Koninginnedag 2002-2012


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Henri M. said:
I find it kind of sad. A gigantic turnout of the royal family. A massed turnout of the public in Woudirchem and 's-Hertogenbosch. Millions of people enjoying Queen's Day in all cities and villages in all parts of the kingdom. A visibly extremely enjoying royal family. Already since the Stadtholderly era in the 17th Century the birthday of the Prince was publicly celebrated.

And what is this all about? "We miss Máxima". Unbelievable. As if all this today was worthless without her or something... What would Máxima's attendance have added to this day? Is it about her garderobe? The athmosphere was 100% super. With Beatrix. With Mabel. With Laurentien. With Margriet. With Marilène. With Aimée. With Annette. And name them all.

:ermm:
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I'm so glad you said this Henri! It's QueensDay, not MaximaDay......but
what's a garderobe??

Of all the Q.Day threads I've seen, this honestly looks the most fun! This is the first time I wished I was there.

Prince Maurits is Gorgeous! :wub:

Princess Aime(?)looks extremely elegant with her baby bump. She was best dressed. :flowers:

I actually like P. Laurentien's outfit...but not the scarf-thing! :wacko:

And Mable's sunglasses have got to go. :lol:


Oh, I forgot to mention the photo of the choir singing while Queen Beatrix floated by and the photo of Mother and Son are very lovely.
 
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It looked marvellous, they all look so likeable, I'd have loved to be there
 
Her_Majesty said:
Laurentien's outfit looks okay... but this hat is simply awful!
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That hat is disgraceful. It looks like something you'd see a dancer on Solid Gold in the 80s wearing. Awful, awful awful.


Aimee looked beautiful and for once I didn't have an issue with Mabel. Quelle surprise.
 
Henri M. said:
I find it kind of sad. A gigantic turnout of the royal family. A massed turnout of the public in Woudirchem and 's-Hertogenbosch. Millions of people enjoying Queen's Day in all cities and villages in all parts of the kingdom. A visibly extremely enjoying royal family. Already since the Stadtholderly era in the 17th Century the birthday of the Prince was publicly celebrated.

And what is this all about? "We miss Máxima". Unbelievable. As if all this today was worthless without her or something... What would Máxima's attendance have added to this day? Is it about her garderobe? The athmosphere was 100% super. With Beatrix. With Mabel. With Laurentien. With Margriet. With Marilène. With Aimée. With Annette. And name them all.

:ermm:
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sorry, but Maxima is the crownprincess. she is the future queen consort and the mother of the future queen regnant. and she is a very big, very important part of the Dutch royal family.

it is only natural that people should miss her. i dont think expressing that sentiment in any way diminishes today's event.
 
Sister Morphine said:
That hat is disgraceful. It looks like something you'd see a dancer on Solid Gold in the 80s wearing. Awful, awful awful.


Aimee looked beautiful and for once I didn't have an issue with Mabel. Quelle surprise.
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my thoughts exactly! laurentien seems to have an affinity for those scarves. i dont understand it. they dont flatter her at all.

Aimee was so elegant. she seems to emulate Jackie O.

the queen looked lovely too.

and yes, mabel was quite restrained and tasteful. it's been awhile since I've absolutely hated something she's worn. this bodes well for the future. or maybe she's just regrouping for a second assault on our corneas. element of surprise and all that...let's hope not.
 
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pollyemma said:
sorry, but Maxima is the crownprincess. she is the future queen consort and the mother of the future queen regnant. and she is a very big, very important part of the Dutch royal family.

it is only natural that people should miss her. i dont think expressing that sentiment in any way diminishes today's event.
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Very well said. I look forward to these events, mostly because I want to see what she's wearing. Kinda silly I know, but I like her and I like to see what she's doing. So yeah, her not being there was a downer, but she had good reason not to be there and no one here is saying she should be there anyway. She just had a baby.
 
I love seeing all the pictures of Queen's Day! The DRF always seem to have such a good time. My pick for best dressed was Princess Aimee. I thought she looked so pretty and chic in her outfit. I also liked Marilene but I would have preferred if she had worn different shoes with her outfit. Laurentien was dressed well but that head thing has to go-it was horrible! What a shame that Maxima was not there but it was great to see eveyone else.
 
lovely to see so many royals enjoying themselves at this wonderful event.

stellad
 
Even without Máxima there, it still was a great Queen's Day you have to admit! And with Máxima away this year, the other princesses got more spotlight and more attention, which I think is good. A little variety never hurt anyone :flowers:
 
Koninginnedag / Koningsdag (Queen's Day / King's Day)

SASSY said:
I'm so glad you said this Henri! It's QueensDay, not MaximaDay......but
what's a garderobe??
Click to expand...

