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

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by EvaH

Is there a translation of the speech floating somewhere?

I will look for it, but for me the best part was (probably with Instagram-era in his mind) about the zest for being happy, for being successful, for being perfect:

"[.....]

In these days of the year, now that Christmas brings some calmness into the hectic pace of everyday life, doubts can also arise. Am I doing well? Do I make the right choices? Am I really happy?

That pursuit of happiness is beautiful, but it should not become an obsession. Grief may also be there. Doubts, and feelings of loneliness, may also be there. Failures and setbacks are also part of life.

In the pursuit of happiness and success, we can sometimes run over ourselves. As free people, we want to get the best out of life and blame ourselves if that fails. We mirror ourselves to others, we set the bar high and we like to present a perfect version of ourselves to the outside world. As if there is a taboo on uncertainty and shortcomings.

I also say this to young people. Don't worry too much if things go wrong. Give yourself some space.

It is okay.

Happiness cannot be forced. It is elusive. It suddenly comes as a gift from heaven.

[.....] "

[An Ard Ri]

Whilst the speech of the king was perfectly fine they could at least have used a Poinsettia on a garland to make it look a little festive.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by 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?

Do you mean Anne, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange (eldest daughter of King George II) ?

[Marengo]

Indeed it is the portrait of that Pss Anne that is hanging on the walls. She is usually referred to as 'Anne of Hanover' here in the Netherlands. A fitting honor indeed as she and her husband were the ones that enlarged the palace and created the vestibule where their portraits now are.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Indeed it is the portrait of that Pss Anne that is hanging on the walls. She is usually referred to as 'Anne of Hanover' here in the Netherlands. A fitting honor indeed as she and her husband were the ones that enlarged the palace and created the vestibule where their portraits now are.

Besides the paintings, it is also visible on the chimneys directing the enlargements to the left and to the right. The one has a gilded "windvaan" (weather vane) with the monogram W (Willem IV) with a princely crown and the other has a gilded "windvaan" with the monogram A (Anne) with a British crown. See picture: https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sPgoX0m91...-rvb-08368.jpg

The princely crown of Willem IV is still used in Dutch and Luxembourg heraldica. In fact, as kings, the crown should have a red velvet cap inside, but King Willem I thought an open crown was esthetically more pleasing. The Arms of Prince Willem IV with the open crown: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._Hosenband.svg

[HereditaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Indeed it is the portrait of that Pss Anne that is hanging on the walls. She is usually referred to as 'Anne of Hanover' here in the Netherlands. A fitting honor indeed as she and her husband were the ones that enlarged the palace and created the vestibule where their portraits now are.

Thanks for the information Marengo - a nice little inclusion!

[Duc_et_Pair]

In 1750 two portraits were commissioned, to be painted by Johann Valentin Tischbein, of Willem IV and of Anne. Since then in the royal collection. Both were hanging in the vestibule. This is the one which was visible during the Christmas Address:

The Princess of Orange
Anne of Great-Britain and Hanover, The Princess Royal
https://www.koninklijkeverzamelingen...0050_klein.jpg

[eya]

King Willem-Alexander visit today the Zadkine Vocational School Schoonhoven. This year Vakschool Schoonhoven is 125 years old.


https://www.anpfoto.nl/royalimages/s...ventid=6002705

[iceflower]

Some more photos of the anniversary visit can be found here:



** ppe gallery ** rex gallery **


** gettyimages: NLD: King Willem-Alexander Visits Zadkine School For its 125th Anniversary In Schoonhoven **

[iceflower]

King Willem-Alexander received Esther Ouwehand, Chairwoman of the parliamentary group and party leader for the Party of the Animals today, january 20:


** Pic ** ppe gallery **

[iceflower]

King Willem-Alexander paid a visit to the Zelfregiecentrum homeless centre in Weert today, January 21:



** Pic ** ppe gallery ** anp gallery ** anp gallery 2 ** rex gallery **


And one to the municipality of Peel and Maas:


** anp gallery ** rex gallery **

[EvaH]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

I will look for it, but for me the best part was (probably with Instagram-era in his mind) about the zest for being happy, for being successful, for being perfect:

"[.....]

