Baptism of Princess Ariane: October 20, 2007

[Siepie]

I agree with those who say that the children did not behave well during the christening. Especially Claus should have been corrected by his parents. On the moments he ran back to where his parents were seated, his father or mother should have taken him. He probably would have started screaming then, but I prefer two minutes of screaming above a child running around, throwing pillows and roses at the guests in the front row. But Claus wasn't the only one behaving not well, also Amalia and Alexia should have been corrected a few times. Only Eloise behaved better. I do remember Prince Christian, but I don't think we can compare his situation to this one. He was almost the only little one in the chapel, so no other children to play with or pillows to throw with.
The actual christening with the children standing around was very sweet, but the service isn't my idea of a christening..

[dee4855]

Originally Posted by carlota

i quite agree. while i respect a little of "turmoil" when they become bored, i totally believe children should be left at home when they are little, as they won't behave properly. the same happened in alexia's christening, in sofia's christening and in sverre magnus'. maybe that's the reason why big events do not include young children (coronations, etc). this wasn't as important as a coronation, but even so. however, as much as i think alike for both royal and commoner children, i love to see them, so i'd much rather they played around...

who was the prince of the raisins, though?

It was Christian. There are some pictures where you will see him putting his hand into his father's pocket to find his treats.

[Hanna Regina]

Like some other posters, I was very surprised when Máxima and Willem-Alexander entered the church without Ariane! Considering the length of the service, it was very wise to leave the children outside for the first part, but it was still a bit too long for some... These things, long services and bringing the baby in later, are those traditional Dutch customs or are they only common for the Royal Family?
I have attended two christenings here in Sweden this autumn and both services lasted half an hour. That's it!

[Marengo]

Originally Posted by Siepie

The actual christening with the children standing around was very sweet, but the service isn't my idea of a christening..

In what way was it not your idea of a christening? It is very different from the ones I am used to as well, but the sermon was nice IMHO. The music was nice too, but very little religious hymns. And (related to this) it always stikes me as odd to do a baptism on a saturday, can´t think of anybody else who does/did that apart from our royals.

[Lady Bluffton]

This was a Protestant service, right? (And same for other princesses -- Amalia & Alexia.)

Does anyone have a copy of or more information on the dispensation that Princess Maxima got from the Catholic archbishop to dispense with her requirement to raise her children Catholic?

Just curious!

[The Watcher]

Originally Posted by Lady Bluffton

This was a Protestant service, right? (And same for other princesses -- Amalia & Alexia.)

Does anyone have a copy of or more information on the dispensation that Princess Maxima got from the Catholic archbishop to dispense with her requirement to raise her children Catholic?

Just curious!

Willem-Alexander and his children belong to the Protestant Church in The Netherlands. This church has an agreement with the Roman Catholic Church regarding the mutual recognition of baptism and inter-church marriage, using Ephesians 4: 5-6: One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

The services of this protestant church last often at least 1 till 1,5 hour.
More information: Protestant Church in the Netherlands

[pollyemma]

Originally Posted by cdm

I too thought that Claus-Casimir was 'a little brat'. He went a few times to his parents, they should have kept him with them.

The rest of the children were playful as children are, but that was not so disturbing as Claus-Casimir.

.

I was underwhelmed by C-C's behavior. its natural for kids to be rambunctious but he was really pretty bratty. perhaps he's spoiled because he's the only male grandchild.

Question: did anyone else think this baptism was "grander" than Alexia's? the church seemed bigger, there seemed to be more guests. it just struck me as a bigger event.

[Regina]

Originally Posted by Lady Bluffton

This was a Protestant service, right? (And same for other princesses -- Amalia & Alexia.)

Does anyone have a copy of or more information on the dispensation that Princess Maxima got from the Catholic archbishop to dispense with her requirement to raise her children Catholic?

Just curious!

I didn't know any Bishop could give that kind of dispensation. I knew Bishops could dispense a catholic person if she/he wants to marry a protestant, but I thought their future children would have to be educated into the catholic principles. Maybe it's different for people who marry with future monarchs.

[Verde Esmeralda]

Originally Posted by Regina

I didn't know any Bishop could give that kind of dispensation. I knew Bishops could dispense a catholic person if she/he wants to marry a protestant, but I thought their future children would have to be educated into the catholic principles. Maybe it's different for people who marry with future monarchs.

Right, as far as I know, Máxima was allowed to remain Catholic, and got the dispense from the Catholic church to marry WA, but she had to get married by the Protestant church and commit herself to educating her sons under that faith in the future. And that's what she is following.

[Marengo]

True, it was never a question that the main line of the House of Orange would become catholic, as the Prince of Orange hastened himself to emphasize during the press conference after he announced his engagement (´the house of Orange will remain a protestant one´). It would be terribly odd if they would turn catholic, but technically they are free to do so.

