Analysis of Princess Máxima

[Marengo]

I think the contradictional signals have a lot to do with the character of the nation. For example if people show a display of nationalism/ proudness of their nation they are greeted with mock by most people. Little dutch people will ever claim to be proud of their country or to have national feelings (considered as a sign of ineducatedness by many) and yet, when a foreigner dares to say a negative thing about the country the dutchman will feel offended, much more then the attitude will make you believe.

The same aplies for the national symbol: the royal family. Not many people will publicaly say they love the royals for example, and yet around 90% support the monarchy. Not in line with what many announce among collegues, as they fear to be considered small-minded, dumb or a hopeless romantic by openly confessing such things.

As Henri pointed out, the media interest is very high, and IMO still growing. The biggest national newspaper for example have an article featuring a member of the RF almost every day, something which was not normal in the 80-ties for example.

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by Marengo

I think the contradictional signals have a lot to do with the character of the nation. For example if people show a display of nationalism/ proudness of their nation they are greeted with mock by most people. Little dutch people will ever claim to be proud of their country or to have national feelings (considered as a sign of ineducatedness by many) and yet, when a foreigner dares to say a negative thing about the country the dutchman will feel offended, much more then the attitude will make you believe.

The same aplies for the national symbol: the royal family. Not many people will publicaly say they love the royals for example, and yet around 90% support the monarchy. Not in line with what many announce among collegues, as they fear to be considered small-minded, dumb or a hopeless romantic by openly confessing such things.

As Henri pointed out, the media interest is very high, and IMO still growing. The biggest national newspaper for example have an article featuring a member of the RF almost every day, something which was not normal in the 80-ties for example.

Marengo and Henri make great points, I'd like to add to that the Dutch are more traditional than they like to admit or than outsiders realize, hence their sympathy, at the end of the day, for traditions like the RF.

But back on topic: I think that somehow, this increasing media attention to all things royal is getting to be over the top and disconcerting. Although of course I realize (and I wish sometimes that Alexander and his mom would realize) that they would be nowhere without this weirdly symbiotic relationship between royals and the press. Maxima, on the other hand seems to have an inborn understanding of the role of the media in the fact she has this gig at all! I didn't see the footage though of Sverre's baptism, so perhaps my judgment is wrong here..

[Marengo]

I saw some footage of Sverre's baptism and I did not think she looked grumpy. Just a bit distracted maybe as she can not understand any norwegian. But he did her best to look interested (and probably was).
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The orientation of Maxima on Dutch society was shown in a documantary in NOVA when she was also interviewed by Jeroen Pauw. The film footage showed Maxima going to an area in Rotterdam, fgoing to a prison for young female delinquents etc, which I have never seen before (and of which no pictures were released), so it is safe to asume she worked hard out of the limelight.
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I think you are right about the court having problems adjusting to the recent media frenzy. We saw this in the handling of the Margarita case for example. It was blown out of proportion by the media and became a circus, but the court did nothing to control the damage IMO (though in the end the damage was controled, dispite of the court).

[antonieta]

The impression that crown princess Maxima gives to me is that she must be a very warm, nice and happy person.

[HRH Mims]

I like Maxima too.
Maybe some people just think that happiness and sence for fun doesn't match to role of crown princess, but I think, that's what makes Maxima so popular. She makes her job better than other boring princesses and she brings a new fresh wind.
So Maxima for me wins in full line- like princess, like wife and like mother.

[Her_Majesty]

Originally Posted by mims111

I like Maxima too.
Maybe some people just think that happiness and sence for fun doesn't match to role of crown princess, but I think, that's what makes Maxima so popular. She makes her job better than other boring princesses and she brings a new fresh wind.
So Maxima for me wins in full line- like princess, like wife and like mother.

I totally agree! She seems to bring joy wherever she's going to! And the best thing: Her daughters seem to have their mother's character! Amalia and Alexia also smile everytime we see them

[HRH Mims]

Ehm, almost every princess's made fashion mistake. And some are making them one by one.
I think Maxima loves bright colors- like Mette-Marit loves darker colors, Mary loves something elegant, but not usual...
So I think she really isn't "la Celebrita Máxima." She just likes her style of clothing, and she can't do nothing with big attention of media. And also she can't do nothing with wind.

She will do (she is already doing) great wife to Willem- Alexander, to future king of Netherlands.

[Larzen]

I like Maxima, She appears very smart, her speeches are by far the best of the Crown Princesses (maybe she has a fantastic speech writer ) she has spark and she seems genuine. But honeslty lately her apprances has gone dooooown and I dont think any other of her fellow Crown Princesses has her resources. Even if you are pregnant you can comb your hair and try to not outbling Jay-Z in a day event. If it is windy put it in a ponytail or a chignon, or use some hairspray (Im sure her mother in law can recomend a good label ) We almost never see the older guard (Sonja, Silvia Beatrix, Sofia etc) looking like they have just entered a hurricane storm. Such apparance as this really distracts from the event,Instead of wondering what the event is about I wonder what is she doing at the floor
http://ppe-agency.com/500px/Nov2006/06112207.jpg
and where is her face
http://ppe-agency.com/500px/Nov2006/06112215.jpg