A garderobe is a complete outfit. In fact it refers to your whole collection of clothes, purses, shoes etc. A garderobe can also be the place in a theatre or cinema to hand over your coats.

When I say: 'the Princess' garderobe was very stylish' then I more or less say: the whole appearance (from head to toe) was stylish.

:flowers:

Prince Willem-Alexander has his birthday on April 27th. The expectation is that April 30th will remain the Sovereign's official birthday. And most likely it will remain 'Koninginnedag' (Queen's Day) as well. Like the State Opening of Parliament in September is still called 'Prince's Day', a remnant of the far past.

:flowers:
 
I got to see most of Queensday on television and it was rather fun.

Queen Beatrix walking ahead like mother Goose, Princess Margriet and her eldest son never to far away. The ' minor' royals are mopre in the back, even posing for pictures, shaking hands etc.

The visits are a sort of organised mess, but a rather charming mess. The turnout of crowds was impressive ('s Hertogenbosch was packed) and the entousiasm was great to. I wonder how this would work under Willem-Alexanders reign though, if they stick to this style of Queensday it would be difficult for him and Maxima to change their role in a more formal way.

I agree with Henri: we are celebrating the bithday of the head of state, not of Maxima. I was actually surprised (pleasantly) that the crowd seemed to get over their ' loss' quickly and cheered the other royals to. It was quite refreshing to see the television camera's focuss on other royals, instead of Maxima. I would love to see here there again next year though :)

-
As for the clothes: everybody dressed great IMHO. Margriet looked very elegant and modern, Mabel's clothes were a bit simular but looked nice to. All the van Vollenhoven ladies were dressed elegantly and subdued. HM was very much the Queen but the belle of the ball was Laurentien. A great youthfull outfit. It is hard to imagine that this is the same woman that appeared to us during her engagement.
 
Henri M. said:
.... the State Opening of Parliament in September is still called 'Prince's Day', a remnant of the far past.

:flowers:
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Sorry but do you know why is the State Opening of Parliament in The Netherlands called "Prince's Day" while the Sovereign is not a Prince.
 
HMQueenElizabethII said:
Sorry but do you know why is the State Opening of Parliament in The Netherlands called "Prince's Day" while the Sovereign is not a Prince.
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Prinsjesdag became the term used for the Opening of the States-General. Originally, Prinsjesdag (Day of the Princes) was the festive celebration of the birthday of the Stadtholder (= The Prince of Orange) who would make a triumphant ride through the Residence (The Hague).

The Stadtholder was usually joined in a glittering escorte of Princes (his sons, his brothers, uncles, nephews, foreign Princes) the one more glittering than the other. The pageantry and the glanz and gloria on such a day,with a long ceremonial cortege with carriages, mounted escortes and thousands of military is a derivate of this old tradition. See picture.

:flowers:
 
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Henri M. said:
Prinsjesdag became the term used for the Opening of the States-General. Originally, Prinsjesdag (Day of the Princes) was the festive celebration of the birthday of the Stadtholder (= The Prince of Orange) who would make a triumphant ride through the Residence (The Hague).

The Stadtholder was usually joined in a glittering escorte of Princes (his sons, his brothers, uncles, nephews, foreign Princes) the one more glittering than the other. The pageantry and the glanz and gloria on such a day,with a long ceremonial cortege with carriages, mounted escortes and thousands of military is a derivate of this old tradition. See picture.

:flowers:
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Thanks Henri. It sound as really colourful and glittering Royal event in The Netherlands. I have seen through the pics of the event from over the years, and it is always cheerful. But in the old tradition in the past times, did the royal ladies join in with the Princes in the carriages like nowadays as well?
 
No ladies until 1890

HMQueenElizabethII said:
Thanks Henri. It sound as really colourful and glittering Royal event in The Netherlands. I have seen through the pics of the event from over the years, and it is always cheerful. But in the old tradition in the past times, did the royal ladies join in with the Princes in the carriages like nowadays as well?
Click to expand...

