Willem-Alexander, Máxima and Family, General News Part 3 (May 2017-Aug 2020)

[Countessmeout]

WA reportedly speaks Spanish, French, English and German as well as Dutch.

The Duke of Alba though also reportedly speaks several languages. His son and daughter in law both attended English language schools so the group could have communicated on at least two levels.

Amalia is said to speak Dutch, English and 'some Spanish'. Good practice.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Countessmeout

WA reportedly speaks Spanish, French, English and German as well as Dutch.

The Duke of Alba though also reportedly speaks several languages. His son and daughter in law both attended English language schools so the group could have communicated on at least two levels.

Amalia is said to speak Dutch, English and 'some Spanish'. Good practice.

Speaking a language is not exactly the same as being fluent. I doubt king Willem-Alexander is fluent in French; and his Spanish is quite good (upper intermediate at least I would say) but again, I am not sure he is fluent.

What is your source for the princess to speak only 'some Spanish'? I had the impression they were raised bilingual Dutch-Spanish (with Máxima speaking Spanish to them, at least when they were younger; in public they mostly speak Dutch).

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Somebody

Speaking a language is not exactly the same as being fluent. I doubt king Willem-Alexander is fluent in French; and his Spanish is quite good (upper intermediate at least I would say) but again, I am not sure he is fluent.

What is your source for the princess to speak only 'some Spanish'? I had the impression they were raised bilingual Dutch-Spanish (with Máxima speaking Spanish to them, at least when they were younger; in public they mostly speak Dutch).

I believe the parents had Spanish-speaking (or even Argentine) nannies employed at Villa De Eikenhorst.

[Marengo]

The Queen having some fun dancing with a gentleman:

https://sevilla.abc.es/sevilla/sevi-...#disqus_thread

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Marengo

The Queen having some fun dancing with a gentleman:

https://sevilla.abc.es/sevilla/sevi-...#disqus_thread

Strange to see Hare Majesteit like this. But of course also Beatrix and Juliana have been seen dancing.

Diverse media have identified the gentleman as Don Antonio Benjumea y Fernández Govantes from Abengoa (a major Spanish company based in Seville, big in wind, water, solar and other sustainable energy sources). The Benjumea family holds the titles Marqués de Puebla de Cazalla, Conde de Guadalhorce and Conde de Benjumea. Last September Don Antonio married in the Capilla del Rosario de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla with Doña Ana Pacheco y Aisa.

[loonytick]

It looked to me like the man was trying to keep others from getting in the way of the DRF--note how he put his arm out to block a woman from crossing W-A's path--but he misjudged how much space they needed on that side. He didn't seem all that old to me; nearing retirement age, perhaps, but hardly elderly. Could he have been associated with the party they were walking into, and trying to help usher the DRF in?

The manner in which W-A nudged him aside was definitely rude to my eyes. If he'd at least glanced at the man or said a "pardon me" as he pushed through, I might feel differently, but as it was he didn't seem to treat him as a person at all, just a physical obstacle. That's a shame, as I'd always thought of W-A as one of the friendlier, kinder royals.

[Marengo]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

Strange to see Hare Majesteit like this. But of course also Beatrix and Juliana have been seen dancing.

It seems she was having a wonderful time. I can not imagine ever seeing Beatrix like this, but in those days there were no cameras on telephones. Of course we have seen Máxima dancing on many occasions before, also in public. The comments in the Dutch press/ social media/ television has almost been 100% positive.

Apparently the RVD is now asking the Dutch press to remove clips of the Queen dancing as the party was 'private'. They seem to have no problems of the images made in the carriage and on the street.

Some in the press are obviously critical about this, others agree with the RVD. Royalblog calls it a wake-up call for the RVD. The media code is from 2005. Now the princesses become young adults with a life of their own they will become more interesting to the press and public. This will put the media code under pressure, especially in combination with the advance of online (social) media these last 14 years.

The party they attended this time was a chique venue and even there posh guests were filming and tweeting. What to do with video's made in a college room, in a gym or in a café that will be spread through twitter? Can the RVD sue 1000s of retweeters? Does it want to?

Although I understand the point that the RVD is making to me it feels like mustard after the meal to undertake such actions while the clip is around on the internet / in the foreign press and free to access for anybody with a computer. It is naive to think that a reprimand from the RVD will have much effect in the international (online) press. If it is such a problem they should try to prevent such a thing from happening in the future by either evading such public events or by tightening the security guidelines.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by loonytick

It looked to me like the man was trying to keep others from getting in the way of the DRF--note how he put his arm out to block a woman from crossing W-A's path--but he misjudged how much space they needed on that side. He didn't seem all that old to me; nearing retirement age, perhaps, but hardly elderly. Could he have been associated with the party they were walking into, and trying to help usher the DRF in?

The manner in which W-A nudged him aside was definitely rude to my eyes. If he'd at least glanced at the man or said a "pardon me" as he pushed through, I might feel differently, but as it was he didn't seem to treat him as a person at all, just a physical obstacle. That's a shame, as I'd always thought of W-A as one of the friendlier, kinder royals.

The King absolutely is a very friendly and easygoing fellow, as has been proved thousands and thousands of times. But he is very protective of his ladies. Keep in mind he witnessed a lunatic ramming his car in a vain attempt to kill the royal family at the cost of 7 deaths and countless wounded (Queen's Day 2009).

