Prince Bernhard Passes Away: 1 December 2004

[pdas1201]

The Dutch Royal Family leaving Soestdijk Palace in the Netherlands. Prince Bernhard was brought here after he died on Wednesday, December 1, 2004.

 

[sara1981]

i got news from BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4060449.stm

Netherlands Prince Bernard dies

Dutch Prince Bernard, one of the most popular figures in the Royal Family, has died at age of 93.

Bernard, the father of the Netherlands's sitting monarch, Queen Beatrix, has suffering from Cancer.

He died late on Wednesday after being moved to the Utrecht University Medical Hospital when his condition worsened.

The German-born Prince, who become the Consort of the late Queen Juliana, was a pilot with the allied forces fighting against Germany in World War 2.

The Royal House said that, in accordance with his wishes, no efforts had been made to revive the Prince.

Bernhard's service during war and his help rebuliding the nation after the Nazi occupation earned him the respect of his adopted country.

Dapper Image

"Prince Bernard was a man who enjoyed life, a vital man who remained active until a very old age," Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said in a nationally televised address.

"He devoted himself to issues and people close to his heart."

But Prince Bernhard's image suffered in 1976, when he accepted the findings of a Dutch parliamentary comminson that he had received improper commissions from US aircraft manufacturer, Lockheed.

Beyhond his country he seen as a jet-setting and charismatic ambrassador for the Dutch during post-war reconstruction.

In 1961 he helped create the World Wildlife Fund, becoming its first president.

He is also credited with founding the Bilderberg group - a secretive annual discussion forum for prominent politicians and thinkers.

Queen Juliana, who abdicated in favour of her daughter in 1980, died in March this year.

 

[monaco70s]

My condolences go to the Dutch Royal Family and the people close to Prince Bernhard.

It's sad loosing a loved one, but the only thing that can confort his family is that he's not in pain anymore.

I think it would have been great if Prince Claus, Queen Juliana, and Prince Bernhard would have had the chance to be alive in 2005 to celebrate Queen Beatrix's 25th year on the throne.

 

[sara1981]

Netherlands Prince Bernard dies

I found out on BBC news about Prince Bernard died he was 93 years old.

sympathy going to HM Queen Beatrix

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4060449.stm

Sara Boyce

 

[Tina]

some german reports:

http://www.welt.de/data/2004/12/02/368813.html

"Prinz Bernhard verzichtete auf lebensverlängernde Maßnahmen" - Die Welt

_______________

http://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/artikel/13/43969/

"Prinz Bernhard im Alter von 93 Jahren gestorben" - Sueddeutsche

________________

http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/0,1518,330545,00.html

"Prinz Bernhard ist tot" - Der Spiegel

________________

http://morgenpost.berlin1.de/content/2004/12/02/titel/719747.html

"Trauer um Prinz Bernhard" - Berliner Morgenpost

________________

here are some more:

http://news.google.de/nwshp?hl=de&gl=de&ncl=http://www.welt.de/data/2004/12/02/368813.html

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Yes,i also think that,it will be so sad before the beggining of the anniverarry of Queen Beatrix's reign.Very sorry for Queen Beatrix.

 

[Dennism]

Another article from the BBC:

As consort to former Dutch Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, Prince Bernhard was a popular figure, despite his involvement in the infamous Lockheed bribery scandal of the mid-1970s.

Prince Bernhard of Lippe Biesterfeld was German by birth, but became a naturalised Dutchman shortly before his marriage, in 1937, to the heir to the Dutch throne.

The young German was introduced to his future wife during 1935, before the romance reportedly developed on skiing jaunts to Switzerland.

When the Nazis tried to make political capital from the wedding, Queen Wilhelmina asserted, "This is the marriage of my daughter to the man she loves...not the marriage of the Netherlands to Germany."

Under scrutiny

When the Germans invaded the Low Countries in 1940, Prince Bernhard escorted the Royal Family to safety in England, but returned himself to serve with what remained of the Dutch army.

And during the closing phase of the war, the prince returned to Europe to organise the Dutch forces of resistance and prepare the way for the Canadian liberators.

When Princess Juliana succeeded to the throne in 1948, Bernhard played his part in the public life of his adopted nation, promoting Dutch trade and industry, especially abroad.

As inspector-general to the Dutch armed forces, he was a member of various services advisory councils.

Early in 1976, this side of his activities came under scrutiny after evidence was given to a United States Senate sub-committee that a "high Dutch official" had received bribes from the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in connection with the sale of military aircraft to Holland 15 years earlier.

'Open to dishonourable requests'

A subsequent Dutch government inquiry found that the Prince had acted "in a completely unacceptable manner" in his relations with Lockheed.

He had shown himself to be open to dishonourable requests and offers, and had allowed himself to be tempted to take initiatives which were bound to place him and Dutch policy in a dubious light.

To avoid a constitutional crisis after Queen Juliana had threatened to abdicate as a result of the findings, Prince Bernhard faced no criminal proceedings.

In the wake of the scandal, Prince Bernhard resigned from all his armed forces functions, and also gave up most of his business activities. Even so, Dutch exporters selected him for their 1977 man-of-the-year award.

In the meantime, the Prince had established a reputation as an accomplished horseman, and often competed in riding and jumping events at international shows.

Bilderberg conference

Best known outside his country for his becoming the first president of the World Wildlife Fund in 1961, Bernhard raised $10m in two years by running a club subscription scheme among his friends.

His work for the organisation continued, after the Lockheed scandal forced his resignation from the presidency.

The prince was also instrumental in setting up the annual Bilderberg conference, named after the Bilderberg Hotel in Oosterbeek, Holland.

