The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima, Current Events 1 (January 2003 - May 2004)

[sara1981]

I like Maxima she beautiful Princess, blonde like as Princess Diana! she is Dutch Princess!

Sara Boyce

[thissal]

Interesting question Sky. The impression I get from both Maxima and Mette-Merit is that they don't genuinely enjoy the princess routine; it causes them undue stress. Similarly, Prince William obviously doesn't enjoy being a prince, but Prince Harry does. It is too bad that the role can't go to people who want and would actually enjoy the royal lifestyle under the constant spotlight.

[Alexandria]

Originally posted by thissal@Jul 31st, 2003 - 12:44 pm
The impression I get from both Maxima and Mette-Merit is that they don't genuinely enjoy the princess routine; it causes them undue stress.

Actually, I got the opposite impression from Maxima. I think she rather enjoys being in the spotlight and the attention she gets -- most of the time any how. I think she doesn't like it when she has is not prepared for it or when she is with her family or shopping and "candid" pictures of her are snapped, which is quite understandable. I'd feel the same in her position. But when she's dolled herself up and looks smashing (most of the time&#33 I think she quite likes the attention and the camera's flashes.

Mette-Marit on the other hand seems to dislike it all the time, whether she is prepared or not. It all seems to be quite the nuissance for her.

[nicole]

I think it's really sad that there are people that have issues that Maxima is not "Dutch" enough or that she's Latin or whatever rubbish they want to say. I consider that to be racism and prejudice and I think that it's just wrong that people are judging her that way. Also what her father did had NOTHING to do with her. She shouldn't have to carry the wrong doing of her father. Prince W-A and the Queen seem to think so too.

I think she's a wonderful princess no matter what her hair color is--she would be just as great if she were a brunette--I think she's her own special person and I think the Dutch people are VERY lucky to have her as their princess.

I remember when Queen Noor became a queen in Jordan the people thought that she wasn't Arabic enough or that she was not of pure Arabic blood and therefore should not be their queen--but Noor did so much amazing things in and for Jordan and I think it's a real shame that so many people spent so much time judging how she's different to them than seeing what great things she was doing for her and their country.

So please let's stop this prejudice--we are more alike than different, the world is getting smaller, more people from different countries/cultures/races are starting to mix and if we don't realize the great in that--well then it's just sad for those people that will not accept people that are a little bit different because if we were all the same then it would be a very boring planet.

Please don't' take this as an attach because that's not my intention--it just really bothers me when I hear people say that someone is not good enough because they don't physically fit the mold that some people have set for them.

Nicole

[thissal]

Originally posted by Alexandria@Aug 1st, 2003 - 5:48 am
But when she's dolled herself up and looks smashing (most of the time&#33 I think she quite likes the attention and the camera's flashes.

Mette-Marit on the other hand seems to dislike it all the time, whether she is prepared or not. It all seems to be quite the nuissance for her.

I can see where Maxima likes the attention much of the time. I was thinking about how she said one time all the pomp and circumstance associated with royalty was bizarre--when first exposed to it. I'd have to agree with her. It would totally freak me out -- liking my privacy as I do.

Of course Mette-Marit has learned to dislike it perhaps due to all the vicious criticism she had to endure just because she fell in love with someone. She had to be treated for severe depression as a result of this before she married the prince. People can be so thoughtless in how mean they are sometimes. :(

[thissal]

Originally posted by nicole@Aug 1st, 2003 - 11:04 pm
I think it's really sad that there are people that have issues that Maxima is not "Dutch" enough or that she's Latin or whatever rubbish they want to say.

This is rubbish because most of royalty are from foreign lands, or at least they used to be. This is because of the demand that they only marry into royalty, and to marry royalty within their own country would come too close to incest. (Not only that, but royalty is often thought of as other-worldly due to the devine right of kings or some nonsense like that making them beyond human.)

This became obvious when I was surprised to learn the Greek royal family had no Greek blood, even after ~150 years, but then learned this is the norm among various royal families rather than the exception. It could be the Dutch royal family has little to no real Dutch blood either. I think I heard there is not a real Dane in the Danish royal family. Norway has one of the few royal families with genuine Norwegian blood, and see how much criticism they got in the process. B)

[paulette]

I really admire them talk about how strong are they amidst of criticisms...For me they are my favorites.. Bravery is one of the ingredients to make a nearly perfect Princess though...

[Helena]

well....as a dutch woman, I must say that the general impression of Maxima in our country is VERY postive...
she is even by far the most popular royal according to the opinion polls...and almost all people who are speaking about her realy like her...het spontanity...her excellent knowledge of the dutch language etc. She is behaving very natural...and does not seem uncomfortable with all the attention of the public and the press...and her radiant smile looks genuine & she looks genuinely interested in the peolpe that she meet....although SOME dutch persons had there reserves about Maxima in the beginning....since her engagement...almost no negative remarks about her are made in the press...and even 'on the street'....

