Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip to visit The Netherlands Feb 2007

[lucien]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Does anyone have an exact sheduele of this visit? I ould like to know at what time Their Majesties will arrive at the Aglican Church, I might skip classes to have a look

Where were you?We have been on the look-out all the time from 15.00PM till after the arrival,and from after the hot coco and port & bitterballen to the departure?We,not as in pluralis majestatis,but in fellow posters on all the Boards/Forums,really sorry you've missed it obviously.

Royal Images

Courtesy Royalimages.

[Empress]

You know, I wonder what language they speak in. I would imagine that it is not Dutch. But both ladies are acomplished linguists. So I wonder, would it be English, the mother tongue of QEII, and which Queen Beatrix is fluent in, especially after spending a part of her childhood in Canada. Would it be French, which is considered the language diplomatique, and which both are fluent in, or German, again, which both Queens are fluent in. Does anyone know the answer?

[BeatrixFan]

Looking at the footage, it seems that QEII is speaking in English when she meets Queen Beatrix.

[Henri M.]

Absolutely English.

Queen Beatrix speaks wonderful English. Besides her Canadian years there was also a British/Hong Kong-born 'Nurse' for young Princess Beatrix to finetune her English pronouncation.

Queen Beatrix also speaks French indeed (so does Queen Elizabeth as well) but in this particular case, English is almost a native tongue for both lady Sovereigns.

[ysbel]

Originally Posted by Empress

You know, I wonder what language they speak in. I would imagine that it is not Dutch. But both ladies are acomplished linguists. So I wonder, would it be English, the mother tongue of QEII, and which Queen Beatrix is fluent in, especially after spending a part of her childhood in Canada. Would it be French, which is considered the language diplomatique, and which both are fluent in, or German, again, which both Queens are fluent in. Does anyone know the answer?

I knew EII spoke French but German?

[Empress]

Yes, she definitely speaks german. Also, as it is in her family lineage that is not so unusual, but if I am correct QEII speaks six languages I believe. The three above, as well as Latin, and the two others that I can not remember for some reason

[Empress]

Originally Posted by Henri M.

Prince Willem-Alexander addresses Queen Elizabeth as 'Madam, my Aunt'.

Queen Elizabeth will have written on her will-wishes card for Prince Willem-Alexander 'Sir, my Cousin'

There is a fine line in that. When Princess Beatrix became Queen, she remained to say 'Madam, my Aunt' to Queen Elizabeth. After the first official encounter between the two Sovereigns (State Visit 1982), it became 'Madam, my Sister' between the both lady Sovereigns, despite the fact that both ladies know each other their life long.

Hi Henri M. and everyone else

Just a quick note. I think that you might have used the dutch translation of nicht/neef which in dutch means cousin as well as niece or nephew. Just to clarify things for our non dutch speakers, I wanted to point that out (My husband is dutch and I speak the language fluently.) The dutch use the same word for cousin as well as nephew and neice, and in English, we use seperate terms. So in fact, the children of you sibling (brother/sister) are your nieces and nephews, and the relevant children of siblings are cousins. So in this matter, I believe that QEII would say to Willem-Alexander, Sir, my dear nephew.

I hope that clears things up for our other members, although, in dutch your translation was perfectly correct. And thank you for the information.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Empress

Hi Henri M. and everyone else

Just a quick note. I think that you might have used the dutch translation of nicht/neef which in dutch means cousin as well as niece or nephew. Just to clarify things for our non dutch speakers, I wanted to point that out (My husband is dutch and I speak the language fluently.) The dutch use the same word for cousin as well as nephew and neice, and in English, we use seperate terms. So in fact, the children of you sibling (brother/sister) are your nieces and nephews, and the relevant children of siblings are cousins. So in this matter, I believe that QEII would say to Willem-Alexander, Sir, my dear nephew.

Thank you for that explanation, I did wonder why she was calling him her cousin!

[Marengo]

Originally Posted by lucien

Where were you?We have been on the look-out all the time from 15.00PM till after the arrival,and from after the hot coco and port & bitterballen to the departure?We,not as in pluralis majestatis,but in fellow posters on all the Boards/Forums,really sorry you've missed it obviously.

Royal Images

Courtesy Royalimages.

Well, if I knew there would be bitterballen I would have been on the look out all afternoon to! But I didn't get the time sheduele, so i didn't have a clue where to go at what time. Luckily on my way to the gym I decided to take a look at the Amsterdam Historical Museum, judging from the cars they were about to leave, I waited a few minutes and I finally saw them! I felt some sort of strange thrill and the two ladies are much smaller then I imagined.

[Marengo]

Reverend Crowdie of the english church in Amsterdam was interviewed last night on 'Pauw en Witteman'. He apparently stayed at Balmoral this summer for a few days as guests of HM. He also made a sermon in church that sunday. According to him HM told a lot about what she saw of the world and she was very relaxed. It was all rather informal.

[Rebafan81]

Thanks everyone for the pictures, both Queens look lovely. I especally like the color of QEII hat and coat. She should wear that color more often, she looks truely beautiful. It is great to see such affection between the two Queens.

[qui mal y pense]

I think it is very nice that Queen Beatrix went to the airport to meet her. You don't see that often. I also think it is a bit akward how Philip is walking a pace behind the two women. At that age one would think you could dispense with a bit of formality.

[Zonk]

This has truly been a private visit. No additional news or pictures?

[srivishnu]

Originally Posted by Zonk

This has truly been a private visit. No additional news or pictures?

Its not a private visit but a one-day official visit.

[Marengo]

Not completely private indeed, but Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke had a private lunch at Palace Huis ten Bosch with the Queen, the Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima.