Prince Friso in Critical Condition Following Skiing Accident: February 17, 2012

[MissJanet]

Originally Posted by Hendrik-Jan77

I think the Royal Family will also use this time to start accepting the present situation and will gradually see what is inevitable.
When Friso will stay in this coma and his family lets this situation continue I think it will do their reputation more harm than good.
Medical experts, media and a certain amount of the Dutch people will perceive it as that his family won't allow Prince Friso to die.
They will risk losing the sympathy they now have from the Dutch people in the long run.
The condition of Prince Friso will continue to be debated in the media and by the Dutch people from time to time.
Friso's situation will also overshadow other major events in the Royal Family's life, such as the inauguration of the new King Willem IV.
I think it is important, that IF Friso won't recover, that the 'Friso-accident' should be a closed chapter at some point. I think that is better for his family and the monarchy.

I have absolutely no expectations, I do not have the feeling that I can make demands how the royal family should handle the situation. Friso is in a coma, everything else is basically unknown by now. I highly doubt that anyone will lose sympathy for a family who suffers so much.

Originally Posted by Hendrik-Jan77

I understand that the preparations for Koninginnedag (Queensday) will continue.

You contradict yourself here. Should the family move on now, or not?

Originally Posted by Hendrik-Jan77

As someone who has lost a brother in an accident when he was 18 years old, seven years ago, I for the life of me can't understand why the Royal Family still wants to participate in these celebrations.

Please accept my sympathy for your loss, that is terrible.

Originally Posted by Hendrik-Jan77

Two months after this tragedy in which they almost certainly have lost the Friso they have known his entire life, I can't imagine they feel like celebrating.
Maybe it is their sense of duty but almost everyone in the country would understand if they would skip this year's celebrations. It must also be strange for the Dutch people to see the Royal Family celebrate. Friso's fate must be in everyone's mind that day and when you think of that I would not be in the mood for festivities...
Maybe they should hold a televised church service in honour of Queensday, as one newsreporter suggested today. I think something like that would be more appropriate at this time.
The news that the preparations will continue, probably with the Royal Family's consent, starts to get me a bit worried.
With this news in mind, along with all that talk about starting a recovery in today's press release, I am starting to wonder if the Royal Family is not doing at wishful thinking and is still being realistic about Prince Friso's condition.
His outlooks are still very grave...
Ofcourse it is easy to talk for me, as I am not related to the Prince. And again, I still hope for the very best for Prince Friso...
This is just my own humble opinion and I hope I didn't offend anyone.

It is my understanding that Queen has a sense of duty, and that the family will continue to do their jobs. Celebrating IS their job.

[Kellydofc]

Originally Posted by suztav

The air ambulances are pretty sophisticated. We tranported my mother in one for a 3,000 mile trip and it was equipped with a ventilator which was essential since she couldn't breath on her own. That trip cost us $10,000 ... 13 years ago! No insurance ... it was cash up front.

Oh my, that's crazy expensive!

[suztav]

Originally Posted by Kellydofc

Oh my, that's crazy expensive!

Money was the least of our concerns at the time. I would do it again!

[Kellydofc]

Originally Posted by suztav

Money was the least of our concerns at the time. I would do it again!

I understand that completely. I just think it's sad that something that's so nececessary is so expensive.

[Hendrik-Jan77]

Originally Posted by MissJanet

You contradict yourself here. Should the family move on now, or not?

I don't think I contradict myself here. I am very much for moving on, but personally I don't think participating in the Queensday celebrations this year is the right thing to do for the Royal Family. I think it is more appropiate to spend this day in a different way than usual.
But, again, they should do what they think is right.
Meanwhile I have great respect for Her Majesty that she is going back to work next Monday.

[windsorgirl]

What we also don't know are the stipulations of his living will, should he have one. When my husband and I made ours, since we are still relatively young (Friso's age, actually), we were advised to request life support for 6 months before our loved ones could "pull the plug." In that way, should a miracle happen to occur, it would have evidenced itself by then. My point is that the family might just be carrying out his medical directives, not holding out false hope or anything else we could speculate.

[maria-olivia]

To Hendrik-Jan, Lucien and other Dutch of this Board,
I thank you for sharing during two long weeks this dramatic and severe situation of your Prince.
Now He is back to London where she lived before in another life . The Royal family took the best Decision .
Your beloved Queen will after a stay return in her Netherlands . The Koninginne dag of 30 April have to stay the Queen’s day and the whole Nation will take opportunity of this day to show their sincere affection to their dearest Queen Beatrix and all her family.
Best regards from Maria-Olivia

[Hilda Thomas]

Hendrik-Jan77,
I agree with you, Queen Beatrix is a mother first and a queen after. She has aged since her son is in a coma whether peasant or the rich no one can escape sorrow this being said" it is how we respond to ill fate, there are reporters for the Media who are risking their lives to let the world know that injustices are being meted out to the less fortunate people around the world as we know some have lost their lives. Military men and women have lost their lives in exchange for good will. I always admire Queen Beatrix she is now in the position of all the mothers who have experience sorrow. I daresay that Queen B has her son for 40 years plus, what about the Dutch mothers whose sons left home and did not return with their life hundreds of them did not reach their 25th birthday. I greive with Queen B she has a lot of strength and I do hope she will regain it soon. It is how we respond to sorrow that proves our faith.

