Queen Beatrix, Current Events 3 (June 2006 - May 2007)

[lucien]

The new government was sworn-in by HM The Queen this afternoon at Huis ten Bosch Palace.

PPE Agency

Courtesy PPE.

[Avalon]

Queen Beatrix poses with the new government of The Netherlands on the steps of House Ten Bosch Palace. Den Haag, The Netherlands - 22.02.07

Pictures:
Queen Beatrix with the new Government
Queen Beatrix with the new Government 2

Gallery of pictures from Wenn

[Marengo]

That suit looks very well on HM, it seems flattering. However a brighter colour would have made her stand out more, between all the dark suits of the gentlemen.
I wish they hadput Maria van der Hoeven (Economic affairs) on the first row though, she seems to be wearing something simular as the Duchess of Brabant recently (the fur neckline), and is usually an elegant woman IMHO.

[BeatrixFan]

I can't imagine Queen Elizabeth doing this. For one thing you wouldn't see her behind John Prescott. I think it's good, it shows that the Queen is directly linked and involved with the Government.

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by lucien

The new government was sworn by HM The Queen this afternoon at Huis ten Bosch Palace.

PPE Agency

Courtesy PPE.

This picture is article 42 of the Constitution in the flesh:

Article 42
1) The Government comprises of The King and the ministers;
2) The King is inviolable: the ministers are responsible.





The oath
In the Oranjesael (Orange Hall) of Huis ten Bosch Palace,
the ministers have solemnly pledged, in person and in the hands of Her Majesty the Queen, the following Oath:

"I swear that I, to get appointed as Minister, nor directly neither indirectly, under which name or any pretence whatsoever, have given or promised any gift or privilege;

I swear that I, for doing or not doing something in this Office, nor directly neither indirectly, under which name or any pretence whatsoever, have given or have promised, will give or will promise any gift or privilege;

I swear allegiance and loyalty to The Queen, to the Statute for the Kingdom and to the Constitution;

I swear that I will faithfully perform all the duties of my Office;

So help me God Almighty!"

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

I can't imagine Queen Elizabeth doing this. For one thing you wouldn't see her behind John Prescott. I think it's good, it shows that the Queen is directly linked and involved with the Government.

The picture would be incomplete without her as the Constitution states 'The Government comprises of The King and the ministers' (article 42).

This is also a significant difference with most monarchies. Only Luxembourg has the same system (inherited from the Dutch rule until 1890).
Queen Beatrix can not say 'My Government': she herself is IN the Government.... And there is also no 'Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition' as the opposition is against the Government. From which the Queen herself is part of....

There have been attempts to get the Queen 'out of the Government' because it gives her a lof of uncontrollable influence, but there is no desire to change it. The parties and the people are satisfied with the present status quo which has crystallized so since 1848.

[Maxie]

Originally Posted by Marengo

That suit looks very well on HM, it seems flattering. However a brighter colour would have made her stand out more, between all the dark suits of the gentlemen.
I wish they hadput Maria van der Hoeven (Economic affairs) on the first row though, she seems to be wearing something simular as the Duchess of Brabant recently (the fur neckline), and is usually an elegant woman IMHO.

Isn't the order in which the ministers are placed determined by rules? I heard something about it on tv last week. But of course I agree, I would have loved to see Van der Hoeven at the first row, her fur thing looks interesting. She should have switched places with Ter Horst (the purple one). It wouldn't have been too bad to see less of her purple attire.

[The Watcher]

Huge picture of the government

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/8...esgrootin7.jpg
anp

[pollyemma]

hmm...not a big fan of the suit. HM wears a lot of blue - that is understandeable considering how regal of a color it is and how well it suits virtually any occassion. but I think it often makes her look a bit washed out.

[sara1981]

Balkenende IV sworn in today
Balkenende IV sworn in today, Dutch News, The Netherlands, Holland, Expatica

Queen Beatrix will swear in the fourth cabinet to be led by Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende this afternoon

[lucien]

Some more pictures:

Royal Images

Courtesy Royalimages.

[juliana]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

I can't imagine Queen Elizabeth doing this. For one thing you wouldn't see her behind John Prescott. I think it's good, it shows that the Queen is directly linked and involved with the Government.

Not sure what you are referring to here- have I missed out some of the photos posted?

[lucien]

HM attended the start of the 4th International Polar Year at the Nature Museum,Leeuwarden this afternoon.

PPE Agency

Courtesy PPE.

[lucien]

HM attended the National Boomfeestdag,Amsterdam.

PPE Agency

Courtesy PPE/Albert Nieboer/Edwin Veloo.

[Henri M.]

Her Majesty The Queen of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau
Her Majesty Queen Fabiola of the Belgians
His Royal Highness The Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Duke of Nassau
Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Duchess of Nassau
were guest of honour on a matinee given in the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

I'm happy that Queen Beatrix sticks to her own standards: the Queen of the Netherlands always and ever wears a hat and gloves during formal day events. Period.

[lucien]

Oh I agree Henri,every inch un Reine.

[ahtikavalentine]

The queen always looks great!!

I love her hats, I also think that she's an icon of elegance and glamour. She looks really nice

[barber]

Nice to see Beatrix when she was 18 years! she wores the juwels often !!

[Henri M.]

All royal families are related in one or another way. Johan Willem Friso of Nassau, Prince of Orange 1687-1711 (a direct ancestor of Queen Beatrix) holds the position of being 'the father of Europe'. He holds the position of being an ancestor to all currently (and most formerly) reigning European royal families.

Queen Beatrix and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark are second cousins once removed.
They are descendants of Friedrich Franz II Grand-Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Queen Beatrix and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden are third cousins.
They are descendants of Georg Victor Fürst zu Waldeck und Pyrmont.

Queen Beatrix and King Harald V of Norway are third cousins once removed.
They are descendants of Wilhelm Prince of Nassau-Weilburg, Duke of Nassau.

Queen Beatrix and King Albert II of the Belgians are third cousins once removed.
They are descendants of Wilhelm Prince of Nassau-Weilburg, Duke of Nassau.

Queen Beatrix and King Juan Carlos of Spain are fourth cousins.
They are descendants of Friedrich Ludwig Grand-Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Queen Beatrix and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Duke of Nassau are fourth cousins.
They are descendants of Wilhelm Prince of Nassau-Weilburg.

Queen Beatrix and King Constantinos II are fourth cousins.
They are descendants of Friedrich Wilhelm III, King of Prussia.

Queen Beatrix and King Mihai I of Romania are fourth cousins.
They are descendants of King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia.

Queen Beatrix and Dom Duarte, Duke of Bragança are fourth cousins once removed.
They are descendants of Karl Ludwig, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

Queen Beatrix and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom are fifth cousins.
They are descendants of Friedrich II Eugen, Duke of Würtemberg.

Queen Beatrix and Prince Hans Adam are fifth cousins.
They are descendants of Karl Ludwig Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

Queen Beatrix and King Simeon II of Bulgaria are fifth cousins.
They are descendants of Friedrich Wilhelm, Prince of Nassau-Weilburg.

Queen Beatrix and Prince Albert of Monaco are seventh cousins.
They are descendants of Ludwig IX, Landgrave of Hessen-Darmstadt.

[Aurora810]

Wow, that is great info to read Henri! You're a rock star.

And as far as the "father in law" of Europe that is known to be Christian IX of Denmark. Right?