State Visit from The King and Queen of The Netherlands: October 23-24, 2018

[Somebody]

Princess Mabel seems to be missing in the list... While she was considered the third most important guest on the Dutch side.

[Mirabel]

I was wondering why Princess Michael was present, yet her husband was not?

She seems to be invited to all the state banquets, yet I've often heard that the rest of the RF does not like her. So why is she always included?

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Mirabel

I was wondering why Princess Michael was present, yet her husband was not?

She seems to be invited to all the state banquets, yet I've often heard that the rest of the RF does not like her. So why is she always included?

Prince Friso, Mabel's husband, passed away 5 years ago.

[TLLK]

I was wondering why Princess Michael was present, yet her husband was not?

I'm guessing that Prince Michael had a previously planned event that evening. Princess Michael has also been included in State Banquets when there are German speaking guests.

[Mirabel]

Originally Posted by muriel

Prince Friso, Mabel's husband, passed away 5 years ago.

What does that have to do with Princess Michael?

[andrew]

She speaks German. But I guess every Dutchmen speaks English, so...

[Princess Larisa]

Court Circular 24th October:
The King and Queen of the Netherlands, accompanied by The Earl and Countess of Wessex, this morning attended a Breakfast given by the Lord Mayor and the City of London Corporation at Mansion House, London EC4, and were received by the Rt. Hon. the Lord Mayor (Alderman Charles Bowman).

Their Majesties, accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses, subsequently attended the UK-Netherlands Innovation Showcase at Mansion House and were received by Mr. Andrew Mitchell (Her Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Europe) and Mr. Graham Stuart MP (Minister for Investment, Department for International Trade).

The King and Queen of the Netherlands, accompanied by The Earl and Countess of Wessex, afterwards visited HNLMS ZEELAND, moored alongside HMS BELFAST, The Queen's Walk, London SE1, and were received by The Duke of Kent, the Executive Director (Commercial and Operations) of Imperial War Museums (Mr. John Brown) and Captain Wolter Sillevis Smitt (Defence and Naval Attaché, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands).

The King and Queen of the Netherlands, accompanied by The Earl and Countess of Wessex, later visited Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, London SW9, and were received by the Managing Director of Make Shift (Mr. James Leay) and the Mayor of Lambeth (Councillor Christopher Wellbelove).

Their Majesties this afternoon visited No. 10 Downing Street and had talks with the Prime Minister and subsequently were entertained to Luncheon by the Prime Minister on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands, with the Dutch Suite in attendance, left Buckingham Palace later upon the conclusion of the State Visit to The Queen.

[Rudolph]

‘His Excellency Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar (Adjutant-General to The King of the Netherlands and Chief of the Military Household)’

Can somebody tell me this gentleman’s precedence? He was accompanied by The Duchess of Cambridge so I assume he’s high ranking.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

‘His Excellency Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar (Adjutant-General to The King of the Netherlands and Chief of the Military Household)’

Can somebody tell me this gentleman’s precedence? He was accompanied by The Duchess of Cambridge so I assume he’s high ranking.

The King's Household is divided in a Civiele Huis which is led by the Grootmeester (the Lord Chamberlain) and a Militair Huis which is led by the Adjudant-Generaal. So we can say he is the military equivalent of the Lord Chamberlain.

At the Investiture of the King the Adjudant-Generaal was directly behind the King on the dais. Also in ceremonial proceedings, he rides directly behind the monarch (see picture, a previous Adjudant-Generaal under Queen Beatrix).

http://www.militairruiterbewijs.nl/image.php?id=181

[MARG]

There were a couple interesting or amusing things I noted on this visit. The first was the sheer splendour of the State Welcome and how I had almost forgotten how majestic it is and that while there have been acts of terror in European countries and fewer in the US but they eschew the carriage ride in favour of a chopper on the front lawn! Even "The Beast" processing down the Mall could not compete.

The ease with which both King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima carried off their welcome kisses to HM and Camilla considering the wide (and I do mean wide) disparity in height, especially when they were both wearing a brimmed hat, was nothing less than perfect. Of course, I suppose they both had plenty of practice with Queen Beatrix.

I loved that Maxima both wears and carries gloves.

[Dman]

I’m just noticing that a single rail was instantly provided for The Queen when exiting the carriage upon returning to Buckingham Palace. That was a brilliant idea.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dW-449...ature=youtu.be

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Although Queen Maxima didn’t get any British order., her husband was given the Garter, which is the oldest and most prestigious non-ecclesiastical order of knighthood in Europe ( the Spanish Golden Fleece is pretty much the only currently active order in the continent that comes somewhat closer in prestige). That in itself is enough reason IMHO for the King to reciprocate giving out Dutch orders to other BRF members. It surprises me that he didn’t do it especially considering how “ generous” he was in comparison in Denmark.

Again, with all due respect, Maxina’s being snubbed is not a sufficient excuse for the King’s unwillingness to decorate other British royals. Queen Letizia didn’t get any British order either, but, King Felipe still decorated Anne, Andrew and Harry with the Order of Isabella the Catholic, albeit at a lower grade I think.

Imho that is perfectly reasonable: the queen already has the highest Dutch order and is not willing to give the king's wife any order out of some weird principle, so, no reason to start decorating royal highnesses with Dutch orders - W-A could probably have upgraded Charles to the Order of Orange-Nassau (not that much of an upgrade; but it's something), but probably intended to wait until Charles becomes king himself, so he can be given the Order of the Dutch Lion (which is the same order that Máxima has).

Let's just hope that Charles reverses his mother's policy and starts handing out orders to wives of kings and not only to husbands of queens. In that case, I am sure the visiting (or receiving) royals will be much more willing to also decorate other family members - as there would be some equality.