State Visit from The King and Queen of The Netherlands: October 23-24, 2018

[Mbruno]

Queen Maxima comments about the Stuart diamond, which was bought in 1690 by Mary Stuart so it is one of the connections between the UK and the Netherlands. This was a good occasion to wear the diamond and the tiara. She hopes to wear it more often in the future, she did it with a lot of pride yesterday. Note that she talked in plural, pointing to her husband as well (as if he also wore the stone ).

Was it an unintentional grammar mistake (typical of a non-native speaker), or did she actually want to convey a specific message ?

 

[Marengo]

I don't think it was a mistake, she repeated it several times and looked at her husband, as if it was a mutual decision to wear the stone now. I suspect she is afraid that newspapers and magazines will blame her of frivolity to wear it, hence also the emphasis on the historical meaning of the piece. I saw a newspaper headline that said that the queen was wearing millions worth in diamonds, which is the kind of headline the RF prefers to avoid. It is no coincidence that they have never opened the royal vault yet so their jewels can feature in books related to royal jewelry.

Embarrassment of the Riches is a book that the NY prof. Simon Schama wrote about our country, which may be a factor in the above. In the past the society ladies in The Hague would put charcoal over their diamonds so they would stand out less.

 

[wartenberg7]

That's interesting, Royal Norway.

Wonder why?
Because they are busy covering the more "sexy" younger members of the BRF? I.e. H&M and W&K?
Because the networks believe the British public are not interested in foreign royals?
Or is there a good deal of Brexit-considerations in it? I.e. everything from Continental Europe is "bad" these days? - Which would be interesting considering the close ties between the Netherlands and Britain and that Britain need every friend within the EU they have.

After all this involves the head of state and most of the senior BRF members. And last I checked QEII is still pretty popular in the general public.
So, admittedly I'm a little surprised.

I agree. And the point, small country = little coverage, makes no sense at all. Diplomatically every country is as important as another one.

I remember when the spanish King and Queen went to the UK last year, almost everything was covered, even life: the arrival, the speech in front of the british parliament, the state banquet.
And I don´t think Felipe and Letizia are somewhat "more important" nor more interesting than their dutch counterparts....!

All in all this state visit, apart from the state banquet, was a bit of a disappointment to me - just as I have unfortunately foreseen it. State visits, and on top of that, purely royal ones, are not that often. So I regard this as a missed opportunity for many years, when it comes to british/ dutch diplomacy and the relationship of the two royal houses!


The Houses of Parliament engagement/ speech:

 

[camelot23ca]

I agree. And the point, small country = little coverage, makes no sense at all. Diplomatically every country is as important as another one.

I remember when the spanish King and Queen went to the UK last year, almost everything was covered, even life: the arrival, the speech in front of the british parliament, the state banquet.
And I don´t think Felipe and Letizia are somewhat "more important" nor more interesting than their dutch counterparts....!

All in all this state visit, apart from the state banquet, was a bit of a disappointment to me - just as I have unfortunately foreseen it. State visits, and on top of that, purely royal ones, are not that often. So I regard this as a missed opportunity for many years, when it comes to british/ dutch diplomacy and the relationship of the two royal houses!


The Houses of Parliament engagement/ speech:

I think the reason the British coverage of the visit was poor is obviously that it conflicted with the first overseas tour of a young, (or at least youngish), royal couple. If there hadn’t been anything else going on, and also if the visit had been lengthier, I think we would have seen much more coverage from the British press.

I’m glad the Dutch coverage was better because WA and Maxima really shone. Both of them dignified but at ease, and Maxima her usual cheerful self. They spoke very well at the end of the visit, addressing issues of substance but also knowing what NOT to say. They make a stellar team and did very good work for their country!

 

[maria-olivia]

Stunning State Visit of the 2 richiest Monarchies in Europe . Well done !

 

[An Ard Ri]

The British excel at State Visits I like how Queen Elizabeth includes most of the family in the various events.

 

[Somebody]

I think it has something to do because he is part of the government.

Exactly. The government in the end has the ultimate authority over the armed forces. As an active member of the military he would be both authority over and serving under the highest ranking officer in the armed forces (the commander of the armed forces). Apparently, that is considered contradictory and therefore impossible according to the Dutch laws.

