Dutch State Visit to France: March 10-11, 2016

[Lumutqueen]

Bit early but;

@VorstenNL: Frans staatsbezoek koningspaar in 2016 Frans staatsbezoek koningspaar in 2016 - Vorsten #Vorsten http://t.co/yFId0XhjjF

[Marika86]

Since the appropriate thread is closed, I post here the news about the State Visit to France.
The State Visit will take place on March 10-11.

Staatsbezoek aan Frankrijk | Nieuwsbericht | Het Koninklijk Huis

[carlota]

i am very excited about this state visit. what a jam packed visit they have!

i never heard about the hotel particulier potocki, but what a beautiful place - perfect to host a state visit! https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel_Potocki

i am also excited that the return concert and reception by the king and queen is offered in the petit palais - it is easily one of my favourite places in paris! nice choice.

[dazzling]

The hotel looks really nice. Is it a hotel for visiting guests and events? I can't find much about it or a website.



Official program

[Duc_et_Pair]

The visits of King Felipe of Spain, King Philippe of the Belgians and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden did not involve white tie or black tie. I hope that this time the dîner d’État will have some protocol... come on... this is France, this is the Palais de l'Élysée !

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

The visits of King Felipe of Spain, King Philippe of the Belgians and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden did not involve white tie or black tie. I hope that this time the dîner d’État will have some protocol... come on... this is France, this is the Palais de l'Élysée !

Why would there be a protocol for the King of the Netherlands that differs from the protocol for the Kings of Spain and Sweden, or the King of the Belgians ?

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Why would there be a protocol for the King of the Netherlands that differs from the protocol for the Kings of Spain and Sweden, or the King of the Belgians ?

The protocol for Queen Elizabeth II was different: it was black tie... so there is no consistent policy at the Élysée (but what else is new, under this President?)

Picture

[Nico]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

The protocol for Queen Elizabeth II was different: it was black tie... so there is no consistent policy at the Élysée (but what else is new, under this President?)

Picture

And, as always for every royal state visits to France, you're perfecly aware that the business suit dress code was installed by the predecessor of the actual President.
The protocol for the Queen was an exception. The dress code for the Dutch WILL BE business suits. End of it.
So let's bring the usual moanings about the loss of all the pump and let's mourn the good'ol days of the glorious state vists from the 60's and the 70's.

[Al_bina]

Given the situation in Europe in general and France in particular, complaining about lack of pomp is totally unnecessary.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Al_bina

Given the situation in Europe in general and France in particular, complaining about lack of pomp is totally unnecessary.

There is no any lack of pomp. The Élysée is still there. The Garde Républicaine is still there. The breath-taking table pieces are still there. The President however seems to prefer not to dress up for a banquet, as any normal person does. Just the same sweaty wrinkled suit he already wore earlier on the day at the Arc de Triomphe, or when he was in Nancy or Arras or something, to be worn at a state banquet. I find it an unneccessary loss of style and protocol. Elsewhere in Paris, other people than the Président de la République and the Roi des Pays-Bas are probably better dressed for a party or a banquet in a fancy hotel or restaurant...

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by Nico

And, as always for every royal state visits to France, you're perfecly aware that the business suit dress code was installed by the predecessor of the actual President.

But he present President could have changed it back to black tie. Or make exceptions for State Visits from monarchies and not only for the british Queen.

[maria-olivia]

It is the very first time that France has not a First Lady. She should have been dressed haute couture et the Event should have been glamour. Sad !

[Duc_et_Pair]

I do not only miss a première dame de France, I also miss the most elegant baise-mains of the previous presidents:

Sarkozy-Sheikha Mozah

Sarkozy-Camilla

Chirac-Claire Chazal

Chirac-Hillary Clinton

[Nico]

Originally Posted by Stefan

But he present President could have changed it back to black tie. Or make exceptions for State Visits from monarchies and not only for the british Queen.

Highly unlikely from a deeply unpopular socialist President during such hard times for his country.
My point is that we should take these visits as they are , low key, and try to enjoy them instead of moaning about the lack of glitz and glamour.
I'm the first to deeply regret state Banquets at Versailles, lunches at Trianon, galas at the Opera BUT these receptions are now apparently from a bygone area.
So let's enjoy this visit and the French and Dutch friendship, even if Maxima will not show up with a tiara on her pretty head.

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

I do not only miss a première dame de France, I also miss the most elegant baise-mains of the previous presidents:
... [snipped]
Chirac-Claire Chazal

Chirac-Hillary Clinton

Thanks for the photos!
President Chirac is a chivalrous man. So is President de Villepin.

[Marika86]

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arrived in Paris this evening.

Sander Paulus ‏@SanderRTLNieuws Aankomst #WillemAlexander en #Máxima #Parijs #sbfrankrijk https://twitter.com/SanderRTLNieuws/...65730225967109

Jeroen Snel ‏@JeroenSnel Aankomst koning en koningin in Parijs #staatsbezoek Frankrijk zaterdag verslag in #blauwbloed https://twitter.com/JeroenSnel/statu...67051066867712

ANP Foto

[Countessmeout]

It seems so odd to see a president/ prime minister without a wife/husband. I know it happens but still an uncommon event. Is his partner allowed to accompany him to official events or does he have to be married? I guess in Canada we had Pierre Trudeau who went from bachelor PM, to married,to first single father PM during his terms.

[JR76]

Originally Posted by Countessmeout

It seems so odd to see a president/ prime minister without a wife/husband. I know it happens but still an uncommon event. Is his partner allowed to accompany him to official events or does he have to be married? I guess in Canada we had Pierre Trudeau who went from bachelor PM, to married,to first single father PM during his terms.

Only last night we could see how the partner of the German president accompanied him on the State visit to Belgium and even receiving an order.


Sent from my iPhone using The Royals Community mobile app

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by JR76

Only last night we could see how the partner of the German president accompanied him on the State visit to Belgium and even receiving an order.


Sent from my iPhone using The Royals Community mobile app

And that despite the fact that he is still married to another woman.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by maria-olivia

It is the very first time that France has not a First Lady. She should have been dressed haute couture et the Event should have been glamour. Sad !

No it's not (again). For exemple the French President René Coty was a widower. He was alone when he entertained QEII, King Paul of Greece and many other royal guests back in the 50's.