Official Visit from Sweden to The Netherlands: April 4-5, 2014

[Sarahbellar]

The Queen and King at the museum they are visiting today.
https://twitter.com/royaltynl/status/452356599504711680
With the Netherlands couple.
https://twitter.com/royaltynl/status/452372679027589120

[MagMil]

day 2
PPE Agency

[carlota]

nice, i like that shade of blue on maxima!

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Beatrix abolished a lot of the decorum in the first years of her reign (note that it was after the 'red' seventies). Now some things seem to be upgraded indeed. The use of tiaras at the pre-inauguration dinner was already a big surprise. Perhaps WA and Máxima were inspired by their visits abroad: showing some glitter doesn't harm the monarchy. The sitting around a table after welcoming the guests is customary in many monarchies in the Middle East and elsewhere. Next time I hope they will put some lights on though.

A very welcome change,lets hope some of the other Royal Houses follow suit

[wartenberg7]

I like this "galactic" blue carpet at the hall where the banquet was held! Is it new? Never mentioned it during Beatrix´reign.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by wartenberg7

I like this "galactic" blue carpet at the hall where the banquet was held! Is it new? Never mentioned it during Beatrix´reign.

It is not new. It was made between 1996 and 1998 by the Dutch artist Ria van Eyk. The marble floor of the Citizens' Hall of the Royal Palace shows the 17th C maps of the earth and the space. The new carpet depicts the Milk Way with the Hale-Bopp Comete. Queen Beatrix was so impressed and happy with the result that the artist was awarded the Honorary Medal for Arts and Sciences in the House Order of Orange, a very rare honour.

Picture from the Reformatorisch Dagblad - Queen Beatrix and artist Ria van Eyk admire the new carpet:

http://www.refdag.nl/oud/foto/981029binfo01.jpg

Picture from ANP Historisch Archief - the carpet which was used before this one was more classic:

http://www.anp-archief.nl/attachment/240936

[wartenberg7]

[QUOTE=Marengo;1653771]Beatrix abolished a lot of the decorum in the first years of her reign (note that it was after the 'red' seventies). Now some things seem to be upgraded indeed. The use of tiaras at the pre-inauguration dinner was already a big surprise. Perhaps WA and Máxima were inspired by their visits abroad: showing some glitter doesn't harm the monarchy.


Indeed, on the contrary! It doesn´t harm, in my opinion it´s essential! I think if a nation is in majority in favour of a monarchy, it WANTS some pomp and circumstance. Nothing exaggerated or too posh, but with royal dignity and style.
If I was living in Spain, I truly would ask myself why we have a monarchy if it looks like a republic, with the exception of having a non-elected family representing the country. I have the feeling that the king of Spain might be thinking, due to the latest scandals, the less glitter the less "provocation" to a republican movement.
I never understood why, for instance, King Albert and Queen Paola, an each other loving, very glamourus couple back in the 1960s, didn´t celebrate major birthdays or the golden wedding anniversary with their fellow european counterparts...?! I mean, putting on some orders and jewels doesn´t hurt anyone! It´s there to be used!
Success of the institution proves scandinavian monarchies (may be especially Denmark) right, that remembering some royal or national milestones with royal glamour supports the monarchy and doesn´t weaken it!

[Duc_et_Pair]

To defend the Spanish monarchy, it is often far more glittering and colourful than pictures make us believe. Again and again we see Los Reyes and Los Príncipes standing on a dais, in front of La Zarzuela or greeting people. But so now and then TVE Internacional shows the whole image and then we see imposing royal sites, grand military ceremonial complete with mounted escortes, very regal looking tapestries and gobelins used as "decor", complete with bowing and handkissing. The reception of new ambassadors in Spain is probably the most grand and most ceremonial of all monarchies but we simply do not get that image.

Picture from the website of Carlos Martínez Rodriguez, an expert in protocol and communication - it shows the grandeur of the reception of an ambassador. Click on the picture to expand in full:

http://carlosmartinezrodriguez.files...enciales-1.jpg

[wartenberg7]

Yes, but standing on the dais in front of the thrones at a state visit is long ago. And I cannot recall any greater celebrations of birthdays, jubilees, anniversaries.

The embassador´s reception looks nice, though!

[LadyFinn]

Swedish Royal couple visit the Rijksmuseum
Photo
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...91745811_n.jpg

More photos from the Rijksmuseum
Koningsparen nemen kijkje bij ‘Claudius Civilus - Eed der Bataven’ (fotoserie) - Koninklijk huis - Reformatorisch Dagblad

The Royal Couples were shown the official Treaty of Diplomatic Relations signed on 5 april 1614.
Koningsparen bekijken verdrag - Vorsten

[iceflower]

.

Here's another gallery from today:



** dpp: Swedigh King and Queen visit Dutch King and Queen day 2 - 5 April 2014 **


And an article from Hola:



** Máxima y Guillermo de Holanda celebran con los Reyes de Suecia 400 años de relaciones diplomáticas ** translation **

[LadyFinn]

From the first day
Swedish King and Queen visit Holland - Picture Press Holland

Visit to Rijksmuseum
Swedish and Dutch Royals at Rijksmuseum Amsterdam - Picture Press Holland

King Carl Gustaf stumbled in his words in his speech
"Beatrix is the godmother of crown prince Victoria", said the king in his speech.
Kungens groda under banketten Kungligt

Video of the visit to Rijksmuseum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9JwIXxwk8I

[MagMil]

Kungaparet besökerÂ*Nederländerna – dag 2 - Sveriges Kungahus [NS4 version]

[wartenberg7]

King Carl Gustaf stumbled in his words in his speech¨
"Beatrix is the godmother of crown prince Victoria", said the king in his speech.
Kungens groda under banketten Kungligt[/QUOTE]


Not the 1st time he stumbled at a speech...

[iceflower]

Well, it could have been worse

Here's another nice gallery of the two days:


** parismatch: Silvia et Carl Gustaf, invités d’honneur de Maxima et Willem **

[LadyFinn]

SVT was filming the visit, it is included to the program "The year with the Royal Family".
Photos from TV-producer Sara Bull's Instagram
http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws...2e208cea_8.jpg
http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws...7c1fe9df_8.jpg
http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws...c9cebbb8_8.jpg

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by LadyFinn

SVT was filming the visit, it is included to the program "The year with the Royal Family".
Photos from TV-producer Sara Bull's Instagram
http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws...2e208cea_8.jpg

Nice box of Merci Chocolates for Maxima in the photo above,early Easter Present

[White Princess]

Statebanquet picture (from PPE Agency) http://ppe-agency.com/500px/Apr2014/PPE14040445.jpg

So what's the point of Beatrix stepping down if she keeps attending official ceremonies? (I'm glad to see her, though, but I think Queen Máxima looks very overshadowed by her presence)

[LadyFinn]

Originally Posted by White Princess

Statebanquet picture (from PPE Agency) http://ppe-agency.com/500px/Apr2014/PPE14040445.jpg

So what's the point of Beatrix stepping down if she keeps attending official ceremonies? (I'm glad to see her, though, but I think Queen Máxima looks very overshadowed by her presence)

I don't see that princess Beatrix overshadows Maxima by attending official events. King Willem-Alexander obviously wants that she is present. I only see family unity, love and respect from everyone. And that is heart-warming.

A video from the arrival
Här möts kungaparen i Amsterdam - Nyheterna - tv4.se

[Sarahbellar]

http://instagram.com/p/mYMw14w0he/
A photo on Instagram of the reception.