hundreds of seniors to encourage them.

"It is typical that they look for the weaker and express their support for that," says Dehandschieter. "They really looked for who is having a hard time in this crisis and responded to that. That shows enormous commitment. That also happened in the Netherlands, but that has been overshadowed by the blunders. Then the positive things can suddenly disappear within one minute."


Elizabeth doesn't want to take any risk
The image of Willem-Alexander was damaged during the corona crisis, that of Filip has actually improved. What about Britain's Queen Elizabeth, who also lost her husband Philip this year?

"The 'Queen' is extremely popular and that has not changed," said Anne Saenen, RTL correspondent for the United Kingdom. "People really see her as a rock in the surf. For example, the British people send her letters to thank or support her. She appreciates that enormously, she especially likes mail from children."

The 95-year-old British queen is elderly, falls into the risk group and so the people fully understand that unlike her foreign colleagues, she has rarely appeared in the public eye.

"They want to minimize the chance that she will get corona, so she has been very careful. During the first lockdowns, she holed up with Philip in Windsor Castle and saw absolutely no friends and family. Meetings took place online and that is happening. Elizabeth is nice, she wants to keep video calling after the pandemic."

Son Charles and grandson William and his wife Catherine helped Elizabeth. They visited hospitals, took part in online meetings and helped convince the British people to get a vaccination. For example, a photo was shared of the moment William received his shot. "That they do that is striking, because it is an extension of a political statement and you usually do not see the British family do that," Saenen says.

Less protocol, more blunders
According to the royalty expert, there has also been no criticism from the media about how the British royal family has dealt with the corona virus and the measures. "The royals here are also different from the Dutch. Putting an arm around someone doesn't happen anyway," says Saenen.

"The friendship of Willem-Alexander, which expresses itself, for example, in cordial greetings and taking selfies, does not fit with the protocol of the British royal family. They are in photos with their hands folded in front of them. I think that is also the reason why Willem-Alexander Alexander and the family have blundered more often: they are looser in their behavior and the protocol is much less strict."

According to Blue Bloods reporter Jeroen Snel, the king's blunder can still have major consequences. "They shouldn't do this," he told Beau shortly after the news about Amalia's party.

"They have to be careful. Because it can end very badly for the monarchy if the scandals keep piling up."

[Miss Marple]

I don't think it is the difference in protocol - it is the different in judgement. The Dutch Royal family came accross like a heap of upper class guys who could not stick to the simplest of rules or felt they were not for them - not once, but several times.

[Kristallinchen]

Sorry, but these are lame excuses.

So you need protocol to tell you not to make a trip to Greece or to through a birthday party, while the country is in distress, economy is falling and people are dying?

Mind you. I thought this was common sense.

[Principessa]

Video message of WA about the Gouden Koets ( = Golden carriage):

https://nos.nl/index.php/...t-voorlopig-niet-gebruikt

In de link above you can find the video.

Loose translation of the text in the article itself:


......The Golden Coach is no longer used by the Royal House for the driving tour on Prinsjesdag or other official occasions. King Willem-Alexander announced this in a video message today.

"We cannot rewrite the past. We can try to come to terms with it together. That also applies to the colonial past. The Golden Coach will only be able to drive again when the Netherlands is ready for it. And that is not the case now says the king.

"There is no point in condemning and disqualifying what has happened through the lens of our time. Simply banning historical objects and symbols is certainly not a solution either. Instead, a concerted effort is needed that goes deeper and lasts longer. An effort that unites us rather than divides us.".....

[getafix]

Sorry, but these are lame excuses.

So you need protocol to tell you not to make a trip to Greece or to through a birthday party, while the country is in distress, economy is falling and people are dying?

Mind you. I thought this was common sense.

 

G

[Principessa]

According to the Facebook page 'Koninklijk Huis' (and their Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com...&utm_campaign=loading


Twintig jaar geleden, op 22 februari 2002, werd Vidal geboren. In 2008 kwam hij bij het Koninklijk Staldepartement, een van de weinige schimmels tussen alle zwarte koetspaarden. Hij kreeg daar - volgens traditie - een nieuwe naam die met de letter M moest beginnen. Prinses Beatrix gaf hem toen de naam Mitch!

Mitch ging bij het Staldepartement aan het werk als rijpaard voor de Stalmeester en lespaard voor de nieuwe adjudanten van de Koning. Prinses Amalia heeft haar eerste springwedstrijden op Mitch gereden.

Vanaf 2012 was Mitch ook te zien tijdens Prinsjesdag waar kolonel Bert Wassenaar, Stalmeester van Z.M. de Koning en commandant van de Koninklijke Stoet op hem reed. Traditiegetrouw rijdt de commandant van de stoet op een wit paard, zodat hij goed opvalt.

Inmiddels is de stalmeester gepensioneerd en gaat Mitch ook met pensioen!
Bert Wassenaar brengt Mitch naar Stichting De Paardenkamp waar hij samen met vele andere paarden en pony’s van zijn oude dag mag gaan genieten!

Video: RVD

Loosely translated as:

Twenty years ago, on February 22, 2002, Vidal was born. In 2008 he joined the Royal Stable Department, one of the few grays among all black carriage horses. There he got - according to tradition - a new name that had to start with the letter M. Princess Beatrix then gave him the name Mitch!

Mitch went to work at the Stable Department as a riding horse for the Stable Master and training horse for the new adjutants of the King. Princess Amalia has ridden her first show jumping competitions on Mitch.