Well one word one cant put on her is Boring

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by Larzen

I like Maxima, She appears very smart, her speeches are by far the best of the Crown Princesses (maybe she has a fantastic speech writer ) she has spark and she seems genuine. But honeslty lately her apprances has gone dooooown and I dont think any other of her fellow Crown Princesses has her resources. Even if you are pregnant you can comb your hair and try to not outbling Jay-Z in a day event. If it is windy put it in a ponytail or a chignon, or use some hairspray (Im sure her mother in law can recomend a good label ) We almost never see the older guard (Sonja, Silvia Beatrix, Sofia etc) looking like they have just entered a hurricane storm. Such apparance as this really distracts from the event,Instead of wondering what the event is about I wonder what is she doing at the floor
http://ppe-agency.com/500px/Nov2006/06112207.jpg
and where is her face
http://ppe-agency.com/500px/Nov2006/06112215.jpg

Well one word one cant put on her is Boring

Very wise comment! So well put too; nothing to add to, agree with every word!

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by Larzen

wondering what the event is about I wonder what is she doing at the floor
http://ppe-agency.com/500px/Nov2006/06112207.jpg

Simply: one of the pylons which marked the red carpet tumbled down and apparently Máxima wanted to help the mayor to upright it.

[MissSaga]

Originally Posted by Henri M.

Simply: one of the pylons which marked the red carpet tumbled down and apparently Máxima wanted to help the mayor to upright it.

Once again, another gesture showing her un-snobby, helpful, warm personnality.

Personally, I really, really like Maxima's megawatt smile, as well as her speeches and the job she has performed as a princess to date, for example her involvment in microfinance. She is hardworking, and whenever I see pictures of her, I cannot not like her.

However, with the money and jewelry she has at her disposal, her messy apperance is insufficient. Her physical apperance the last year or so, has truly been disappointing, especially the hair !

Have a look at this picture:
http://ppe-agency.com/500px/Dec2006/06121312.jpg

If I hadn't known, that she that day attended the Prince Claus Price in the Musicbuilding in Amsterdam, I would honestly have thought that this was a paparazzi shot taken of her, where she was trying to find the right terminal in an airport in order not to miss a flight, or something. She looks confused, irritated, messy and if she was late for something. Her clothes are distastefull(okay, that's a matter of opinion), and her walk is just . She doesn't always look like this, but sometimes I think she is a little too much.

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by MissSaga

Once again, another gesture showing her un-snobby, helpful, warm personnality.

Personally, I really, really like Maxima's megawatt smile, as well as her speeches and the job she has performed as a princess to date, for example her involvment in microfinance. She is hardworking, and whenever I see pictures of her, I cannot not like her.

However, with the money and jewelry she has at her disposal, her messy apperance is insufficient. Her physical apperance the last year or so, has truly been disappointing, especially the hair !

Have a look at this picture:
http://ppe-agency.com/500px/Dec2006/06121312.jpg

If I hadn't known, that she that day attended the Prince Claus Price in the Musicbuilding in Amsterdam, I would honestly have thought that this was a paparazzi shot taken of her, where she was trying to find the right terminal in an airport in order not to miss a flight, or something. She looks confused, irritated, messy and if she was late for something. Her clothes are distastefull(okay, that's a matter of opinion), and her walk is just . She doesn't always look like this, but sometimes I think she is a little too much.

The heavily pregnant Princess leaves the hypermodern glass-and-steel Muziekgebouw which is directly at the open waterfront in Amsterdam, always with a hard and chilly wind blowing straight in your face. A photocamera, with an angle below her waist, clicks 0,000001 millisecond and voilá, this unfortunate picture has been captured for eternity. This picture, made at the same occasion, tells a completely different story.

I have seen nice outfits by the same heavily pregnant Princess, no so long after this, like this elegant combination or stealing the show in velvet and with emeralds

[Vanesa]

Originally Posted by MissSaga

Once again, another gesture showing her un-snobby, helpful, warm personnality.

Personally, I really, really like Maxima's megawatt smile, as well as her speeches and the job she has performed as a princess to date, for example her involvment in microfinance. She is hardworking, and whenever I see pictures of her, I cannot not like her.

However, with the money and jewelry she has at her disposal, her messy apperance is insufficient. Her physical apperance the last year or so, has truly been disappointing, especially the hair !

Have a look at this picture:
http://ppe-agency.com/500px/Dec2006/06121312.jpg

If I hadn't known, that she that day attended the Prince Claus Price in the Musicbuilding in Amsterdam, I would honestly have thought that this was a paparazzi shot taken of her, where she was trying to find the right terminal in an airport in order not to miss a flight, or something. She looks confused, irritated, messy and if she was late for something. Her clothes are distastefull(okay, that's a matter of opinion), and her walk is just . She doesn't always look like this, but sometimes I think she is a little too much.

I like Princess Maxima too, but I can't5 but agree to MissSaga. Her personal look is a complete mess since a year or so. I know she is pregnant and then, she has a certain "indulgence" from us (oh..what mean we are! I ask to myself what we'll do if we were in her possition ) to be a little messy with her personal appareance. But I hope that since she gives birth to her baby, she will -at least- take care of her hair. It looks awful!

