Dutch Introductory Visit to the United Kingdom: July 10, 2013

[NGalitzine]

I believe the other "introductory visits" were also simple fly in and fly out affairs. The German visit was longer but it was also different in that it was planned before the abdication and it had an economic component which these other visits have not.
Cannot say I am a fan of these "Introductory Visits". They are introducing themselves to people they already know so I do not see the purpose. At least with a state visit there is usually an economic/political component which is supposed to benefit both nations. I do not see how anyone benefits from these visits.

 

[vkrish]

Exactly. The people or governments are hardly involved in these. Its just like visiting some friends who are an hour flight away.. I didnt follow other visits closely, but the British visit really sucked. How regal it would be for a new King and Queen to be received by the Prince of Wales and escorted to The Queen and DoE for a military salute..I seriously see no purpose of this visit..
I dont think I want Frederik/Philippe/Victoria/Felipe following this tradition. Of course I am damn sure Charles will never have this..

 

[Meraude]

Maybe the "introductory visits" have something to do with royal protocol, that a monarch can't make visits to country that's a monarcy if he/she haven't been introduced to its monarch. Have Willem-Alexander made any visits to his brother since he became king?

 

[vkrish]

Nope..There is no such thing. Moreover, all Heirs to the throne are very well introduced to other heirs and reigning monarchs so there is no need for any fresh introduction.
This is a totally new thing..
There was no official visit of King WA to London to see his brother. But I am sure most European royals fly casually to London once in a while. He must have met him. If not, then shortly Friso will be in Holland, so no probs..

 

[Meraude]

Nope..There is no such thing. Moreover, all Heirs to the throne are very well introduced to other heirs and reigning monarchs so there is no need for any fresh introduction.

Are you so familiar with royal protocol, do remember that most royal protocol usually goes way back in history. It's not about monarchs not knowing eachothers and thus needing a fresh introduction, I was more thinking that the new monarch making a visit to show that he/she (and their country) is friendly and have no belligerent plans Monarchs was once the leaders of the army and if a foreign monarch entered a country without permission it would be seen as a declaration of war.

 

[MARG]

I too was thinking about what value these introductory visits are but then I thought again. How much one on one time has WA spent with QEII over the years? Probably not all that much although the videos of the Queen's private anniversary dinner showed an easy familiarity between QEII and Q Beatrix. So, perhaps these meetings are a private moment to establish an equal footing with others of the same standing.

The surprise get together of all available CP's before WA became King seemed to surprise many. Surprised in that they did not know or had not guessed the depth of the relationships between these particular future Heads of State. I will bet their respective governments are quite aware of these relationships, both those of the Monarchs and their heirs and their potential "political" worth.

 

[carlota]

Nice clip of them 3 together and of QE welcoming WA and Maxima. I found it nice how QE welcomed them in her private apartments seeing this was a less formal visit, and its a nice gesture to show that she likes them. I believe Elizabeth and Beatrix are reasonably close so it's like QE is welcoming them in their new role like an old friend of the family would. I bet they got lots of good tips from her.

 

[Jacknch]

OK, can we clarify that the introductory visits being undertaken by KWA and QM are something that only happens with a new Dutch monarch? Because if that is the case, then I think it is very nice that they do so as a distinct and seperate event from official and state visits, and as such peole should not moan and bleat on about the fact that it isn't a state visit, it's boring, there's not enough video or pictures and QE2 should have done it this way or that way on such and such a room.

These introductory visits are an EXTRA event for us to see on top of and it addition to all the other events! I've never seen one before, don't know how it is arranged or what it's purpose is, but it's NICE, it's DIFFERENT, it's UNUSUAL and moaning minis who don't like them will likely never have to see one ever again!

 

[Lindy]

Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of Queens... she is the monarch that everyone knows on the world stage. It infers a lot for Willem-Alexander and Maxima to be seen with her, a stamp of approval and show of support, as it were, and good publicity. Although I think that W-A is a convincing king in his bearing and demeanor, meeting with QEII gives him more credibility. Monarchies are precarious institutions these days and it is important that they support one another.

 

[Lumutqueen]

Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of Queens... she is the monarch that everyone knows on the world stage. It infers a lot for Willem-Alexander and Maxima to be seen with her, a stamp of approval and show of support, as it were, and good publicity. Although I think that W-A is a convincing king in his bearing and demeanor, meeting with QEII gives him more credibility. Monarchies are precarious institutions these days and it is important that they support one another.

Actually I doubt this is anything more than what it says it is, an introductory visit. Just like the ones WA & Maxima are making to most monarchy's. "Support" from other monarchies won't help if the country wants their monarchy out. Hardly anyone knew about this visit or when it was actually happening.

 

[Izapad]

Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of Queens... she is the monarch that everyone knows on the world stage. It infers a lot for Willem-Alexander and Maxima to be seen with her, a stamp of approval and show of support, as it were, and good publicity. Although I think that W-A is a convincing king in his bearing and demeanor, meeting with QEII gives him more credibility. Monarchies are precarious institutions these days and it is important that they support one another.

@Lindy
It is just protocol that a new king/queen visits neighbour countries and countries with good friendships. Nothing more and notihing less. It has nothing to do with "approval" or "publicity" or "credibility".
How did you come to that?

 

[vkrish]

Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of Queens... she is the monarch that everyone knows on the world stage. It infers a lot for Willem-Alexander and Maxima to be seen with her, a stamp of approval and show of support, as it were, and good publicity. Although I think that W-A is a convincing king in his bearing and demeanor, meeting with QEII gives him more credibility. Monarchies are precarious institutions these days and it is important that they support one another.

Gone are the days when people need Queen's (HMG's) approval to continue in a position. If today anyone's approval is needed, that is Uncle Sam's.

Jokes apart, The Queen's support/approval can be viewed in two ways. One is for the sovereignity of Netherlands, for which The Queen has no choice but to follow the dictates of her government.
Second is personally for WA as monarch. This is no way relevant in Netherlands, as they have shown massive support/approval already and will continue to do so.
So, the reasons you assume do not hold good..

 

[Charlotte_Aster]

Besides, it's not like this is the first Introductory Visit they've been to. They did visit other monarchs and heads of state, you know the ones other than Queen Elizabeth. They do exist, too, lest it's forgotten.

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

I believe the other "introductory visits" were also simple fly in and fly out affairs. The German visit was longer but it was also different in that it was planned before the abdication and it had an economic component which these other visits have not.
Cannot say I am a fan of these "Introductory Visits". They are introducing themselves to people they already know so I do not see the purpose. At least with a state visit there is usually an economic/political component which is supposed to benefit both nations. I do not see how anyone benefits from these visits.

Thank you for the information about the other introductory visits. I've visited the introductory visit to Belgium's thread and that will also be one day long. It seems that a day is the usual length of these visits.