A special law however was made to make sure that even though no longer in the military he can still wear a uniform on special occasions.

 

[Princess Larisa]

Court Circular 23rd October:
The King and Queen of the Netherlands today commenced a State Visit in London to The Queen.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall welcomed Their Majesties on behalf of Her Majesty at the Residence in London of the Ambassador from the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Court of St James’s.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands, accompanied by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, drove to Horse Guards and were met by The Queen.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands, accompanied by The Queen, with The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, drove in a Carriage Procession to Buckingham Palace with a Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry.

Gun Salutes were fired in Green Park by The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, and at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company.
Guards of Honour were provided at Horse Guards by 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards and at Buckingham Palace by The Queen’s Colour Squadron, Royal Air Force.
Her Majesty’s Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, The Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard and a Detachment of Household Cavalry were on duty.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands this afternoon drove to Westminster Abbey where His Majesty laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands later visited the Palace of Westminster and were received by the Lord Speaker (the Lord Fowler) and the Rt Hon John Bercow MP (Speaker of the House of Commons).
The Speaker welcomed Their Majesties and The King of the Netherlands delivered an Address.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands subsequently attended a Reception with Peers, Members of Parliament and other guests.

Their Majesties afterwards visited The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House.

The Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP (Leader of the Opposition) called upon The King and Queen of the Netherlands at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen gave a State Banquet this evening in honour of The King and Queen of the Netherlands at which The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent and Princess Michael of Kent were present.

The following had the honour of being invited:

Suite of The King and Queen of the Netherlands:
His Excellency Mr Stef Blok (Minister of Foreign Affairs), His Excellency Mr Jan Versteeg (Grand Master of the Royal Household), His Excellency Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar (Adjutant-General to The King of the Netherlands and Chief of the Military Household), His Excellency Mr Simon Smits (Ambassador from the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Court of St James’s) and Mrs Astrid Smits-Kleinen, Mrs Yoka Brandt (Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mr Chris Breedveld (Director of The King of the Netherlands’ Office), Mr Simon van der Burg (Master of Ceremonies to The King of the Netherlands), Mr Sjoert Klein Schiphorst (Marshal of the Court of The King of the Netherlands), Mr Herman Quarles van Ufford (Deputy Director-General, Government Information Service), and Mrs Annemijn Crince le Roy-van Munster van Heuven (Lady-in-Waiting to The Queen of the Netherlands).

Specially attached to The King and Queen of the Netherlands:
Mrs Michael Gordon Lennox (Lady in Waiting), the Viscount Hood (Lord in Waiting) and the Viscountess Hood, the Hon Peter Wilson (Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands) and Dr Mónica Roma Wilson, and Major Nana Twumasi-Ankrah (Equerry in Waiting).

Diplomatic Corps:
His Excellency the Ambassador from the State of Kuwait.

The Cabinet and Government:
The Prime Minister and Mr Philip May, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mrs Philip Hammond, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Mrs Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Defence (the Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP), the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Mrs Gregory Clark, the Leader of the House of Lords (the Baroness Evans of Bowes Park) and Mr James Wild, and the Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP (Minister of State for Europe and the Americas) and Mr James Dunseath.