From 2012, Mitch could also be seen during Prinsjesdag, where Colonel Bert Wassenaar, Stalmeester of H.M. de Koning and commander of the Royal Procession rode on him. Traditionally, the commander of the procession rides a white horse, so that he stands out.

The equerry is now retired and Mitch is also retiring!
Bert Wassenaar brings Mitch to the De Paardenkamp Foundation where he can enjoy his old age together with many other horses and ponies!

Video: RVD

[Principessa]

https://nos.nl/artikel/24...menten-in-zomer-en-winter


Loosely translated as:

Royal photo sessions no longer at fixed moments in summer and winter

The traditional photo shoots of the royal family will no longer take place at two fixed times of the year. The Government Information Service confirms this after reporting from RTL Boulevard. The reason for this decision is that the family only wants to pose for press photographers if all family members can be present.

The photo sessions have so far been organized at two fixed times of the year: at the end of the summer holidays and during the family's winter sports holiday in Lech, Austria. Traditionally, the photos show all members of the royal family: King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and the princesses Amalia, Alexia and Ariane.

But this year Alexia can't attend the photo shoot in Lech, because of her studies in Wales. The royal family then decided to no longer do the photo sessions at two fixed moments, but at different times. Press photos of the family will still be taken twice a year.

Last year, the photo session in Lech was also cancelled: the royal family was unable to travel to Austria due to the corona rules in force at the time.


https://www.nu.nl/konings...-foto-met-hele-gezin.html


Loosely translated as:


Photo session in Lech deleted: Oranges only take a picture with the whole family

The annual photo session with the royal family during the winter sports holiday in Lech is canceled again this year. This time, this has not only to do with the coronavirus, but also with the fact that the family is not going on holiday completely.

After reporting from RTL Boulevard to NU.nl, the Government Information Service reports that the photo sessions will no longer take place at the known moments, but only when the whole family is together.

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and their three daughters traditionally pose for the press during their skiing holiday, but this year not the whole family can be present. Princess Alexia is currently attending school in Wales and Princess Amalia is doing an internship abroad. That is why the royal couple only goes on holiday with Princess Ariane.

The RVD says that there is still the intention to organize a photo session twice a year. However, these sessions will no longer take place at the fixed times, but will be scheduled on occasions when the whole family is together.

Children no longer all go on holiday
Because the children no longer all go on holiday, the photo opportunities are no longer organized around the holidays.

Normally the photo sessions took place in February in Lech and prior to the summer holidays in the garden of Huis ten Bosch Palace. It is not yet known when the family will appear in front of the cameras of the press again.

[Principessa]

https://www.nu.nl/konings...elijkere-dienstautos.html


Máxima and Beatrix get more environmentally friendly official cars

The Royal House has replaced the official cars of Queen Máxima and Princess Beatrix with more environmentally friendly ones. Both are now transported in an extended hybrid of the Audi brand, the Government Information Service announced on Monday.

According to the court, the majority of the vehicle fleet now consists of hybrid or fully electric cars. The royal family thus contributes to combating climate change.

King Willem-Alexander called in his Christmas speech that we should do something about this together. "What I see is the willingness of many people - young and old - to help solve problems that affect us all," the king said.

"Such as the corona pandemic. But also climate change, which we have created ourselves and of which we are now experiencing the consequences. Do something about it together. Opt for a beckoning perspective, for a joint venture to protect our lives on earth. That too can be part of our story."

[Aubiette]

CoutureAndRoyals
@CoutureRoyals

🚨#NEWS🚨 King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and former Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands will attend the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on March 29th at Westminster Abbey

[Gemsheal]

CoutureAndRoyals
@CoutureRoyals

🚨#NEWS🚨 King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and former Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands will attend the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on March 29th at Westminster Abbey

Oh wow that's nice, and very respectful ...    Have any other crowned heads announced a plan to attend the service? 

[ralf103]

The King and Queen of Sweden have confirmed their attendance as well.

[Principessa]

https://nos.nl/artikel/24...het-oude-loo-in-apeldoorn


Loosely translated as:

Royal House receives Ukrainians in castle Het Oude Loo in Apeldoorn

Following the example of the Belgian royal family, King Willem-Alexander will receive Ukrainian refugees in real estate that is part of the royal domain. They will be housed in Het Oude Loo castle in Apeldoorn, according to the Government Information Service (RVD). The Oude Loo is located near Paleis Het Loo, which has been a museum since 1984.

The Oude Loo is a 15th-century hunting lodge owned by the Dutch State and rented by the House of Orange, who still regularly use it for family gatherings.

According to the RVD, six to eight families, about twenty to thirty people, can use Het Oude Loo. They can move in mid-April.

The appointment for the reception was made on behalf of the king, the RVD writes. It concerns an agreement between the Royal House, the Central Government Real Estate Agency, the COA, the security region and the municipality of Apeldoorn.

Big task
Our country is currently hosting more than 12,000 Ukrainian refugees, and it is expected that there will be many more. All 25 Security Regions have been instructed to create a thousand reception places each, and soon another thousand.

This could accommodate 50,000 people, but the question is whether that will work. President Bruls of the Security Council spoke today of "a major task".

Japanese Crown Prince
In 2006 the then Japanese crown prince Nahurito and his wife Masako lived for a while in Het Oude Loo castle. Masako was overwrought and suffered greatly from the strict etiquette at the Japanese court.

King Philippe of Belgium announced last week that he will host three Ukrainian families in buildings belonging to the Koninklijke Donking, an organization that makes properties available to members of the Belgian royal family.

The British royal family is also thinking about housing Ukrainian refugees.


Castle Het Oude Loo: