The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima, Current Events 7 (Jan 2007 - Nov 2008)

[Henri M.]

I found this article in today's Nederlands Dagblad (02-02-2007) and I thought it was a good idea to translate it for you:

MÁXIMA IS THE BEST LIFE INSURANCE FOR THE MONARCHY
By Hans Jacobs / Nederlands Dagblad 02-02-2007

WASSENAAR- A dinner with friends and with the bridal personnel which lives close by. That is all what has been planned by Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima for today, the fifth anniversary of their marriage. The Prince, just back from Kenya, also is not such a reviewer. He prefers to look forward.

“That was a little bit stupid”. These nicely rehearsed words by Máxima Zorreguieta during the announcement of the princely engagement did set the tone for her fast acceptance in the Netherlands. Five years after the 'fairy-tale marriage' on 02-02-02 can be stated that the partner choice of the Prince was anything but ‘stupid’. Princess Máxima has strengthened hím as well as given the monarchy colour and new zest.

A few years ago the future kingship of Prince Willem-Alexander was anticipated with scepticism. The republican movement even expected the Prince would, after a few faux-pas, witness his own end and that of the monarchy. The stubborn and somewhat short-tempered Prince Willem-Alexander was considered as their guarantee on success. Five year later on, even the Republican Society must admit that the Prince has, with the Argentinean Máxima, brought in the best possible life insurance for the monarchy.

According to an inquiry by the magazine Weekend Royalty, 74 per cent of the population thinks Prince Willem-Alexander is ready for ‘the big job’ even when the Queen is making no any signs of an abdication. The princely couple also gives the impression that they are not in a hurry for the kingship. “The later, the better” once was stated by the Prince. There is more than enough to do in the shadow of the throne and there is time for their children, Princess Catharina-Amalia and Princess Alexia. Their daughters already need to get used to working and travelling parents but that is, according to the Princess, a situation which occurs in more families.

Their agendas are full. Prince Willem-Alexander, who has gained self-assurance since his marriage, even has adapted his style of planning so that there remains space for spontaneous visits and invitations. The princely couple helps Queen Beatrix where necessarily - last year they did host the royal new year receptions and end of February they will accompany the Queen on a State Visit to Turkey. The princely couple also work together in getting consciously rooted into society. Precisely as Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus once did before them, with meetings at Drakensteyn Estate.

Now there are dinners in the princely villa ‘De Eikenhorst’ (the Eyrie in the Oakwood) in Wassenaar. Guests from various generations and corners of the society are invited to learn from each other. There are also the so-called ‘Lunches for the Excellent’ at Noordeinde Palace. During these lunches the Prince and Princess receive price winning and excelling Dutchmen of all sorts and conditions. That can be a scientist, but also the national champion in sudoku-puzzles. According to the princely couple it is 'striking' how many Dutchmen become distinguished, often without any media attention.

Both take an active part in the Orange Fund, which was given to hem as a national wedding gift. This fund spends millions a year to encourage, support and stimulate, among many, volunteer work in districts and neighbourhoods, with younger persons, newcomers and olds. During the princely visit to Morocco (and also now to Turkey) younger persons with a bridge to youth and immigrants accompanied the Prince and Princess. Princess Máxima feels at home in the social corner and wants to expand her activities in this.

At the same time their focus is also over the borders. Two weeks ago was Princess Máxima was in New York. The Princess is member of an UN-advice group for making financial markets more accessible for the poor. Prince Willem-Alexander ended his participation in the IOC-commission for the election of the best city for organizing the Olympic Winter Games 2014: “Too busy”.

Since a few months, the 'Water Prince' is chairman of the UN-advice council for water and sanitary facilities in underdeveloped countries. The Prince sees this as a ‘top job’, in which he does not want to disappoint, despite the fact he could not make the promise to take a seat in the commission for the whole term (until 2015). In the Netherlands the Prince is very focussing on his pet topics of water management and environmental planning, among many with a long series of work visits. And in the best tradition of his mother: without media. Also during the recent princely visit to Kenya, the press was not welcome.