In the Stadtholderly era (which lasted until 1795) and in the Kingdom (until the death of King Willem III in 1890) ladies never took part in these proceedings.

The very first time that a lady did attend Prinsjesdag was in 1849, when Queen Sophie of the Netherlands born Princess of Württemberg did attend the very first State Opening of Parliament by her spouse King Willem III.

The Queen was joined by her two sons, the Prince of Orange (9 years) and Prince Maurits (6 years) but they were not seated 'on the floor' but in a special constructed loge for the Queen and her escorte. This was only once.

In 1890 Queen Emma (spouse of King Willem III) was Regentess and she adressed the States-General in the name of the King. Her daughter and thronefollower Princess Wilhelmina (10 years old) joined her. This was the first time ladies came on 'the floor'

Since then, as until present day we always have had a female Sovereign so far, ladies were part of the proceedings on Prinsjesdag.
:flowers:
 
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Henri M. said:
Prince Willem-Alexander has his birthday on April 27th. The expectation is that April 30th will remain the Sovereign's official birthday. And most likely it will remain 'Koninginnedag' (Queen's Day) as well. Like the State Opening of Parliament in September is still called 'Prince's Day', a remnant of the far past.

:flowers:
Click to expand...

I was just thinking about this the other day is Queen's day forever. Or will there be a King's day someday way into the future. But I guess things will stay as they are. This is a little unique in a way I mean Willem will be the first King in many many years(decades). So I guess it would be to strange for the Netherlands to change too many things to accomodate Willem. Maybe people are very set in there ways about things like this. :flowers: Or maybe it's not about accomodating Willem but more about honoring the past history of the Queen's in Netherlands.

Also I'm wondering if Queen's Day attracts many foreigners, say an American like me. Would I be welcome and enjoy myself if someday in the future I wanted to travel to the Netherlands during this time to see this event firsthand? Just curious!
 
Aurora810 said:
I was just thinking about this the other day is Queen's day forever. Or will there be a King's day someday way into the future. But I guess things will stay as they are. This is a little unique in a way I mean Willem will be the first King in many many years(decades). So I guess it would be to strange for the Netherlands to change too many things to accomodate Willem. Maybe people are very set in there ways about things like this. :flowers: Or maybe it's not about accomodating Willem but more about honoring the past history of the Queen's in Netherlands.

Also I'm wondering if Queen's Day attracts many foreigners, say an American like me. Would I be welcome and enjoy myself if someday in the future I wanted to travel to the Netherlands during this time to see this event firsthand? Just curious!
Click to expand...

Queen's Day in Amsterdam attracts many tourists. Not that they will see the Queen or the royal family, but the city is immensely overcroweded with all sorts of open air concerts, activities, fun fairs, flea markets, etc. If you like a claustrophobic athmosphere and advance 100 metres in half an hour, then Amsterdam is the place to be: see link.

There is even a special Royal Decree which states that April 30th is Queen's Day. This is necessary because it is a national holiday and an obliged paid free day. So King Willem IV Alexander should command another Decree, which is unlikely to me. And his daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia, then the Princess of Orange and thronefollower is born on December 7th, usually an unsuitable day for a fancy-fair carnival-like celebration. Most likely also Queen Catharina-Amalia will celebrate her official birthday on April 30th.

Queen Wilhelmina, who reigned from 1890 to 1948, had her birthday on August 31st. Usually the last day of the school vacations and a perfect sunny moment to end the summer holidays, in a big and colourful cheer for the Queen and then attend the first school day of the year on September 1st.

:flowers:

The Royal Decree Queen Juliana issued in 1980:

Decree of April 24th 1980, State Gazette 1980, nr. 83

We, J U L I A N A, by the grace of God Queen of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Etc., Etc., Etc.,
On the nomination of Our Vice-Premier Minister, Minister of General Affairs ad interim d.d. April 23rd 1980, nr. 296229;
Considering that it is desirable, overseeing legal stipulations at issue, to designate a day on which the Queen's birthday will be celebrated;
So have We approved and understand, like We have approved and understand herewith:

Except for Sundays, in the future the Thirtieth of April will be designated as Queen's Day.