In these days of the year, now that Christmas brings some calmness into the hectic pace of everyday life, doubts can also arise. Am I doing well? Do I make the right choices? Am I really happy?

That pursuit of happiness is beautiful, but it should not become an obsession. Grief may also be there. Doubts, and feelings of loneliness, may also be there. Failures and setbacks are also part of life.

In the pursuit of happiness and success, we can sometimes run over ourselves. As free people, we want to get the best out of life and blame ourselves if that fails. We mirror ourselves to others, we set the bar high and we like to present a perfect version of ourselves to the outside world. As if there is a taboo on uncertainty and shortcomings.

I also say this to young people. Don't worry too much if things go wrong. Give yourself some space.

It is okay.

Happiness cannot be forced. It is elusive. It suddenly comes as a gift from heaven.

[.....] "

Thank you Duc !

I saw on Twitter that His Majesty flew again on recently. He & Queen Máxima should teach us all about time management. I love how they have both managed to keep some space for their passions outside of their main jobs.

[An Ard Ri]

H.M.The King held an audience for SGP chairman, Mr. Peter Schalk at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague.

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...01-2020%20King

[eya]

King Willem-Alexander today appoint new State Secretaries for Finance.


https://www.anpfoto.nl/royalimages/s...ventid=6003323


https://www.rexfeatures.com/livefeed...nce,_the_hague

[An Ard Ri]

H.M.The King audience with the new State Secretary of Finance, at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague today.

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...01-2020%20King

[ashelen]

Originally Posted by An Ard Ri

H.M.The King audience with the new State Secretary of Finance, at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague today.

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...01-2020%20King

Is this his new home, right? that walls are ugly! I like it much more the reception in his other home. But that is me!

[rob2008]

Originally Posted by eya

King Willem-Alexander today appoint new State Secretaries for Finance.


https://www.anpfoto.nl/royalimages/s...ventid=6003323


https://www.rexfeatures.com/livefeed...nce,_the_hague

I am really liking the updated interior design. This relates very effectively to the formal dress of the participants. Together, you see how monarchy is relevant to the modern world - nice visual message.

It's not a clash between room AND person. It's a dialogue. It is interesting that the room usually represents the past and the heritage in the form of gilding and scrolls and palladian features. In this case, the room is modern and the people are presented as heritage - fascinating interpretation of the state rooted in history.

[eya]

King Willem-Alexander during an audience today with Mrs. J.M.A. Kemna as a member of the extraordinary service of the Netherlands Court of Audit at Huis ten Bosch palace in The Hague. Mrs. J.M.A. Kemna was a sworn in as a member of the extraordinary service of the Court of Audit


https://0.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:...7d4&m=ofhpgplc
https://2.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:...7d4&m=hfhjjglk
https://1.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:...7d4&m=klgeibcp


https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?...01-2020%20King

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by rob2008

I am really liking the updated interior design. This relates very effectively to the formal dress of the participants. Together, you see how monarchy is relevant to the modern world - nice visual message.

It's not a clash between room AND person. It's a dialogue. It is interesting that the room usually represents the past and the heritage in the form of gilding and scrolls and palladian features. In this case, the room is modern and the people are presented as heritage - fascinating interpretation of the state rooted in history.

I agree. A fascinating combination of gentlemen in jacquet in a room with DNA-codes on the walls:
https://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/binari...-financien.jpg

One can see how totally different the same dresscode works in another salon:
https://www.ditjesendatjes.nl/wp-con...C3%ABdigd.jpeg

[iceflower]

Today, February 4, King Willem-Alexander paid a working visit to the "Academy of the City" in Almere:



** ppe gallery ** anp gallery **