10 years on the throne for King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands

[Izzie]

Princess Beatrix did the right thing to abdicate in 2013 on behalf of prince Willem Alexander, after all the princess had a few health problems and didn't want to continue till the day she dies, prince Willem Alexander at that time reached the right age to become king and he is married. Not like the queen of Denmark & the king in Norway with their health problems, both their sons are ready to become kings.

Agreed. Huge respect for Princess Beatrix for having the selflessness and awareness to know when it was time and allowing the monarchy to move forward. That's putting the future of the monarch first and ensuring the future. Plus, notice how she is still very visible, attends functions and has her own engagements.

The King Day activities looked very fun! Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time celebrating! Lovely to see.

 

[Blog Real]

An interesting discussion tonight at Op1, the daily discussion programme on the first public channel. They mentioned the lower ratings for the King and finally somebody actually defended the monarchy, the mayor of Rotterdam Mr. Ahmed Aboutaleb.

He pointed out that he had meetings in private with the king where they discussed the present state of dissatisfaction among such a large part of society. The King asked him how the mayor succeeded in keeping up to date. The mayor said he would simply go somewhere unannounced and have discussions with people. He invited the king to come along. The King did so, spoke for hours with people and about their problems. He has done so often. These kinds of visits, though high in content will go by unnoticed. They are not announced, there is little or no press. But they are important to those that are visited. It sounds familiar as the NRC article above mentioned the same thing.

A cynic would say that it would be better for the King to focus less on content and more on PR. It has served the political parties well that have done so.

Jan Kees Emmer, a veteran royal reporter agreed with the mayor. He added another interesting observation which I have not seen stated so clearly before. He mentioned that the press had changed enormously. Ten years ago royalty reporting would -in most newspapers and television stations- still fall under the duties of political editors, who would focus on the content of a visit. The last ten years this has changed and now most newspapers and news channels -with a few exceptions- it will fall under the entertainment reporters. They will naturally focus on other aspects of these visits. As a result people will see less of what the royals actually do and more about other aspects.

Add to this the large group of chronically dissatisfied citizens that our country is plagued with. Unlike in Beatrix' times today we do not only have the caviar left - who think that they are far too clever to have a king - as anti monarchists. We now also have an increasing number of right wing populists and a frightfully loud group of insane conspiracy-theorists attacking the king, such as these last two days for the king discussing slavery with representatives in Rotterdam or the handing out of a royal decoration to an activist of the group 'kick-out black Pete'.

As a response to one of the questions today the King said that he has always tried to unite people, but he added the caveat that for that to work people need to want to be united. And considering the extremely polarised political situation that the country is in that seems to get harder and harder, especially on the populist right wing of the political spectrum, which is far larger than the other side. The monarchy is stuck in the middle receiving blow after blow for either being too 'woke' or for not being activist enough.

This seems to be worrying. What can the King do?

 

[ronald biver]

King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands

This seems to be worrying. What can the King do?

Popularity comes and goes, including the royals in general, so let's not get "heavy about it". Did you see the film clip in Rotterdam? I saw the whole film clip of the Kingsday in Rotterdam. it was a huge crowd in front of the Foodhall with 2 video screens, they were more than 100.000 people. Let's enjoy the moment of the king's birthday and not worry what people say and what if........!

 

[Somebody]

I still have to listen to the latest two podcasts but wanted to make sure that Duc_et_Pair's discussion of it was included in this topic.

In this week's podcast (10 podcasts because of his Jubilee) the King looked back to the year with that travel to his residence in Greece. He admitted it was "the worst assessment I ever made in my life" and "I absolutely deserved all possible criticism on it."

The King actually wanted to show that - despite lockdown- travels were still possible and allowed (which was totally true). However he underestimated the optics of many people living with restrictions while their King went on a foreign holiday. The King took all blame on him.

At the same time he acknowledged that the planned trip was for many weeks known in a wide circle (the Government, the Household, the King's councillors) but no one, "not one" has uttered any word about it.

The King revealed that after return "it has thundered at the palace" because when he makes poor assessments - and why not - his surroundings should stand up and object. That no one has uttered an objection opened the King's eyes and caused a review of how the Court Organisation works.