Our Premier Minister, Minister of General Affairs is charged with the enforcement of this Decree, which will be published in the State Gazette and in the Official Publications of the Netherlands Antilles.

Soestdijk Palace,
April 24th 1980

J U L I A N A


The Vice-Premier Minister,
Minister of General Affairs ad interim,

H. Wiegel
 
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Aurora810 said:
I was just thinking about this the other day is Queen's day forever. Or will there be a King's day someday way into the future. But I guess things will stay as they are. This is a little unique in a way I mean Willem will be the first King in many many years(decades). So I guess it would be to strange for the Netherlands to change too many things to accomodate Willem. Maybe people are very set in there ways about things like this. :flowers: Or maybe it's not about accomodating Willem but more about honoring the past history of the Queen's in Netherlands.

Also I'm wondering if Queen's Day attracts many foreigners, say an American like me. Would I be welcome and enjoy myself if someday in the future I wanted to travel to the Netherlands during this time to see this event firsthand? Just curious!
Click to expand...

yes the future of koninginedag is a very interesting question. I am sure the dutch court has been thinking about it and coming up with ideas. there are so many issues involved. will willem change the day of koninginedag to his own birthday?

I personally think he will keep it on April 30 and rename it "oranjedag" but that is my presonal theory...

on foreign visitors, I think the trend is growing. In the past several years I have read stories in US and UK papers about how fun Koninginedag is especially in Amsterdam. I am sure you would be very welcome and you'd have a great time.
 
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Many thanks for the pictures, I love this family, they look great! though I miss Maxima, hope to see her soon.:rolleyes:
 
Henri M. said:
Queen's Day in Amsterdam attracts many tourists. Not that they will see the Queen or the royal family, but the city is immensely overcroweded with all sorts of open air concerts, activities, fun fairs, flea markets, etc. If you like a claustrophobic athmosphere and advance 100 metres in half an hour, then Amsterdam is the place to be: see link.

There is even a special Royal Decree which states that April 30th is Queen's Day. This is necessary because it is a national holiday and an obliged paid free day. So King Willem IV Alexander should command another Decree, which is unlikely to me. And his daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia, then the Princess of Orange and thronefollower is born on December 7th, usually an unsuitable day for a fancy-fair carnival-like celebration. Most likely also Queen Catharina-Amalia will celebrate her official birthday on April 30th.

Queen Wilhelmina, who reigned from 1890 to 1948, had her birthday on August 31st. Usually the last day of the school vacations and a perfect sunny moment to end the summer holidays, in a big and colourful cheer for the Queen and then attend the first school day of the year on September 1st.

:flowers:

The Royal Decree Queen Juliana issued in 1980:

Decree of April 24th 1980, State Gazette 1980, nr. 83

We, J U L I A N A, by the grace of God Queen of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Etc., Etc., Etc.,
On the nomination of Our Vice-Premier Minister, Minister of General Affairs ad interim d.d. April 23rd 1980, nr. 296229;
Considering that it is desirable, overseeing legal stipulations at issue, to designate a day on which the Queen's birthday will be celebrated;
So have We approved and understand, like We have approved and understand herewith:

Except for Sundays, in the future the Thirtieth of April will be designated as Queen's Day.

Our Premier Minister, Minister of General Affairs is charged with the enforcement of this Decree, which will be published in the State Gazette and in the Official Publications of the Netherlands Antilles.

Soestdijk Palace,
April 24th 1980

J U L I A N A


The Vice-Premier Minister,
Minister of General Affairs ad interim,

H. Wiegel
Click to expand...


Thanks Henri! :flowers:
 
pollyemma said:
yes the future of koninginedag is a very interesting question. I am sure the dutch court has been thinking about it and coming up with ideas. there are so many issues involved. will willem change the day of koninginedag to his own birthday?

I personally think he will keep it on April 30 and rename it "oranjedag" but that is my presonal theory...

on foreign visitors, I think the trend is growing. In the past several years I have read stories in US and UK papers about how fun Koninginedag is especially in Amsterdam. I am sure you would be very welcome and you'd have a great time.
Click to expand...

Amsterdam is packed with tourists anyway these months, not only due to Queensday. I suspect that many/most didn't even know about it and got a rather strange surprise when they woke up in the morning. The tourists who do come usually comment that the event is much bigger then they expected. Personally I am not to fond of this part of Queensday: to crowded and to many drunk people.