Longfellow said," Not enjoyment or not sorrow is our destined end or way but to act that each tomorrow finds us better than today."

[lucien]

Originally Posted by Hendrik-Jan77

I don't think I contradict myself here. I am very much for moving on, but personally I don't think participating in the Queensday celebrations this year is the right thing to do for the Royal Family. I think it is more appropiate to spend this day in a different way than usual.
But, again, they should do what they think is right.
Meanwhile I have great respect for Her Majesty that she is going back to work next Monday.

What is the right thing to do is to move on from here.Preparations go ahead as usual.That is the BEST thing one can do,continue where you've left before this holiday.Odd as it may sound but the Family has now entered the stage in which hundreds of thousands of families and more are in all over the globe,and life does go on for them too.It is their decision.And in this case it has always been the cut between public life and private life,even in times of hardship.They will find their way,no doubt about that.They are strong and they have to,and they know that and they can.What might be different on this years Queensday is perhaps the abundance of it all,or the total opposite as Rhenen and Veenendaal will be jammed due to an extraordinary outpoor of support,affection and respect towards the RF.I think a good old Queensday is just what one needs.The towns visited this year are not exactly known for their exuburance,more the opposite,so that will be enough of an appropiate setting.

[RoyalistRiley]

I really feel for the Royal Family at this time. I cannot begin to imagine how horrible it must be for them. They are certainly in my thoughts and prayers.

[lucien]

Originally Posted by EIIR

If any photographers are likely to take such photos I would say they'd more likely be Dutch as that would be the market for the photos.

No,we're not interested here either in pics of the family visiting.

In case you haven't noticed but the dutch press took a stance on this a week ago and no more pics of HM and other members of the family will be photographed in relation to this.

A very wise and respectfull decision IMO,and acknowledged as such by the RF yesterday as they made it known to be pleased with the respect shown.

[XeniaCasaraghi]

Wont Friso being in a hospital in London make it difficult for his mother and older brother to see him often seeing as how they must remain in their own country?

[lucien]

Originally Posted by XeniaCasaraghi

Wont Friso being in a hospital in London make it difficult for his mother and older brother to see him often seeing as how they must remain in their own country?

Oh no no problem at all,London is just under one hour away.

[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by Kellydofc

I understand that completely. I just think it's sad that something that's so nececessary is so expensive.

Insurances are pretty cheap who cover that. It's often included in the membership of an automobile club or cheaper for members and part of a travel health insurance. That's for a transport back to the country of residence in case there happens to be a accident. Maybe even prince Friso had such an insurance!

Within a country necessary ambulance flights are covered by the health insurance which is obligatory in Germany eg.

[Muhler]

Do you think this tragedy may move forward an abdication of Queen Beatrix?

In the sense that she would be able to devote more time to visit her son and care for her daughter-in-law and grandchildren.
It would also make it simpler to visit her son in the clinic and also enable her to visit him more often (and not least his family).

Alternatively, is it possible that Queen Beatrix might cede the throne temporarily?
For say six month until they have an idea whether Prince Friso might recover to some degree or until they decide what to do.

Incidentally I read an article yesterday about some Danish research regarding patients who are severely braindamaged and unresponding. Tests had shown that a particular influenza medicine had very beneficial results on such patients.
The drug is called Amantadin.
184 patients have been tested with positive results.

Here is the article, in Danish, but I'm sure you are able to dig up more info yourself: Influenza-medicin vækker svært hjerneskadede til live | Videnskab.dk

ADDED: More on Amantadin, in English: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoo...4#.T1CKPXmZGkQ

[EIIR]

Alternatively, seeing Friso's children without their father to all intents and purposes, maybe it'll make Beatrix more resolved than ever to give Willem Alexander's daughters as much time with their father as possible while they're still so young?

[Duke of Marmalade]

People already said that Beatrix would retire when Claus died, her "everything". But she didnt. I wouldnt expect her to retire now, its tough but she is a trooper.

[tommy100]

Originally Posted by Mermaid1962

I dearly hope that the notorious British press will leave this family alone. We don't need to see pictures of whenever Princess Mabel visits her husband.

To be fair neither the Daily Mail or Telegraph which reported the accident have not said anything about Friso being moved to London so I can't see them needing pictures or demand from British press is likely to be low.

[Stefanie]

Of course they can´t let him die just to end this horrible situation but I think as long as Friso stays in this pitiable unconscious condition this all will overshadow this monarchy probably for years. F.i. any time they celebrate Koniginnendag which was always so full of fun and the Dutch family members in good mood and a public festival for the Dutch people you just can´t stop thinking of Friso. It´s really a dilemma.

[principessa]

Don't you think its better to look into future? Even the situation with Friso is terrible, they should come back to everyday life. That would be good for psyche.

After my fathers death a doctor gave me that advice. I have not forgotten the pain after his death, but the "everyday life" had helped me to handle the situation.