It gave a little Putin vibe: no one telling Putin that the war is not at all going to plan. It shocked me that even in 2021 apparently experienced and well-paid professionals at the Court came no furtherer than "Yes, Your Majesty. Sure, Your Majesty. As you wish, Your Majesty"....

The King already revealed it in the first podcast. As Prince of Orange he so now and then had ideas which he brought forward during the weekly secretarie at Noordeinde Palace (the Queen in conclave with the top of the Household Organization). He was used that his ideas were, one by one, shot down.

But - to his own amazement- when he became the King himself, all his ides were welcomed during the weekly secretarie ("Yes, Your Majesty! Your wish is my command".) During the first podcast the King told the amazement turned into fun as all his wishes simply were fulfilled. Now he realized true and honest feedback seem difficult - for whatever reasons - inside the Royal Household Agency.

I recall that in the first podcast the king already explained that it was truly important to him that his court would not just go along with everything he said but would review those ideas critically (not that he thought it was fun that everyone did as he said - that was troublesome). Based on what you are describing here, it seems that he mainly learned this lesson due to this Greek holiday disaster.

 

[Izzie]

Interesting about his ideas being shot down as Crown Prince (even if maybe they were good ideas and suggestions) but then as King things were approved. I wonder if that happens in other royal families.

Can't believe it has been 10years already and he is still young and in his prime. He will most certainly have more than enough years to make his own mark on the monarchy until the time comes where he hands the reigns over to Princess Amalia.

I wonder if he will discuss what it means to him to have his mother still there to provide support and advice. And how that shift in relationship has worked. It would be interesting to hear his thoughts on that.

 

[Somebody]

Interesting about his ideas being shot down as Crown Prince (even if maybe they were good ideas and suggestions) but then as King things were approved. I wonder if that happens in other royal families.

For clarification. He didn't say that all his ideas were shot down when he was still the Prince of Orange but he did discuss how when he became king, at some point he started to notice that the staff just went ahead and did whatever he asked instead of questioning his ideas critically like they used to do.

Nonetheless, it does show that it matters whether you are the real deal (monarch) or 'just' the heir in how you are treated by staff.

 

[Izzie]

For clarification. He didn't say that all his ideas were shot down when he was still the Prince of Orange but he did discuss how when he became king, at some point he started to notice that the staff just went ahead and did whatever he asked instead of questioning his ideas critically like they used to do.

Nonetheless, it does show that it matters whether you are the real deal (monarch) or 'just' the heir in how you are treated by staff.

Thanks for the clarification. But, yes, there is a difference...even if "just" the heir has put forth good ideas or suggestions that would improve the running of things, modernize something within the administration, etc....but it is shot down maybe because of where it comes from or the "boss" vetoes it.

It is also never good to just have "yes" people around you.

 

[Muhler]

I think it's very much a universal problem within monarchies.

Especially after a period. Because those who stay on are either in full agreement with how things are run - with the result that the reign begins to stagnate.
Others simply say yes, and do as they are told. Either because they don't want to lose their good (and often high status and very secure) job or - and that's problematic - the monarch is a poor leader, who doesn't listen.

Also after a while those who disagree with the policy of the new monarch either leave or are quietly sidelined.

So the solution is a combination:
A strong chief of staff, who can ensure that the monarch gets genuine sound advise, including being discouraged. While at the same time maintain a dynamic court, who work together as a team. And who is also strong enough to ensure that the court doesn't evolve into various fractions each trying to influence the monarch.
A monarch who is ready to listen, but also willing to take charge when needed. So a course in business management would perhaps be a good idea, now that not all heirs are expected to become serving officers and in that way get a leadership education and experience.
And an heir, who is both respected and willing to respect how things are run and who will gradually become more and more influential. So that the transition to the next reign becomes more fluent.

And then there is the joker, the consort.
The consort is the most important sparring partner for the monarch, the unofficial personal advisor, the most important team-player and the one who can show an alternative way of doing things - which sometimes turns out to be very beneficial. It's the case of the outsider coming into an institution with fresh eyes and a different approach to how thing can be done.
- In the ideal world, that is...