He is sharp on having free way. And as a King he is used to see the crowd opening for him like the Red Sea for Moses. So the mass attention and all the cameras almost without a barrier on him and his ladies worked like a red cloth on a bull: His Majesty is not amused.

That is all. As a member of Dutch Parliament once stated in a debate: "We are discussing the royal family. Not the Holy Family." We are all human. Even the King. This not being amused with intrusive beaviour is what he shares with his mother Queen Beatrix "Hoe onhebbelijk!" ("How unacceptable!") or his grandmother Queen Juliana "No, no, they did NOT deserve it!" (on the question if she was willing to halt and to pose?).

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Marengo

It seems she was having a wonderful time. I can not imagine ever seeing Beatrix like this, but in those days there were no cameras on telephones. Of course we have seen Máxima dancing on many occasions before, also in public. The comments in the Dutch press/ social media/ television has almost been 100% positive.
[....]

I have seen images of Princess Beatrix dancing at the famous Opernball in the Wiener Staatoper. And of course dancing with Prince Claus during various festive events. Queen Juliana the same. But indeed not in this setting, in a caseta somewhere in Andalucía.


http://proxy.handle.net/10648/adc7fa...8-003048976d84

[eya]

The King and Queen a night out singing yesterday. They are at Royal Parklive (in the garden of Soestdijk Palace) to see BLOF perform.


https://twitter.com/i/status/1146864916881641478

[iceflower]

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were spotted shopping in New York City yesterday, July 16.


Máxima had a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to mark the 10th anniversary of UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) at the United Nations headquarters, see here, so it seems the family has taken the opportunity to spend some summer days in the USA.


** krone.at: Königin Maxima auf Schnäppchenjagd in New York **


** dm: Playing tourist! Dutch Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander keep a VERY low profile as they shop at Gap..**

[ashelen]

https://us.hola.com/royals/gallery/2...r-new-plane/1/
Nice! would love to fly in this plane1

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by iceflower

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were spotted shopping in New York City yesterday, July 16.


Máxima had a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to mark the 10th anniversary of UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) at the United Nations headquarters, see here, so it seems the family has taken the opportunity to spend some summer days in the USA.


** krone.at: Königin Maxima auf Schnäppchenjagd in New York **


** dm: Playing tourist! Dutch Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander keep a VERY low profile as they shop at Gap..**

The princesses' summer break doesn't start until this upcoming Friday (most years their last day of school would also be the day of their summer photo call). So, I assume it's just Willem-Alexander and Máxima enjoying New York together while the girls finish their exams (Amalia and Alexia) or classes (Ariane).

[HereditaryPrincess]

Nice to see that WA and Maxima treated themselves to some downtime after the trip! Royals get amazing opportunities to visit wonderful places, so I'm not surprised they make a sort-of holiday out of them in their spare hours.

[suztav]

I was happy to see that the King and Queen were able to walk about NYC anonymously. But does anyone else find it curious that they bought stuff from the Container Store? I mean what could possibly be in the Container Store that they can't already buy in The Netherlands? I think it's just funny :)

As for the Queen in Sephora -- I'm a woman and I get it! :)

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by suztav

I was happy to see that the King and Queen were able to walk about NYC anonymously. But does anyone else find it curious that they bought stuff from the Container Store? I mean what could possibly be in the Container Store that they can't already buy in The Netherlands? I think it's just funny :)

As for the Queen in Sephora -- I'm a woman and I get it! :)

Queen Máxima can get e-ve-ry-thing she ever wants. I think it is not necessarily the stuff from the Container Store, but simply the fact that she still can "go shopping", which seems a favourite pastime for lots of ladies. It must be nice to stroll around, to go in and out shops, buy something nice.

[Katymcwaity]

Oddly, its something that happens to me when I go on holiday. I love going in all the shops even though they are the same shops as at home with same products and then flying back with it. It’s crazy

[ashelen]

Originally Posted by suztav

I was happy to see that the King and Queen were able to walk about NYC anonymously. But does anyone else find it curious that they bought stuff from the Container Store? I mean what could possibly be in the Container Store that they can't already buy in The Netherlands? I think it's just funny :)

As for the Queen in Sephora -- I'm a woman and I get it! :)

I thought exactly the same! Also I am sure she is not into the kitchen or organizing wardrobes, unless something for her desk, or the girls! but seriously the container store it is too funny!

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by fandesacs2003

Could you please post the accounts? Thanks

The deoranjes-blog observed that Alexia responded to several fan-accounts stating that those accounts were fake.

Previously, she wrote a blogpost on Alexia's fashion account. Unfortunately, that blogpost no longer exists.

Neither Amalia's nor Alexia's public account are still in use. The last post date from 2018 (right before it became publicly known).

[Iolanthe]

Originally Posted by Somebody

The deoranjes-blog observed that Alexia responded to several fan-accounts stating that those accounts were fake.

Previously, she wrote a blogpost on Alexia's fashion account. Unfortunately, that blogpost no longer exists.

Alexia:
https://www.adelswelt.de/aktuell/ins...er-niederlande

Amalia:
https://www.adelswelt.de/aktuell/ins...nzessin-amalia

(I feel it's okay to post this information, because both accounts are public (And both girls have stopped posting a long while ago without deleting their posts). I understand that one can still argue against it - but in this case I don't see the harm)