As for her legs, yes, they are a little ...-how can I say it?...a little strong. But she is not guilty of it. All of us shouldn't have the legs of a top model. I only wish she makes what it's possible for her: take care of her clothes and her hairdoss. She must respect the people whom she is representing from the day she married Prince Wilhelm-Alexander: the Netherland one.

Vanesa.

[Henri M.]

Amen to that.

Her mother-in-law is already performing public duties for 50 years, as Princess and later as Queen. On hot days, cold days, stormy days, rainy days, dry days.

Always and ever she tries to look impeccable. Because she knows what impression she wants to make. First and foremost (so said her son Prince Constantijn) any public act must be done in a dignified style. Friendly but distant. Dignified but human.

Máxima for sure is extremely friendly. And extremely human. I do miss the distance and the dignified attitude which surrounds Queen Beatrix. Sometimes even Laurentien, with all her strange outfits à la laurentinoise, radiates more dignity than Máxima!

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by Henri M.

Amen to that.

Her mother-in-law is already performing public duties for 50 years, as Princess and later as Queen. On hot days, cold days, stormy days, rainy days, dry days.

Always and ever she tries to look impeccable. Because she knows what impression she wants to make. First and foremost (so said her son Prince Constantijn) any public act must be done in a dignified style. Friendly but distant. Dignified but human.

Máxima for sure is extremely friendly. And extremely human. I do miss the distance and the dignified attitude which surrounds Queen Beatrix. Sometimes even Laurentien, with all her strange outfits à la laurentinoise, radiates more dignity than Máxima!

Completely agree!

[Marengo]

Well, my perception of dignity a la Laurentinoise is troubled by her appearing as an airoplane, though very friendly, not exactly royal either. Neither are many of her clothing choises, some of which seem more suitable for the circus then for an official duty as a representant of the Dutch state. But still I value Laurentien as a member of the RF as she seems to have a cause and tries to put much of her energy in it, which is IMHO much more important then her clothes.

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Though I do not like Maxima's shiny outfit of yesterday, I fail to see the horror of it all. IMO she is a rather conservative dresser and compared to the Dutch women I see at work, on the street, television etc. she dresses with a formality that is only surpassed by HM The Queen, her ladies-in-waiting and female CDA/VVD politicians who passed the age of 60.

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Concrete hairdo's is not so much of this generation anymore either, and I sure hope she will never start being as exchuberent with the harspray as her mother-in-law, Queen Fabiola or Raine Spencer. Personally I would prefer her to put the hair in a knot, like the Duchess of Brabant usually does.

[Maxie]

Originally Posted by Marengo

she dresses with a formality that is only surpassed by HM The Queen, her ladies-in-waiting and female CDA/VVD politicians who passed the age of 60.

That last one made me laugh out loud, Marengo! Thanks for that.

I agree with your last post in a whole, btw. I fail to see the horror of it all too, to be honest. In a world where a lot of problems have to be solved, I don't think it's of any consequence that there's a smart Dutch princess wandering around whose only crime is that from time to time she dresses up in a way some of us don't like (including me, btw)...

[lucien]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Well, my perception of dignity a la Laurentinoise is troubled by her appearing as an airoplane, though very friendly, not exactly royal either. Neither are many of her clothing choises, some of which seem more suitable for the circus then for an official duty as a representant of the Dutch state. But still I value Laurentien as a member of the RF as she seems to have a cause and tries to put much of her energy in it, which is IMHO much more important then her clothes.

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Though I do not like Maxima's shiny outfit of yesterday, I fail to see the horror of it all. IMO she is a rather conservative dresser and compared to the Dutch women I see at work, on the street, television etc. she dresses with a formality that is only surpassed by HM The Queen, her ladies-in-waiting and female CDA/VVD politicians who passed the age of 60.

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Concrete hairdo's is not so much of this generation anymore either, and I sure hope she will never start being as exchuberent with the harspray as her mother-in-law, Queen Fabiola or Raine Spencer. Personally I would prefer her to put the hair in a knot, like the Duchess of Brabant usually does.

Agree Marengo.Allthough appearance is part of the Royal spectrum(especially on forums/boards)...,I think it's far more important What and How HRH does contribute within The Netherlands and within the frame of her many interests in a global perspective,ao,micro-credit issues.

[rosana]

I prefer her hair loose, dishevelled by the wind and not hard and fixed with tons of spray as the queen who seems to be wearing a wig. Maxima is very young and the long hair is her best choice.

[Henri M.]

Well, for the coming current events I do hope that Máxima will sit down and make her mind up: who am I? What am I doing here? What is my position in this country? Why is it that do I belong to the world's most privileged persons?

And then I hope she will review her own role and her own performance. I have the idea that, because she did not grew up in a monarchy, she has no idea what it is and is confusing it with any ordinary celebrity.

Let us await and see, there will be a calm period around Christmas and then she will disappear for the birth of her newest baby. I hope we will see a renewed, more polished, better dressed and more princessely acting Máxima.