Christening of Countess Zaria

[Luciana]

Originally Posted by amina1

How come????
do they live in the same house and where, if they both have jobs in different countries

I think since November 2003 Mabel works in London and Friso 2 or 3 days per week works in Delft.

Mabel is International Advocacy Director in Open Society London.

Staff

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by Luciana

I think since November 2003 Mabel works in London and Friso 2 or 3 days per week works in Delft.

Mabel is International Advocacy Director in Open Society London.

Staff

Indeed! She has moved from Brussels to London!
That is new for me. Probably the two kids in London and the mum in Brussels was not such a lucky combination.

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by amina1

How come????
do they live in the same house and where, if they both have jobs in different countries

Prince Friso, Princess Mabel, Countess Luana and Countess Zaria live in London. London is 2 hours by plane to Brussels and to The Hague. So both Prince Friso and Princess Mabel are almost daily flyers.

The Prince already has lived in London for years. He was an associate and later vice-president at the investment bank Goldman Sachs & Co. Before that he worked at McKinsey. In an interview with NRC he stated that he loved London. It gives him the freedom to breath and to be himself, something which is not so possible in the Netherlands.

That is also why Prince Constantijn, Princess Laurentien, Countess Eloise, Count Claus-Casimir and Countess Leonore live outside the Netherlands (Brussels). There they can be more private than in the Netherlands.

[Empress]

I believe that this is the same christening gown that her sister wore at her christening.

[corazon]

Originally Posted by Empress

I believe that this is the same christening gown that her sister wore at her christening.

yes, absolutly is the same gown

[Liah76]

Originally Posted by Empress

I believe that this is the same christening gown that her sister wore at her christening.

Yas, it's the same gown. Mabel loves the ribbons.

[Henri M.]

Indeed it is the same gown as used for Countess Luana.

But even Princess Catharina-Amalia's baptismal gown (also worn by Prince Willem-Alexander in 1967, by Princess Beatrix in 1938, by Princess Juliana in 1909 and by Princess Wilhelmina in 1880 once was a new purchase, of course.



There are different baptismal and presentation-gowns in the Royal House Archives. But probably Princess Mabel wanted a new one.
One thing can be said: this baptismal gown is one of the very few designed by top-haute couturiers (Viktor & Rolf) and unique for its bows.

[carlota]

beautiful photos! zaria is really cute and regal-looking. :)

would love to see pictures of the family in the ceremony...

[amina1]

ok then, I think Mabel looks far from ok for a mother of 2 that takes flights almost daily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Henri M.]

Ach, I thought it all looked like one happy and big family, gathered together for a joyful occassion.

We have to wait for more pictures of the other guests (Princess Máxima, Princess Laurentien, etc.)

[Princess Robijn]

Originally Posted by Henri M.

We have to wait for more pictures of the other guests (Princess Máxima, Princess Laurentien, etc.)

We didn't see them from Countess Luana christening did we?? (can't remember )

[corazon]

Originally Posted by Princess Robijn

We didn't see them from Countess Luana christening did we?? (can't remember )

in the luana's christening were eloise, and many other children, I try to post the link
Foto Joop & Dennis van Tellingen

[ahtikavalentine]

Originally Posted by Princess Robijn

We didn't see them from Countess Luana christening did we?? (can't remember )

Do you mean photos??

[Empress]

Well, it's a bit over the top for my taste, as christening gowns go.

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by Empress

Well, it's a bit over the top for my taste, as christening gowns go.

At least the Orange-Nassaus make use of presentation gowns and christening gowns. And they used the centuries old silver broche of a dove (representing the Holy Spirit). Especially that last, with the knowledge that 300 years ago also a princely baby wore that jewel, is a very beautiful symbolism.

I have seen royal families doing baptisms without even a christening gown at all (Belgium, for an example). Or present them to the world, with simply a woollen suit (most other royal families) while at least in the Netherlands they use a presentation gown from 1880 and a presentation cushion from 1909.

[Danielane]

Originally Posted by Henri M.

At least the Orange-Nassaus make use of presentation gowns and christening gowns. And they used the centuries old silver broche of a dove (representing the Holy Spirit). Especially that last, with the knowledge that 300 years ago also a princely baby wore that jewel, is a very beautiful symbolism.

I have seen royal families doing baptisms without even a christening gown at all (Belgium, for an example). Or present them to the world, with simply a woollen suit (most other royal families) while at least in the Netherlands they use a presentation gown from 1880 and a presentation cushion from 1909.

The purists would say the christening gown (at least for the Catholics) is to be used only once the baby has been baptised: the parents enter in the church with the baby dressed in white but not the gown, and they dress the baby with the christening gown just after the baptism.
That is what has been done for my whole family.

[JessRulz]

Originally Posted by Danielane

The purists would say the christening gown (at least for the Catholics) is to be used only once the baby has been baptised: the parents enter in the church with the baby dressed in white but not the gown, and they dress the baby with the christening gown just after the baptism.
That is what has been done for my whole family.

That is what is done in my family too. I'm not Catholic, but Macedonian Orthodox

I think that it was very thoughtful of Friso & Mabel not to baptise their girls in one set religion, that way the girls won't have to feel pressured into the way the ways of that religion and can choose one they feel is best suiting to their beliefs and personality.

[JessRulz]

Zaria is absolutely adorable!!! And Luana too. I agree with Sister Morphine, Mabel needed to run a brush through her hair before leaving home. Then her ensemble would have looked near perfect!

And one last thing....the bows!! Why Mabel? WHY?!?!

[rominet09]

Good looking children, so cute !

[MoonlightRhapsody]

The christening gown isn't so bad with the bow prints. Now, if it were actual bows..well...

Anyway, I like Mabel's hair. It looks soft and full of volume. I wish my hair would come out looking like that!