-
Re: Queensday -> it is interesting what they will do with it in the future indeed. First of all I do agree with the general opinion here that it is expected that the CP will keep April 30th as official birthday. The naming of the day would be interesting. Kingsday would be my personal favourite but I wouldn't be surprised that a new King will surprise his mother during his enthronement and will say that to honour his 3 strong female predecessors the day will remain Queensday. A disadvantage might be that Maxima might be styled Queen to.
But the most interesting IMHO will be HOW they will celebrate it. Personally I haven't been a great fan of the present way, but after watching it on television today I must say that the public seems to love it and the crowd seems to get bigger each year. But Willem IV is free to change the way he will celebrate this day, like his mother did. I don't expect the traditional defile to return though.
 
I do think it will remain April 30 th. About its name, I also think it will remain as "Queen's Day", as a way to honour Beatrix and Juliana. Plus, in a couple of decades, Catharina-Amalia will give The Netherlands another Queen to celebrate... would be a little bit senseless to change it to "Koningdag" (King's Day), though "Oranjesdag" or "Oranjedag" would also do...
 
And to add a shallow note to this discussion: Prince Maurits seems to be getting better looking each year! Quite an enviable accomplishment. He certainly is the only of the royal men who knows how to dress with a bit of Italian flair and who doesn't wear over-sized suits.

-
My favourite moment of the day: the RF standing on the bordes of the city hall while the crowd and fanfare started singing/ playing the carnaval-song 'En nou die hendjes de lucht in' (and now those hands up in the air). Willem-Alexander was a natural... ;)
 
I'm glad the day turned out wonderful for Queen Beatrix. But I would have loved to see Maxima bust out the salsa.;)
 
Wow!! everybody looks great!! I love how princess Aimeé looks!, so natural and sweet! Of course we miss Máxima, but as Henri said it was Queen's Day, and the queen shone!:wub: I would like being there with you, guys!! Certeinly you had a great time!!


Marengo said:
And to add a shallow note to this discussion: Prince Maurits seems to be getting better looking each year! Quite an enviable accomplishment. He certainly is the only of the royal men who knows how to dress with a bit of Italian flair and who doesn't wear over-sized suits.
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Prince Maurits is soooooooo hanson!! He seems to be 33 years old...Princess Marlilene and prince Maurits make a great couple!!
 
I'm gonna add my personal opinion...I didn't like Laurentien's outfit, it was too "happy" for me... What I do loved was Mabel's jacket!
 
Marengo said:
Amsterdam is packed with tourists anyway these months, not only due to Queensday. I suspect that many/most didn't even know about it and got a rather strange surprise when they woke up in the morning. The tourists who do come usually comment that the event is much bigger then they expected. Personally I am not to fond of this part of Queensday: to crowded and to many drunk people.

-
Re: Queensday -> it is interesting what they will do with it in the future indeed. First of all I do agree with the general opinion here that it is expected that the CP will keep April 30th as official birthday. The naming of the day would be interesting. Kingsday would be my personal favourite but I wouldn't be surprised that a new King will surprise his mother during his enthronement and will say that to honour his 3 strong female predecessors the day will remain Queensday. A disadvantage might be that Maxima might be styled Queen to.
But the most interesting IMHO will be HOW they will celebrate it. Personally I haven't been a great fan of the present way, but after watching it on television today I must say that the public seems to love it and the crowd seems to get bigger each year. But Willem IV is free to change the way he will celebrate this day, like his mother did. I don't expect the traditional defile to return though.
Click to expand...

My prediction:

The brithday of the reigning King or Queen will be celebrated on April 30th, also during the kingships of King Willem IV Alexander (birthday April 27) and Queen Catharina-Amalia (birthday December 7).

The day will remain 'Koninginnedag' (Queen's Day), there will be no confusion with the spouse of the King when she will be styled as HRH The Princess of the Netherlands, as is the intention of the Royal House Act 2002.

The day will become 'Koningsdag' (King's Day) when the spouse of the King will be styled as HM Queen Máxima, despite the regulations in the Royal House Act 2002.

King Willem IV Alexander will probably maintain the tradition but add modern elements like a national celebration in a giant stadium, like was done on the eve of his wedding in 2002.

:flowers:
 
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