In general however, the relationship of the princely couple with the (serious) media is reasonably relaxed, as long as the heavy guarded private domain is not entered. “If we can not give our daughters an usual youth, we have failed” according to the Prince. By fits and starts the princely couple is looking for a balance between the necessary openness and the desired privacy. At the moment the princely couple is at the winning hand. Even the Argentinean press has refused to publicize the latest paparazzi photographs of Princess Máxima during a private visit in her native country.

[Verde Esmeralda]

Thank you VERY MUCH Henri M. for the translation! My Dutch level is still too basic to understand the hole article from its original source...

A (maybe "een klein beetje dom") question: why "Water Prince"?

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by Verde Esmeralda

Thank you VERY MUCH Henri M. for the translation! My Dutch level is still too basic to understand the hole article from its original source...

A (maybe "een klein beetje dom") question: why "Water Prince"?

He is very much involved in water problems, water supply and in sustainable development. Like Prince Charles is very into 'back to nature'-farming methods and 'architecturing on a human scale', Prince Willem-Alexander also has his own pet topics.

And of course the Netherlands, 2/3 under sea level and protected by dykes, dunes, continuously pumped dry by watermills and geographically the end of a riverdelta of Europe's largest rivers, is extremely vulnerable for waterproblems.

[Verde Esmeralda]

Thanks again... i'm happy to know that he is being known with other nickname, besides the unfortunate "Prince Pils" I'd heard / read before (which you also explained to me before, regarding the syndrome he suffers from)

[popje]

I just readed, the photosession from the family wil be this weekend.

[ZandraRae]

Oh yes! Finally some great pictures are coming our way! I'm so excited!

[corazon]

great news! beatrix will be with them?

[carlota]

i can't wait!
wonder which location they chose for the photoshoot.

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by carlota

i can't wait!
wonder which location they chose for the photoshoot.

Since almost 45 years the Queen and her family goes on wintersport in Lech am Arlberg, in Vorlarlberg, Austria. The Queen and her family also always and ever stay at the same hotel: Gasthof Post. The family Moosbrugger, who owns the hotel, is privately befriended with the Queen and her family.

[carlota]

Originally Posted by Henri M.

Since almost 45 years the Queen and her family goes on wintersport in Lech am Arlberg, in Vorlarlberg, Austria. The Queen and her family also always and ever stay at the same hotel: Gasthof Post. The family Moosbrugger, who owns the hotel, is privately befriended with the Queen and her family.

thanks for the information henri. i thought this one was going to be the photoshoot for willem and maxima's anniversary rather than the lech one, as magriet and family were there earlier on.... (although perhaps they just took advantage of the situation and are doing both at the same time )

[TLLK]

Thank you for sharing this article with us. In my opinion, Willem-Alexander made one of the best decisions of his life when he asked Maxima to become his wife. They truly are a dynamic duo.

[carlota]

is the photosession in lech today or tomorrow? thanks!

[popje]

The photosession wil be tomorrow!

[dazzling]

at last a photosession, lots of wonderful pictures. The children are soo cute and its nice to see them with there parents. Cant wait !

[monica]

The photosession wil be tomorrow!!!! Wonderful !!!!!!!!!!

[ahtikavalentine]

I can't wait to see Máxima again in new photos! She looks great with this pregnancy!!

[Kelly]

Yes can't wait for that photosession. She does look more tired with this pregnancy and much bigger.

[Vanesa]

Yes..This pregnancy is really BIG! It looks very different than the other two former ones. However, even big pregnancy could be girl's ones.

Vanesa.

[Henri M.]

Communiqué by the Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst 9 March 2007

The acting Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Vice-Premier and Minister of Finances mr. W.J. Bos has, after consultation with the Council of Ministers, issued a flag-instruction for the coming birth of the third child of Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands.

The flag-instruction determines that the national flag will be flown, together with an orange pennant, from all the national administrative buildings, agencies, services and all other institutions which ressort under the national administration.

After the official announcement of the birth of the new Prince or Princess, the flag-with-pennant will be put out until sundown.

The Minister of the Interior will request all provincial and municipal authorities to follow the same instruction. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will request all Embassies and Consulates abroad to follow the same instruction.

The Hague,
9 March 2007.

[Kelly]

Wow! was this also done for the other two princesses?