King Willem-Alexander, Current Events Part 2 (October 2017- November 2020)

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Somebody

Two new ministers were sworn in. The lady in the picture is also a new minister: Stientje van Veldhoven. Just like Raymond Knops she was a state secretary until now (but at a different ministry). More importantly, she is a member from the same political party as the one that is temporarily stepping down; so she must have been added to make sure that they don't go back in number of ministers for the time being.

Two more changes were made but in those cases the ones with added responsibility already were minister of a department, so no need to be sworn in by the king.

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

THE OATH

The oath is read out by the Director of the Kabinet van de Koning:

" I swear that, in order to be appointed as minister, I have not given or promised any gift or favor, neither directly nor indirectly, under any name or pretext.

" I swear that, in order to do - or not to do- anything in this Office, I have not accepted or will accept any gift or promise, neither directly nor indirectly.

" I swear allegiance to The King, to the Statute for the Kingdom and to the Constitution.

" I swear that I will faithfully fulfill the duties that my Office imposes on me."

The director requests the minister to step forward. The minister raises his hand and declares in front of the King:

" So truly help me God almighty! " (religious version)
or
" I do declare and promise that! " (non-religious version)

Originally Posted by Somebody

This is a start of a series of meetings with the group chairmen/women in the senate ('first chamber') after the senate was installed in June. 8 of them are new in this position; the other 5 have been group chair for some time (most about 4 years but one up to 14 years)

Typically the group chairman/woman in the 'lower house' ('second chamber') is considered the party leader.

Thank you both for providing information about these functions.

When one appreciates the frequency of new installations in legislative positions, one assumes the King's involvement contributes by offering the impression of continuity.

I wonder if "in order to be appointed as minister, I have not given or promised any gift or favor" was included in the oath because of ministers earlier in history who did exactly that.

[ashelen]

Is this photos his private home?

[SLV]

Yes, this is in Huis Den Bosch.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Thank you both for providing information about these functions.

When one appreciates the frequency of new installations in legislative positions, one assumes the King's involvement contributes by offering the impression of continuity.

I wonder if "in order to be appointed as minister, I have not given or promised any gift or favor" was included in the oath because of ministers earlier in history who did exactly that.

The Oath is in fact an assemblage of two oaths: an Oath of Purification and an Oath of Office. This double oath exists top down in the whole machinery of state: from the minister to a civil servant.

A breach of an Oath of Purification is prosecutable as an Act of Perjury.
A breach of an Oath of Office is prosecutable as a Misconduct in an Office.

After declaring himself or herself "pure", the road is free for the Oath of Office.
In the Netherlands it is an ancient custom, going back to the Republic, where officials and clerks in the service of the Lords Burgomasters and Aldermen, in the service of the Lords States and in the service of the Lords States-General had to make these Oaths. Including the holders of the supreme Office, the Stadtholders, which were the Princes of the House (Orange-) Nassau.

[iceflower]

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King Willem-Alexander received the new Ambassadors of Turkmenistan, Mali and Zambia at Noordeinde Palace today, November 13:


** ppe gallery **

[iceflower]

Today, November 20, King Willem-Alexander received the new Ambassadors of Algeria and Ecuador at Palace Noordeinde:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **


Later he paid a working visit to CVO Accent Practical Education:



** rex gallery ** anp gallery ** ppe gallery **

[eya]

King Willem-Alexander pay a working visit today to the Fontys Venlo educational institution.


https://www.anpfoto.nl/search.pp?eventid=6001180

[iceflower]

King Willem-Alexander received the Ambassadors of Burundi, Qatar and the Maledives today, November 27:


** ppe gallery **


Later he opened the renewed memorial centre of the National Monument Camp Vught:


** anp gallery **

[eya]

Two more galleries from the King's visit today


https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...1-2019%20Vught

https://www.rexfeatures.com/livefeed...center,_vucht?

[eya]

King Willem-Alexander during the opening of the new TechMed Center of the University of Twente today


https://www.anpfoto.nl/search.pp?eventid=6001323

[eya]

King Willem-Alexander arrives at the city hall in Raalte, for a workvisit today 3 December

https://www.rexfeatures.com/livefeed...sit_to_raalte?

https://www.anpfoto.nl/royalimages/s...ventid=6001423

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...-2019%20Raalte

and a working visit to the Groningen Drenthe public transport agency in Assen

https://www.anpfoto.nl/royalimages/s...ventid=6001430

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...2-2019%20Assen

[iceflower]

King Willem-Alexander has received the Chairmen of the Senate today, December 4:


** anp gallery ** Ontvangst fractievoorzitters Eerste Kamer **

[iceflower]

.

King Willem-Alexander opened the Unilever Global Foods Innovation Centre in Wageningen this afternoon, December 6:



** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** anp gallery **

[eya]

Many visits today for the King!


During a working visit to the Dutch Public Broadcaster (NPO) in Hilversum.

https://www.anpfoto.nl/royalimages/s...ventid=6001885

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...19%20Hilversum


During a working visit at Xycarb Technology in Helmond. The visit focuses on safety policy and safety culture in the workplace

https://www.anpfoto.nl/royalimages/s...ventid=6001900

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...2019%20Helmond

https://www.rexfeatures.com/livefeed...ology,_helmond



and the Gala of Astronomy in the Stadsgehoorzaal in Leiden.

https://www.anpfoto.nl/royalimages/s...ventid=6001906

[iceflower]

When being asked about his favourite music he answered he was a big fan of U2, that he liked Guns N' Roses whereas he didn't like the music of the Spice Girls, and that he used to put together cassette tapes with radio hits when he was younger.


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** rex gallery **


Here's a video from this morning:


** gids.tv: Willem-Alexander bezoekt radio: "Ik houd van Guns N' Roses en U2" **

[iceflower]

King Willem-Alexander received the Ambassadors of Colombia, Serbia and South Korea and swore in a new member of the Supreme Court today, December 18:




** ppe gallery ** anp gallery **

[eya]

The Christmas message of the King Willem Alexander

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVMRm77IYgQ

https://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/docume...-december-2019

[lucien]

Excellent speech by HM!!

[Duc_et_Pair]

The words touched me. Very warm and fatherly. I also liked the setting, the vestibule with the warm colours, the portrait of Frederik Hendrik of Nassau and Amalia von Solms. What was the big portrait at the right? Anne of Great-Britain and Hannover? That would make sense: Frederik Hendrik and Amalia founded the main part. Willem IV and Anne the two side-wings. These four ancestors are the most important in the history of the palace.

[EvaH]

Is there a translation of the speech floating somewhere?