Special Invitations:
Major General and Mrs Benjamin Bathurst, Dame Janet Beer and Mr David Woodman, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP and Mrs Benn, Mr Clive Betts MP and Mr James Thomas, the Rt Hon Ian Blackford MP and Mrs Blackford, Mr Marc Bolland, the Lord and Lady Burnett of Maldon, the Rt Hon Sir Vincent Cable MP and Lady Cable, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs Justin Welby, Mr and Mrs Bruce Carnegie-Brown, General Sir Nicholas and Lady Carter, Mr Bart Cornelis and Ms Elizabeth Rabineau, Mr Tim de Wit, Mr and Mrs Pieter Duisenberg, the Lord Speaker and the Lady Fowler, Professor Peter Frankopan and Ms Jessica Sainsbury, Dame Clara Furse and Mr Richard Furse, Professor Stan Gielen, Mrs Evelien Gentis-Smit and Mr Philip Gentis, Mr and Mrs Gerard Kleisterlee, Mr Klaas Knot and Mrs Tiny de Boer, Mr Paul Lightfoot and Ms Sol León, the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress, Major and Mrs Kenneth Mayhew, Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas and Mr Christopher Jonas, Sir Simon and the Hon Lady McDonald, Mr and Mrs Andrew Mitchell, the Lord Newby and the Reverend Canon the Hon Lady Newby, Dr Philip and Mrs Nolan, the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, Sir Michael and Lady Perry, Mr and Mrs Paul Polman, Mrs Kate and Mrs Helen Richardson-Walsh, Professor Alexander Rinnooy Kan and Ms Eva van der Dussen, Sir Mark Sedwill, the Rt Hon Emily Thornberry MP and the Hon Mr Justice Nugee, Dr Patrick Vallance and Ms Sophie Dexter, Mr Ben van Beurden and Mrs Stacey Dickson-van Beurden, Mr Jean-François van Boxmeer and Mrs Valérie Behaegel, Professor Wim van Saarloos and Mrs Nynke Smits, Miss Sari van Veenendaal, Sir Mark and Lady Walport, and the Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster (Councillor Lindsey Hall) and Miss Genevieve Hall.

Netherlands Royal Court and Embassy Invitations:
His Excellency Admiral and Mrs Robert Bauer, Mr Hans Büthker, Mrs Wieke Eringa and Mrs Sarah Squires, Mr Hans Hoogervorst and Mrs Yanrong Song, Professor Marcel Levi, Mr and Mrs Leo van der Linden, the Lord and Lady Malloch-Brown, the Lady Elizabeth Shakerley, Captain Wolter Sillevis Smitt, Mrs Brechje Swachöfer, Mrs Louise van Hellenberg Hubar, and Reverend Bertjan van der Lagemaat and Mrs Talitha Frohn.

 

[Marengo]

Thanks for that list PL.

Lots of the usual suspects, including the CEO's of Royal Dutch Shell, Unilever, Heineken and Vodafone. The president of the Dutch bank was there too, as was the son of a previous president of the bank, who is now the chairman of the association of universities.

Nice to see that the king invited Lady Elizabeth Shakerley, a pity we did not see a photo of her.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

It is kind of strange that it was the Dutch King who invited Lady Elizabeth Shakerley and not The Queen. The Lady (Lady Elizabeth Georgiana Anson by birth) was one of the bridesmaids to Princess Beatrix, back in 1966. Lady Elizabeth is related to the Queen via the Bowes-Lyons.


Sweet from the King, to include her.

 

[Somebody]

Princess Mabel seems to be missing in the list... While she was considered the third most important guest on the Dutch side.

 

[Mirabel]

I was wondering why Princess Michael was present, yet her husband was not?

She seems to be invited to all the state banquets, yet I've often heard that the rest of the RF does not like her. So why is she always included?

 

[muriel]

I was wondering why Princess Michael was present, yet her husband was not?

She seems to be invited to all the state banquets, yet I've often heard that the rest of the RF does not like her. So why is she always included?

Prince Friso, Mabel's husband, passed away 5 years ago.

 

[TLLK]

I was wondering why Princess Michael was present, yet her husband was not?

I'm guessing that Prince Michael had a previously planned event that evening.? Princess Michael has also been included in State Banquets when there are German speaking guests.

 

[Mirabel]

Prince Friso, Mabel's husband, passed away 5 years ago.

What does that have to do with Princess Michael?

 

[andrew]

.

She speaks German. But I guess every Dutchmen speaks English, so...

 

[Princess Larisa]

Court Circular 24th October:
The King and Queen of the Netherlands, accompanied by The Earl and Countess of Wessex, this morning attended a Breakfast given by the Lord Mayor and the City of London Corporation at Mansion House, London EC4, and were received by the Rt. Hon. the Lord Mayor (Alderman Charles Bowman).

Their Majesties, accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses, subsequently attended the UK-Netherlands Innovation Showcase at Mansion House and were received by Mr. Andrew Mitchell (Her Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Europe) and Mr. Graham Stuart MP (Minister for Investment, Department for International Trade).

