Baptism of Princess Catharina-Amalia: June 12, 2004

[kelly9480]

They generally aren't, but Amalia is a special case as the heir. Most of them are baptised in the private chapel at Het Loo, and the only thing the public sees is the arrival and departure of guests and the few photos released to the public.

[corazon]

I see this photo posted here, was deleted?
is the best photo of amalia's christening, very very sweet
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...imaoficial.jpg

[Principessa Cano]

Can anyone tell me why, if her name is Catharina Amalia, everyone calls her Amalia and not Catharina?

[ZandraRae]

I believe Principessa Cano, that it is just a preference. I have also heard when they said both of the names together. I guess it is just what you prefer.

[Sister Morphine]

Originally Posted by Principessa Cano

Can anyone tell me why, if her name is Catharina Amalia, everyone calls her Amalia and not Catharina?

Some people prefer to go by their middle names, or some people are named first for a family member or someone of importance to the family and their middle name is more personal or more unique, and the family calls them that. My friend's name is Elizabeth Marie, but she goes by Marie. My cousin was named after a family member, ironically the same one I was named after, so I'm Beth Ann and she's Beth Alexandra. So, she's Alex.

[Verde Esmeralda]

Originally Posted by corazon

I see this photo posted here, was deleted?
is the best photo of amalia's christening, very very sweet
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...imaoficial.jpg

Yes corazon, that photo is simply beautiful. Where can we get it from?

[MissSaga]

So, she was 6 months old when she got christened ?

[Fie]

I would like to add a few things... Amalia didn't enter the church together with her parents and the others because she wasn't "necessary" at the moment for the introduction and everything else. At that moment she was being looked after in a side room. It's a very old costom to keep a baby as out of the christing spot untill some minutes before the christening is going to take place. It's done for the sole purpose of keeping the baby happy and keeping the time that the baby needs to behave in public (no need for a crying baby in the middle of service) as short as possible. And I guess it's also done to give the child extra attention... Anyway, that's why Amalia was carried into the church later on during the service.

Her full name is "Catharina-Amalia" but she is called "Amalia" as the Dutch have something called a "roepnaam". That "roepnaam" of "calling name" is the name used daily... Same happened with her father: he was officially called "Willem-Alexander" but in private he's called "Alexander" or even "Alex".

Another example is prince Harry. His official first name is "Henry" but Princess Diana found that name to stiff for daily use and demanded her son to be called "Harry".

[janos614]

She was such a cute baby! Those cheeks!

[Vanesa]

Oh, yes...Those cheeks. Sadly, she doesn't have "those cheeks" any more, since she is beginning to grow-up. Of course, I love her apareance right now. She is not a baby any more. But I'm sure we all will miss her "babysh" look...and yes, "those cheeks".

Vanesa.

[acdc1]

Didn't Princess Laurentien carry Amalia into the church?

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by acdc1

Didn't Princess Laurentien carry Amalia into the church?

Yes, see the pictures here:

Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands enters the Great- or Saint James' Church in The Hague. The Princess holds her niece Catharina-Amalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria Princess of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, the Hereditary Princess of Orange in her arms.

Aunt and niece making their way.

The procession through the Church is opened by the Elder of Service, holding a silver vase with water from the river Jordan. Princess Laurentien and Princess Catharina-Amalia are followed by a Hofdame and then the youngest generation of the royal family.

Princess Máxima of the Netherlands and The Prince of Orange beam happiness when they receives their daughter out of the hands of their sister-in-law.

[Esmerelda]

A video. It was quite funny when Amalia yawned..

YouTube - Doop Prinses Catharina-Amalia

[Josefine]

in this christning i loved how the godparents gave some wisdom words to the baby.

[IloveCP]

Maxima's white outfit was very beautiful and elegant. It's one of my favorite looks from her. I also loved Victoria and Mathilde's outfits.

On another note, this event was wonderful. It was an adorable moment when Amalia yawned.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Esmerelda

A video. It was quite funny when Amalia yawned..

That Children's Prayer from Hänsel und Gretel (11:50) really was touching.

Here are the words, in German:

Abends, will ich schlafen gehn,
vierzehn Engel um mich stehn:
zwei zu meinen Häupten,
zwei zu meinen Füßen,
zwei zu meiner Rechten,
zwei zu meiner Linken,
zwei die mich decken,
zwei, die mich wecken,
zwei, die mich weisen
zu Himmels Paradeisen!

And now the English translation:

When at night I go to sleep,
Fourteen angels watch do keep,
Two my head are guarding,
Two my feet are guiding;
Two upon my right hand,
Two upon my left hand.
Two who warmly cover
Two who o’er me hover,
Two to whom ’tis given
To guide my steps to heaven.

[CyrilVladisla]

The Christening Of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander & Crown Princess... News Photo | Getty Images
I like this picture of Willem-Alexander happily holding Catharina-Amalia. A true father and daughter moment.

[Blog Real]

The christening service was traditionally the first time a royal child was shown to the public.

https://www.royal-house.nl/topics/bi...tening-service

[Blog Real]

Another baptism video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZFVPfaNE2s