The conference was designed for high-powered policy makers to have "regular discussions to help create a better understanding of the complex forces affecting western nations".

It is credited with prompting the establishment of the European Community.

A lifelong fan of fast cars, for his 88th birthday, Prince Bernhard bought himself a present of a 200 mph Ferrari, despite the fact that his age and infirmity precluded him from driving it himself.

 

[GrandDuchess]

As a Knight of the Royal Swedish Order of the Seraphim, Prince Bernhard's shield has or will be mounted in the Riddarholmskyrkan. The traditional Seraphim toll from the belltower of the church will also take place on the day of the funeral. The Royal Court has also announced that the flag at the Royal Palace of Stockholm will be flying at half mast in the day of the funeral.

 

[The Watcher]

Funeral is: Saturday 11 december. Of course in Delft, like Claus and Juliana.

 

[The Watcher]

It seems Prince Bernhard wished a military funeral. He will wear the uniform of General of the Dutch Royal Air Force. The Royal Hearse will not be used, instead that the Prince will be carried on a gun-carriage.

The Prince is not embalmed, that was his wish.

 

[Lyonnaise]

Veterans and the public pay their respects at the gates of Palace Soestdijk, in Soest, 35 kilometers east of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Thursday Dec. 2, 2004, after it was announced that Prince Bernhard had passed away. Bernhard suffered from a cancerous tumor in his lungs. Bernhards wife, the former Queen Juliana, died earlier this year.

 

[Marengo]

The city of Delft is already worried about these veterans. They expect that a large number of them will turn up in Delft when their 'hero' is burried and it is cold here....
I realy feel for these veterans, they adored the prince (and he adored them), moving to see when, during a parade on liberationday these old man got out of their wheelchairs etc to 'march' in front of the prince and after that they went back into the weelchairs again. They always stood by him, and he did what he could to help them (it went a little like this: a veteran called Soestdijk Palace if he had a problem, for example, he did not get orthopedic shoes from the state which he needed because of the wounds he had during the war, the Prince called the Minister... and the minister arranged it -no doubt, after a fierce rebuke of the prince)

 

[ElisaR]

I am sad for his death, although I didn't really know him well.

I would only like remind you all that he had been one of the founders of WWF-World Wild Fund for Nature (of which I am a member). He was the first President of the organisation, from 1961 to 1976.

(Link: http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/who_we_are/offices/presidents.cfm )


He was also president of FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports) from 1954 to 1964. (Link: http://62.2.231.126/FEI/fei_show_news.lasso?vID=599 )


A man who worked a lot.

 

[susan alicia]

He is going to be buried with his favorite flower, a white carnation, in his hands

 

[xxLindaxx]

From the BRMB:
HRH Prince Bernhard has left Soestdijk Palace
for the very last time.


HM the Queen and Her sisters Princesses Irene,
Margriet and Christina,as well as Mr.Pieter van Vollenhoven, most of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren have bit an emotional farewell from the Palace steps as the Princes coffin was driven to the front.

Except for Princess Christina's sons,Bernardo and Nicholas,who'll fly in later this week from the
States,all grandchildren and their spouses were
present,as well as Princess Amalia and Countess
Eloise.HRH was deeply loved by all of his Family
as was clearly shown by their emotions.Little
Countess Eloise waved goodbye.

All members of the Royal Household were lined up
to salute as well as 200 hundred veterans and 200
scouts.

HM,Her sisters and son in law Mr.Pieter accompany HRH at this moment to Noordeinde Palace.

After the Prince left the Palace grounds,the Princes Standard was lowered for the last time,and at that moment the Soestdijk Palace has ceased to be a Royal Residence as it is considered a Government building as of now.

Instead of the Standard the National flag is at half mast.



first pic:

 

[xxLindaxx]

Link for live broadcast:

http://www.omroep.nl/themakanaal/player/nosjournaal24.html?bbview=1

 

[The Watcher]

Prince Bernhard leaves Palace Soestdijk for the last time.

First pictures

 

[purple_platinum]

i'm sorry to ask this, but who's the lady with long hair standing beside Princess Maxima?

 

[Duchess Sophie]

It is Juliana Guillermo

 

[The Watcher]

More pictures of today

 

[The Watcher]

And more pictures

 

[The Watcher]

More pictures from www.anp-photo.com

 

[Alexandria]

Thanks for the pictures The Watcher.

I am really touched and moved by how visibly upset Maxima was in the one picture standing next to Juliana Guillermo; and also Maurits, Marilene and Pieter-Christiaan, where Maurits is waving goodbye.

 

[xxLindaxx]

more pics:
http://www.royalimages.nl/theme/theme.asp?themeid=449

 

[The Watcher]

And also some Polfoto-pictures, with very sad Q. Beatrix

 

[Gabriella]

Those pictures of Queen Beatrix really just make my heart break. That is one thing I have always admired about her. Even when she is so obviously devastated, she always wears her heart on her sleeve.

 

[sara1981]

its makes me cry i hates that my brat brother interruption my mother dont know who he is! and i told her about Queen Mother of Dutch died this years but my mother never knew about both! oh poor Queen Beatrix.

Sara Boyce

 

[pdas1201]

OMG, even I couldn't stop my tears looking at these pics... May God give them the strength to get thru this tough time..
I was also touched by the pic where Maxima is crying...she must have been close to Prince Bernhard.

 

[xxLindaxx]

More pictures:
http://fotosmulders.com/

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Very sorry for The Dutch Royals.They have lost their beloved mother,father,grandmother,grandfather,....Juliana and Bernard.Wish Prince Bernard in rest.