[Julia]

Hello Helena and thank you for your comments. It's wonderful to hear that the Dutch are proud of their new princess. All of my Dutch friends have had nothing but good, positive things to say about her. She's really wonderful.

[Mandy]

August 6, 2003 - Willem-Alexander and Maxima vacationing in Italy.
www.lifepress.com

[Tina]

Gericht hebt Fotografierverbot um Kronprinzen-Villa auf

Den Haag (dpa) - Der niederländische Kronprinz Willem-Alexander und seine Frau Prinzessin Máxima haben vor Gericht eine Schlappe erlitten. Ein generelles Fotografierverbot um ihre Villa Eikenhorst bei Den Haag, das die Gemeinde Wasenaar auf ihren Wunsch hin Ende Juni verhängt hatte, ist am Mittwoch vom Richter mit sofortiger Wirkung aufgehoben worden. Das Verbot verstoße gegen die Pressefreiheit und gehe in dieser Form zu weit, befand der Richter. Wassenaar erwägt nach Angaben des Bürgermeisters, in Berufung zu gehen.

Den Gemeindevätern hielt das Gericht vor, das Recht auf freie Meinungsäußerung umfasse auch das Recht auf freie Nachrichtenbeschaffung mit der Kamera. Zudem hätten ihre Anwälte nicht deutlich gemacht, wie die Sicherheit des Thronfolgerpaares in Gefahr gerate, wenn von allgemein zugänglichen Wegen um das Landgut Film- oder Fotoaufnahmen gemacht würden. Vor dem Verkünden eines generellen Fotografierverbots hätte die Gemeinde andere Möglichkeiten wie das Sperren von Wegen prüfen sollen, erläuterte der Richter.

Die niederländische Journalistengewerkschaft NVJ und die Vereinigung von Chefredakteuren hatten gemeinsam mit einem Antrag auf Einstweilige Verfügung die Aufhebung des Verbots verlangt. Journalisten und Chefredakteure hatten in dem Verfahren ihren Wunsch nach einer einvernehmlichen Regelung mit dem Informationsamt von Hof und Regierung bekräftigt. Eef Brouwers, Chef der Behörde, äußerte nach dem Urteil die Hoffnung auf Selbstkontrolle der Medien und Zurückhaltung beim Beobachten von Personen in ihrer Privatsphäre.

© dpa - Meldung vom 06.08.2003 17:05 Uhr

web.de

[Alexandria]

Polfoto 07-08-2003 © QUEEN INTERNATIONAL REF ITF PORT ERCOLE, ITALY, 7TH AUGUST 2003 A VERY HAPPY AND PREGNANT PRINCESS MAXIMA ZORREGUIETA AND PRINCE WILLIAM ALEXANDER OF THE NETHERLANDS, ON HOLLIDAYS.

Polfoto 07-08-2003 © QUEEN INTERNATIONAL REF ITF PORT ERCOLE, ITALY, 7TH AUGUST 2003 A VERY HAPPY AND PREGNANT PRINCESS MAXIMA ZORREGUIETA AND PRINCE WILLIAM ALEXANDER OF THE NETHERLANDS, ON HOLLIDAYS.

Polfoto 07-08-2003 © QUEEN INTERNATIONAL REF ITF PORT ERCOLE, ITALY, 7TH AUGUST 2003 A VERY HAPPY AND PREGNANT PRINCESS MAXIMA ZORREGUIETA AND PRINCE WILLIAM ALEXANDER OF THE NETHERLANDS, ON HOLLIDAYS.

Polfoto 07-08-2003 © QUEEN INTERNATIONAL REF ITF PORT ERCOLE, ITALY, 7TH AUGUST 2003 A VERY HAPPY AND PREGNANT PRINCESS MAXIMA ZORREGUIETA AND PRINCE WILLIAM ALEXANDER OF THE NETHERLANDS, ON HOLLIDAYS.

[Alexandria]

From Joris at the Beneulx Royals message board:

I was amazed by the beauty of the photo of HRH the Prince of Orange and HRH Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, which was taken by Mario Testino in Vanity Fair, published today on the front page of Dutch daily newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.

The composition, the stylishness, a few colours only: black, white and gold. The counterlight/winterlight effect.

The couple standing dressed in gala off centre on the first floor of Noordeinde Palace staircase.

The lackeys in gala (black and gold), carefully composed... Neoclassicist harmony.

A true masterpiece in my opinion. I´ll buy the magazine and will frame the photo!!

And a tribute from a foreigner to a Dutch monarchy.

Photographer: Mario Testino.

[Alexandria]

www.ad.nl - Maxima on holiday.