Because in DK Prince Henrik had quite a few clashes with the staff. Who, according to PH, ignored him and didn't respect him. The real reason was no doubt more complex. After all QMII was and is the boss. PH did not have a Constitutional role and PH's role and position was not clear..
He ended up pretty much being in control of the household and the protocol issues.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

I think it's very much a universal problem within monarchies.

Especially after a period. Because those who stay on are either in full agreement with how things are run - with the result that the reign begins to stagnate.
Others simply say yes, and do as they are told. Either because they don't want to lose their good (and often high status and very secure) job or - and that's problematic - the monarch is a poor leader, who doesn't listen.

Also after a while those who disagree with the policy of the new monarch either leave or are quietly sidelined.

So the solution is a combination:
A strong chief of staff, who can ensure that the monarch gets genuine sound advise, including being discouraged. While at the same time maintain a dynamic court, who work together as a team. And who is also strong enough to ensure that the court doesn't evolve into various fractions each trying to influence the monarch.
A monarch who is ready to listen, but also willing to take charge when needed. So a course in business management would perhaps be a good idea, now that not all heirs are expected to become serving officers and in that way get a leadership education and experience.
And an heir, who is both respected and willing to respect how things are run and who will gradually become more and more influential. So that the transition to the next reign becomes more fluent.

And then there is the joker, the consort.
The consort is the most important sparring partner for the monarch, the unofficial personal advisor, the most important team-player and the one who can show an alternative way of doing things - which sometimes turns out to be very beneficial. It's the case of the outsider coming into an institution with fresh eyes and a different approach to how thing can be done.
- In the ideal world, that is...

Because in DK Prince Henrik had quite a few clashes with the staff. Who, according to PH, ignored him and didn't respect him. The real reason was no doubt more complex. After all QMII was and is the boss. PH did not have a Constitutional role and PH's role and position was not clear..
He ended up pretty much being in control of the household and the protocol issues.

Thanks. The interesting thing is that two things apparently did not work.

Situation 1
Before Queen Beatrix the Household used to be a clique of blue-blooded us-knows-us, being a Kamerheer, or a Dame-du-Palais, or a Grootmeester for almost a lifetime, not seldom simply serving as long (or longer) as the King's or Queen's own reign.

During crises at the palace then Princess Beatrix noted byzantine machinations and - for an example- a "Juliana camp" and a "Bernhard camp" obstructing each other.

Situation 2
Queen Beatrix wanted to end the traditional clique of functionaries more chosen because they come from loyal noble and patrician families than because they are professionals. She ordered the Royal Household Agency to be instructed in detailed handbooks, protocols and processes, all ISO certified and standardised.

To prevent "cliques" the Court would only use officials from ministerial departments, the diplomatic service and the armed forces for a limited period (three years or so). Almost always such a top job at the Court is an excellent jump-start for becoming an Ambassador in a prestigious capital.

Unwanted effect of situation 1
A court clique of blue-blooded us-knows-us so intertwined with the Royal House that they simply lack the distance to be honest and being critical and step on the brakes.

Unwanted effect of situation 2
The highly skilled, experienced and well-paid officials are detached into the Royal Household for a limited period. Some three years. Exactly to prevent an us-knows-us atmosphere. However they all know this is the best possible jump-start for becoming an Ambassadeur in Paris, Berlin or Washington and this also effects that they become uncritical "yes-sayers".

It seems very difficult to organize a Household so that a King, whom of course sits on that position for three, four decades, gets honest feedback, even when a King seems an accessible person for it, like Willem-Alexander

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

To come back on my previous post: see Luxembourg where an (over?) active Prime Minister drops heavyweights into the Court Organisation, directly ressorting under his authority.

Still these top-functionaries with a direct mandate seem to clash with the Grand-Duchess and it is unclear if the Grand-Duke gets honest feedback and indeed has the desired functionaries willing to oppose him and step on the brakes.

It looks like working for royal households has a sort of paralysing effect on people's normal assessments and workings.