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

[Her_Majesty]

13-06-2006
Queen Beatrix visiting a Seniors-living-complex in Haarlem


ANP

[fanletizia]

Images from PPE

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by lucien

In the early fifties Prince Bernhard was given carte blanche,more or less,with a government and a family backing him wholeheardtedly in order to put post-war The Netherlands on the map again,both economically and politically.Seen in the light of that time and age,then as now,there were horrific world issues,the then Cold War being one of them,and a growing divide,then as now,between the US and Europe,it was Prince Bernhards idea to bridge these dividing issues.Over the years this conference has grown into one of the worlds most influential yet informal meetings.Beatrix as a Princess accompanied her father to those meetings several times during the fifties and onwards.

On the side,
It was upon returning from one of those meetings,in the US,that their aircraft got into horrific turbulence with an emergency landing as a result.During those bumpy minutes the bond between father and daughter grew even more stronger,if possible.

Great anecdote indeed! hadnt heard it either!

Also, it is said that Beatrix had been instrumental in the early sixties, after her graduation, in rallying and spearheading the Bilderberg efforts among her own generation, which she deemed uninterested in politics at the time.

As for Bernhard, I think what with the Bilderberg group and other efforts, he really made a great contribution to the world at large. just wanted to mention this, as he's often remembered for the Lockheed scandal and the more frivolous endeavors of his life, which is a shame.

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Thanks again for you eloquent post(s) Princess Olga, I couldn't agree more! I am glad that the Queen takes her unifying role so seriously instead of causing more polarisation, which disappointed me in one of her collegues.

Thanks for the kind words, Marengo! All I'm noticing is that while most of her peers these days only inspire increasing indifference in me, Beatrix is doing the exact opposite: the longer she's been on the Dutch throne, the more interesting she's become.

Especially in recent years, she's really shown she can listen to people and then make up her own, original, wise mind. She's really grown tremendously well into her role, again especially in recent years. This is why I have the feeling we haven't even seen the best of her yet, which is saying a lot, as she's done an awesome job over the years. She's evolving from being the queen of the Dutch into a true world leader. Mark my words, she's going to surprise us even more in the years to come, and the only negative about that one will be that Alexander will have some huge shoes to fill, in due course.

[Alexandria]

Originally Posted by princess olga

Especially in recent years, she's really shown she can listen to people and then make up her own, original, wise mind. She's really grown tremendously well into her role, again especially in recent years. This is why I have the feeling we haven't even seen the best of her yet, which is saying a lot, as she's done an awesome job over the years. She's evolving from being the queen of the Dutch into a true world leader. Mark my words, she's going to surprise us even more in the years to come,

I think some of us here can form a Beatrix Mutual Adoration Society! :) I feel the exact same way about Beatrix. A few years ago when I started following the Dutch royals she seemed plain and boring. There wasn't much about her that was charismatic to me, but then I started reading the anecdotes here from everyone and all the little stories about how caring and considerate and thoughtful Beatrix is really touched me. I think she is someone who is very conscientious about her role as queen and is working hard to unite all of Dutch society, whether it be classes or religious factors.

I could not have more admiration for Queen Beatrix. The more I learn about her the more impressed I am.

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by Alexandria

I think some of us here can form a Beatrix Mutual Adoration Society! :)

LOL yes indeed! Actually I think we'd attract quite a following!

Originally Posted by Alexandria

I feel the exact same way about Beatrix. A few years ago when I started following the Dutch royals she seemed plain and boring.

yes especially compared to her much admired mother, Juliana, who was very much a what-you-see-is-what-you-get type person. Beatrix is more guarded, and while that's understandable when everyone you meet wants a piece of you, I think it's also contributed to an image that isn't quite the complete story. And you're right, it doesn't take that much more information to realize Beatrix is quite something else. I'm totally with you: the more I see/read of her, the more impressed I am!

[lucien]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Thanks Lucien, I never heard that story about Benrhard and Beatrix before! It must have been a scary experience. I even get upset with the slightest turbulence in the airplane.

Upset?I just change colour....:o
The above happened in the fifties,when propeller aircraft took you from here to there if they didn't give up in mid-air.They could'nt fly high altitudes or long distance like now.So mostly a flight was a bumpy right as they also were unable to avoid depressions/bad weather.Guess that would find us both holding hands,you wibbly wobbly and moi green,or any other colour availeble in the spectrum...