[Robbert]

I'm proud that Maxima will become queen of our country. She's the best!
:P

[Alexandria]

From the Beneulx Royals message board:

Unexpected visit to hospital by Princess Máxima
Posted by henri m. on 16/8/2003, 14:00:02

Like she has done before, the Princess has again totally unexpected visited an organization without any press and photographers:
In today's Limbourgian newspapers reports on how the Princess visited an hospital in Sittard (a Limbourgian city with appr. 110.000 inh.):

SITTARD - It is unusually restless in the corridors of the Meuse County Hospital in Sittard (Province of Limbourg, 110.000 inh.). The tension and the nervousness are tangible. Today everything is different from normal: THE Princess is in the house.

Yesterday Princess Máxima of the Netherlands brought a strictly secret work-visit at the Meuse County Hospital in Sittard. For its staff an unique working day. Nobody wanted to miss her, all trying to catch a glimpse of her: "Can you sent her along for a minute?" sounds hopefully from a study. By chance passing visitors, co-workers and nurses rub themselves in the eyes out of amazement. Princess Máxima in Sittard! Well, that's not something you experience every day.

The visit of the Princess has been kept secret for weeks and has been regulated in complete confidentiality. By special request of the Royal House, which wishes no any interference in a tight program. And thus eventual photographers and reporters are kept on a far distance. Also the patients will not see her too much.

The day's protocol is detailed filled in. Only a few men were informed about the coming of Princess Máxima. The members of the Board of Directors knew.

A single co-assistant here and there has been informed by telephone on the very last moment. Like Stephan-Antoine Ring, co-assistant on the Orthopaedy Division. Only on Thursday evening he heard that he has been chosen to meet Princess Máxima. And that makes impression.

Four hours after her departure he is still full of enthousiasm: "A quite fine experience. I have even been allowed to sit with her at table. The conversation was exploratory and warm. Princess Máxima is an intelligent woman. She asked so many questions about the training and has sincerely been interested. I will always cherish it as a fine memory."

The work visit at the Meuse County Hospital is part of Princess Máxima's introduction program to learn about the Netherlands. And thus no possibility to gather information remains unused. For the official visit to the hospital itself, three and half hours has been reserved. But there is scarcely time for distraction. After the arrival with the princely private-jet on Maastricht-Aachen Airport it rapidly goes into the direction of the hospital.

In Sittard the Princess orientates herself -amongst other topics- on the financing of hospitals, the organizational structure, the renewals in the hospital care, but also on the sticking points in the care. She speaks ample with drivers, medical specialists and nurses.

The Princess let herself be informed about the cooperation between the hospital and the Central Regional GP Practice and about the working methods of GP's (General Practicioners) and over the method of the central practice. She speaks also with the clients' council about the council's role in the hospital.

A subject of conversation that is like a red thread through the work visit is the new huge medical complex of the Meuse County Hospital which is under construction now. The Princess showed deep interest for the new drafts, models and the role of the information technology which will get a primary place in the new building. Despite the not-ceasing hunt on information by the Princess, there is -fortunately- also yet even time for a short lunch. The meal is simple and anything but royal: breads, coffee, tea and fruit juice. The pregnant Princess has not expressed special wishes about her lunch.

Hospital manager Leon Poels stood next to the Princess during the whole visit. He never walked a single meter away from her side. The manager can scarcely describe his blissful feelings. It caresses him that Princess Máxima herself has made the choice for the Meuse County Hospital. And he is happy that they could provide the Princess a good impression of the activities: "Everybody is very honored by her coming. Princess Máxima is naturally a very special and remarkable lady. A marked and most charming personality. I noticed that she had prepared herself thoroughly on this visit. She asked detailed and useful questions. For me and the other employees of the Meuse County Hospital it was a brilliant experience. I have even been allowed to be photographed with her. Such memories you cherish. It really provided a very special feeling."

In the central hall of the hospital a spontaneous applause sounds. Princess Máxima is saying and waving goodbye. She smiles and caresses a girl patient over the head. The Princess' hofdame ('lady in waiting&#39 takes care of the many presents. The charm of the Princess has unmistakably left tracks. Secretary Jolanda Dirx is still enjoying: "The Princess has been on our division. She has given hands and talked with all of us. An unique experience. Yes of course, it has really made impression on me. Such a day you only experience once in a lifetime."

[Fireweaver]

Interesting. Most royals would have publicized the visit ahead of time.
Her way of doing royal duties w/out papartizzi present?

[winter]

I think it's great that they keep some things quiet.
In Gala magazine this week there was a very small pic with an even smaller article about W-A and Maxima's visit to Salzburg. They went there on a private visit with no official engagement at all.
When I remember Charles and Camilla's "private" visit to Salzburg....! Maybe somebody should explain to Charles what the word "private" means!

[sara1981]

I hope so Maxima will get more bump?

Sara Boyce

[USCtrojan]

I am sure that HRH will get more "bump". I hope that they have a little girl! A little Wilhelmina Juliana!!! :)

:mrgreen: Chanel