Silver Jubilee of Queen Beatrix: April 2005 - Page 2

agisele · #21 04-10-2005, 06:23 AM

Congratulations to Queen Beatrix on achieving such a milestone! may she continue to reign for many more years to come.

Alexandria · #22 04-17-2005, 01:13 PM

What kind of jubilee celebrations can we expect in the next few weeks as we approach Queensday? Will Queensday be extra special this year?

HMQueenElizabethII · #23 04-25-2005, 08:41 PM

I think it would be great celebrations this Saturday.It must be a great and colourful day in The Netherlands.

HMQueenElizabethII · #24 04-25-2005, 08:45 PM

But anybody know will they have any Service or Thanksgiving Ceremony at the Church like Queen Elizabeth II's in June 2002 at St Paul's Cathedral?

marezdote · #25 04-25-2005, 10:08 PM

Will the whole family be together on Saturday?

The Watcher · #26 04-26-2005, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMQueenElizabethII

But anybody know will they have any Service or Thanksgiving Ceremony at the Church like Queen Elizabeth II's in June 2002 at St Paul's Cathedral?

In December there is a Service with protestants, catholics, muslims etc. in the Dom Church in Utrecht.

The Watcher · #27 04-26-2005, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marezdote

Will the whole family be together on Saturday?

Yes, it is Queens day. So at least all the members of the royal house will be there (maybe not the pregnant Marilene and all the grandchildren).

The Watcher · #28 04-26-2005, 06:54 AM

The Queen get a window in the New Church in Amsterdam and also a second window in the Great Church of Apeldoorn.

Here is a picture of the window in Apeldoorn:

**Marengo** · #29 04-26-2005, 06:56 AM

I wonder if Aimee and Anita will be there, I hope so! I believe Marilene attended queensday during her engagement as well, so did Annette.

The Watcher · #30 04-26-2005, 07:12 AM

Preparations
Pics:
1. "The Netherlands congratulate the Queen"
2. The Queen received the program
3. Paintings of Beatrix in Madam Tussaud
4. A gift of the people for the Queen. A schip for the Princess Beatrix Foundation, for disabled people.
5. The Queen will visit the 12 provinces
6 and 7. Preparations in Amsterdam for the concert on 29 April
8. Preparations in Scheveningen / The Hague for Queens day on 30 April
9. Commemorative plate from Frysland
10. Commemorative plate from Delft. See link: http://www.royaldelft.com//index.cfm?pid=669

HMQueenElizabethII · #31 04-26-2005, 07:31 AM

Thanks lots The Watcher.

The Watcher · #32 04-28-2005, 05:11 PM

It was a great interview today with Queen Beatrix. I am really impressed. We have a beautiful Queen :o

I hope somebody on BRMB will make a summary of the interview, than I will posted it here

HMQueenElizabethII · #33 04-28-2005, 05:47 PM

Very lovely and happy Queen: The Queen from yesterday:

HMQueenElizabethII · #34 04-28-2005, 05:48 PM

Official photo from AAP Image:

marezdote · #35 04-28-2005, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Watcher

It was a great interview today with Queen Beatrix. I am really impressed. We have a beautiful Queen :o

I hope somebody on BRMB will make a summary of the interview, than I will posted it here

Was it a print interview or one on TV? If it was on TV do you know are there any clips online?

misshelen · #36 04-28-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marezdote

Was it a print interview or one on TV? If it was on TV do you know are there any clips online?

It was on tv and this is the link
http://cgi.omroep.nl/cgi-bin/streams...s_koningin.wmv

marezdote · #37 04-28-2005, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misshelen

It was on tv and this is the link
http://cgi.omroep.nl/cgi-bin/streams...s_koningin.wmv

Thanks misshelen! I don't speak Dutch but it was neat to get to her what her voice sounds like as I had never heard it before.

misshelen · #38 04-28-2005, 09:08 PM

Picture from interview on Dutch tv yesterday evening

Gabriella · #39 04-29-2005, 12:20 AM

Thanks for posting the link to the video misshelen! I can't speak Dutch either, but I am always extrememly curious to hear what various royals sound like. I believe that Beatrix is one of the few that I'd never heard before. Even though I can't understand a lick of what she's saying, she sounds very sure of herself and confident. She didn't seem to studder much at all, trying to figure out what to say. I also noticed that she's extrememly expressive when she talks and seems to use her hands quite a bit.

The Watcher · #40 04-29-2005, 05:34 AM

Article from Expatica/ANP:

-----------------
Queen confident Dutch society will find balance

29 April 2005

AMSTERDAM — On the eve of her silver jubilee as Dutch monarch, Queen Beatrix has spoken openly about the loneliness of her position and her belief that the Netherlands will emerge stronger from present tensions.

In a series of exclusive interviews with public broadcaster NOS, the Queen also spoke about the brutal murders of politician Pim Fortuyn and filmmaker Theo van Gogh, describing them as "disasters".

The comment is noteworthy given the fact the Queen was criticised for not addressing the murder of Fortuyn in her Speech from the Throne in 2002. Beatrix was not immediately visible after the murder of Van Gogh either.

But Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said in the same broadcast on Thursday night: "I said in the days after the murder of Van Gogh that I'd been in contact with the Queen. In some statements that I issue, I also speak on behalf of the Queen."

Turning to tension in society, Beatrix told interviewer and philosophy of law professor Dorien Pessers that the Netherlands is changing, but not necessarily for the better.

She said that undercurrents remain in society, but expressed faith in the Netherlands: "We have a strong society. We have basically a very healthy society also. In the long run, we must find a new balance."

However, the Queen lamented the hardening of society, saying that it has become more superficial, pointing also to a greater emphasis on materialism. She said people have become ruder and that individualism is taking force.

Beatrix said toleration is something that is learned and taught to children and should be expanded to include other religious faiths and not just Christianity.

Praising a greater emphasis on quality, the Queen said "people have gradually started to recognise that it is very important to place demands on all aspects of society. For me, quality means that you do your best".

But she regrets some changes in the Dutch character: "I believe that some of our matter-of-factness, austerity and moderation — which were part of the Dutch character — have become less visible".

Turning to her role as monarch, the Queen said her reign has proven very different in practice than what she had imagined. "I primarily think that you misjudge how lonely it is," she said, adding that the position of monarch is filled mainly by decision making. She was thankful of the support of family and her late husband Prince Claus.

Being always available is one of the difficult parts to her role as monarch also. She described this as a burden, but stressed that her faith has supported her in carrying out her responsibilities.

The Queen also said when signing legislation into law, it does not matter whether she agrees with the change or not and it does not indicate whether she agrees with the law. Essentially, Beatrix stressed that she must remain impartial in her approach.

And she is not ready to step down. She said her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and wife Princess Maxima first need time to enjoy building family and work pursuits before ascending the throne.

As to the role of being a grandmother, Beatrix said it was wonderful. "I had never thought it would be so fun. I may also baby sit now and again."

Known for her involvement in times of tragedy, Beatrix said that comforting someone is not possible. Comfort is very difficult to give, but you can, I think, show your sympathy as much as possible."

On Saturday, Queen's Day, Beatrix will have officially been the Dutch monarch for 25 years. Celebrations will start with a concert on Dam Square on Friday night.