I'm sure there are/must be many more anecdotes concerning father and daughter,as they were what we call here;"Twee handen op een buik",(two hands on one belly,I know that sounds/looks silly in english),but voila,that's how it was.

Over the years HM has become hugely respected and loved.Not that that was expected at the beginning of her Reign,in general people thought of her as haughty and too distant.But with her late husband Prince Claus as her closest adviser/supporter she emerged into who she is now.

The start of her Reign saw a re-styling of the Court on a huge scale,and that wasn't taken easily,allthough necessary to transfer the Court into the smooth operated one it is now.Times had changed,from the "easy going" call me madam attitude of her beloved mother,HM wished to be addressed as Majesty,causing a slight stur in the process,as we dutch go by the;"We're dutch,act normal,that's silly enough".But she has proven to be right to put the Monarch/Monarchy at it's rightfull place.She also has an almost legendary way of preparing herself for functions,any function,going into great detail,miticulous even.Only to often find herself better informed then those who should,leaving them with more then just a blush,and herself with a grin and/or "The Eye",(Her most disapproving look that would set you off and run,while you can't).

Still,HM is a little shy at heart,a great heart,directed towards her Family and to all that live here.

And she can be self-critical as well,

At a certain jeweller,she,still a Princess,showed great interest in a perticular set of earrings,but she wished them to be slightly altered this way or that and could'nt really make up her mind.The what if/yes but lasted "long" even to her,so she exclaimed;"Gosh,I'm sorry,I can be such a frumpy type"(Ik kan zo'n trut zijn).I'd say it was more out of her sense for detail.....

[lucien]

HM was on a working visit at the Veterans Institute,Doorn this afternoon.
HM had talks with older and younger veterans and was informed about
recent developments within the dutch veteran community.
The Institute was opened on may 10th 2001 in the presence of the late Prince Bernhard.

Have not yet seen pics tho.Purple_Platinum,Marengo,anyone?:)

Found one;
http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/content.jsp?objectid=16115

[lucien]

HM has received the Ambassador of Malta,HE mr.A.Strickland for a farewell lunch at Huis ten Bosch Palace today.

Yesterday HM received the german ambassador,HE Dr.E.Duckwitz for a farewell lunch at Huis ten Bosch Palace.

Tight schedule I would say....

[Marengo]

I didn't find anything from the visit to Doorn, Lucien. But workingvisits aren't always attended by the press. I do like it that she visited the old veterans who must feel a bit orphanned after Prince Bernhard died. So again, she is very much her fathers daughter!!!

A pity the german ambassador is leaving, he was such a gentlemen (as are all the german ambassadors I can remember) Didn't he have a dutch wife?

Here some pictures of HM on tuesday, opening a service-center in Haarlem (first 2: ANP, the opthers from Seegerpress) The Queen at least wore this hat during the civil wedding of Constantijn and during the state visit to Russia (and on some other occasions as well I believe):

[lucien]

On july 1st HM,accompanied by TRH the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima will attend the celebrations on occasion of the Silver Wedding of TRH the Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.

[Maxie]

That's one daring Queen! I wouldn't want to hold such a scary bird for even half a second!

[fanletizia]

27-06-2006 Muiderslot Queen Beatrix has re-opened the famous castle Muiderslot in Muiden. Prince Floris

from ppe and anp

[Her_Majesty]

Wow! Great pictures of Queen Beatrix with this Bird!
They both look very Majesty-like.
I like her orange hat! :)

[fanletizia]

More of PPE

[Marengo]

The Queen looks great and seems to be enjoying herself :)

[fanletizia]

June 27

Koningin Beatrix reikt dinsdagmiddag op Paleis Huis ten Bosch te Den Haag de eremedaille voor kunst en wetenschap behorende bij de Huisorde van Oranje uit aan Prof. Dr. H.W. van Os, hoogleraar Kunst en Samenleving aan de Universiteit van Amsterdam. Prof. Van Os heeft deze onderscheiding ontvangen voor zijn grote verdiensten - nationaal en internationaal - op kunsthistorisch terrein. In de achtergrond prinses Maxima

from anp

[fanletizia]

June 28
Her Majesty the Queen distributes the awards for the Silver Carnations 2006, at the Hague.

from anp

[Her_Majesty]

Beautiful Pictures of Queen Beatrix! She looks so relaxed and happy!
She seems to be such a warm-hearted person! :)

[Marengo]

She seems very relaxed indeed, and very well spirited lately. Well, she wasn't known as 'Prinses glimlach' (Princess smile) on the dutch antilles for nothing :).