[Vanesa]

The girls are lovely and Princess Ariane is very similar in physical features to her elder sister, Princess Amalia. In fact the three girls are very similar to each other. We must wait some years to see how each of them will really be.

Inés Zorreguieta was beatiful, but I didn't like her outfit for a Christening ceremony. She looked like "Lily Marlene"!

The Queen always looks excellently, but I admit that this violet outfit was not one of the favorites of mine. And Maxima`s mother was very stylish, but the photographer just caught her after bowing before the Queen and she seems to be dancing "La Conga" from Cuba!!!

Vanesa.

[The Watcher]

New pictures in this article: Nieuwsberichten Royalblog.nl: 'Eerbiedwaardige' Ariane wilde speen terug!

[Hanna Regina]

I'm sorry if this has been posted before, but doesn't princess Anita's hair piece look a lot like the one worn by Crown Princess Mary at both her childrens christenings? No matter what I like these modern pieces and Princess Anita looked very elegant. The royal ladies will have many years and occasions to wear ordinary hats later, it's nice with something different.
I also liked Princess Margriet's outfit, she looked great!
Considering the time of the year, I think it's quite nice with autumn-colours such as red, orange and apricot and I liked Mrs Zorreguita's outfit as well. I'm not fond though, of the black outfits I saw in the audience. That's not a suitable colour for a christening according to me.

[antonieta]

I think you are right Hanna Regina about the floral head piece of princess Anita, it´s equal of Crown Princess Mary one.

[Princess Robijn]

Originally Posted by pollyemma

I was underwhelmed by C-C's behavior. its natural for kids to be rambunctious but he was really pretty bratty. perhaps he's spoiled because he's the only male grandchild.

Question: did anyone else think this baptism was "grander" than Alexia's? the church seemed bigger, there seemed to be more guests. it just struck me as a bigger event.

There were some problems because of the size of the church in which Princess Alexia was baptized. (I think it was the size, maybe it was something a like.)

[almab]

I loved the dresses and capelets that Amalia and Alexia wore. Very appropriate for the occasion. Maxima looked beautiful.

[bbb]

while i agree the little boy was the biggest brat and yes the parents should have taken control of them, it did add a certain charm to a family event. i'm sure the grownups knew with children involved anything can happen (remember the norway christianing with FIRE!!!! and children involved) i thought it was a lovely service (couldn't understand much, but the vicar had a lovely voice and kindly face and certainly was amused and not offended by all the antics around him, like the queen- she was laughing too) and having the cousins involved was very sweet if a little rampunctious. that said imo no small children should attend any reverent service, they can't and shouldn't be expected to sit like little robots for 20 minutes, much less over an hour. the weddings i've seen when someone with no sense brings their little darling who ruins the whole experience for everyone not to mention the video, it's just rude.

[lyndaW]

After the Service did they host a lunch or dinner (party) for the 850 guests?

[Sister Morphine]

I agree with those who are saying that the way the children were behaving was a bit much. I honestly thought it was a tad disrespectful that during this solemn event, the children were being allowed to act like they were on Romper Room or in their bedrooms at home -- rolling around, throwing pillows in the air, yelling....that sort of thing.

I understand that to this family it is important that all the children are involved, but if you know they can't sit still for the whole service or that they will be out of control if you let them be with each other, you leave them at home. My parents used to do with my sister and I all the time. My grandmother would watch us if our parents were going somewhere they knew the both of us would be unable to behave at. It was rare, but it still happened.

It was disgraceful, IMHO.

[Regina]

Originally Posted by Vanesa

Inés Zorreguieta was beatiful, but I didn't like her outfit for a Christening ceremony. She looked like "Lily Marlene"!

hahahaha! So funny, Vanessa! My cousin said exactly the same!

Originally Posted by Sister Morphine

I agree with those who are saying that the way the children were behaving was a bit much. I honestly thought it was a tad disrespectful that during this solemn event, the children were being allowed to act like they were on Romper Room or in their bedrooms at home -- rolling around, throwing pillows in the air, yelling....that sort of thing.

I understand that to this family it is important that all the children are involved, but if you know they can't sit still for the whole service or that they will be out of control if you let them be with each other, you leave them at home. My parents used to do with my sister and I all the time. My grandmother would watch us if our parents were going somewhere they knew the both of us would be unable to behave at. It was rare, but it still happened.

It was disgraceful, IMHO.

Yes, the children are not the guilties, parents are. I know in a ceremony like this one is difficul to keep them quiet or to be firm with them in front of the cameras but allow them to behave like that was not a very royal thing to do.
I smiled when I saw the children out of control but I still think it was more a show than a royal Baptism. A Baptism is not only a ceremony or an event where you show your pretty cloths, but the most important Sacrament for Christians.