The King and Queen of the Netherlands, accompanied by The Earl and Countess of Wessex, afterwards visited HNLMS ZEELAND, moored alongside HMS BELFAST, The Queen's Walk, London SE1, and were received by The Duke of Kent, the Executive Director (Commercial and Operations) of Imperial War Museums (Mr. John Brown) and Captain Wolter Sillevis Smitt (Defence and Naval Attaché, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands).

The King and Queen of the Netherlands, accompanied by The Earl and Countess of Wessex, later visited Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, London SW9, and were received by the Managing Director of Make Shift (Mr. James Leay) and the Mayor of Lambeth (Councillor Christopher Wellbelove).

Their Majesties this afternoon visited No. 10 Downing Street and had talks with the Prime Minister and subsequently were entertained to Luncheon by the Prime Minister on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands, with the Dutch Suite in attendance, left Buckingham Palace later upon the conclusion of the State Visit to The Queen.

 

[Rudolph]

‘His Excellency Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar (Adjutant-General to The King of the Netherlands and Chief of the Military Household)’

Can somebody tell me this gentleman’s precedence? He was accompanied by The Duchess of Cambridge so I assume he’s high ranking.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

‘His Excellency Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar (Adjutant-General to The King of the Netherlands and Chief of the Military Household)’

Can somebody tell me this gentleman’s precedence? He was accompanied by The Duchess of Cambridge so I assume he’s high ranking.

The King's Household is divided in a Civiele Huis which is led by the Grootmeester (the Lord Chamberlain) and a Militair Huis which is led by the Adjudant-Generaal. So we can say he is the military equivalent of the Lord Chamberlain.

At the Investiture of the King the Adjudant-Generaal was directly behind the King on the dais. Also in ceremonial proceedings, he rides directly behind the monarch (see picture, a previous Adjudant-Generaal under Queen Beatrix).

http://www.militairruiterbewijs.nl/image.php?id=181

 

[MARG]

There were a couple interesting or amusing things I noted on this visit. The first was the sheer splendour of the State Welcome and how I had almost forgotten how majestic it is and that while there have been acts of terror in European countries and fewer in the US but they eschew the carriage ride in favour of a chopper on the front lawn! Even "The Beast" processing down the Mall could not compete.

The ease with which both King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima carried off their welcome kisses to HM and Camilla considering the wide (and I do mean wide) disparity in height, especially when they were both wearing a brimmed hat, was nothing less than perfect. Of course, I suppose they both had plenty of practice with Queen Beatrix.

I loved that Maxima both wears and carries gloves.

 

[Dman]

I’m just noticing that a single rail was instantly provided for The Queen when exiting the carriage upon returning to Buckingham Palace. That was a brilliant idea.

 

[Somebody]

Although Queen Maxima didn’t get any British order., her husband was given the Garter, which is the oldest and most prestigious non-ecclesiastical order of knighthood in Europe ( the Spanish Golden Fleece is pretty much the only currently active order in the continent that comes somewhat closer in prestige). That in itself is enough reason IMHO for the King to reciprocate giving out Dutch orders to other BRF members. It surprises me that he didn’t do it especially considering how “ generous” he was in comparison in Denmark.

Again, with all due respect, Maxina’s being snubbed is not a sufficient excuse for the King’s unwillingness to decorate other British royals. Queen Letizia didn’t get any British order either, but, King Felipe still decorated Anne, Andrew and Harry with the Order of Isabella the Catholic, albeit at a lower grade I think.

Imho that is perfectly reasonable: the queen already has the highest Dutch order and is not willing to give the king's wife any order out of some weird principle, so, no reason to start decorating royal highnesses with Dutch orders - W-A could probably have upgraded Charles to the Order of Orange-Nassau (not that much of an upgrade; but it's something), but probably intended to wait until Charles becomes king himself, so he can be given the Order of the Dutch Lion (which is the same order that Máxima has).

Let's just hope that Charles reverses his mother's policy and starts handing out orders to wives of kings and not only to husbands of queens. In that case, I am sure the visiting (or receiving) royals will be much more willing to also decorate other family members - as there would be some equality.