Henri M.
Royal Highness
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2004
- Messages
- 1,896
- City
- Eindhoven / Maastricht
- Country
- Netherlands
In the academic weekly Intermediair, there was a long article on Princess Máxima, titled: Máxima, the born Queen. It is quite a long article, with some parts of lesser interest (Dutch internal politics) but here is a summarized translation. Enjoy the reading!
On a dark evening in the autumn of 2005, the marechaussees at the gates of the royal domain De Horsten (The Eyries) halt a car at the beginning of the alley leading to the princely villa De Eikenhorst (The Eyrie in the Oakwoods). When the marechaussees approach the black car, a nervous giggling sounds. Cigarettes smoke crawls upwards along the opened window next to the driver. To their amazement the marechaussees see tonight’s visit in one car: Femke Halsema (fraction leader in the Second Chamber), her colleague Naïma Azough, Maarten van der Meer (an Amsterdam councillor) and Katelijne Buitenweg (member of the European Parliament). These politicians are all members of the Groen-Links (Green-Left) party and are publicly convinced republicans. They are invited for diner with the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima. Also delegations from other parties have regularly been invited to villa De Eikenhorst, for diners which do not rarely last until past midnight. The menu is partly Argentinean, partly Dutch, and with vegetables from the own estate.
One of the visitors tells: 'They wanted to know our opinions about a number of political themes. I was amazed that they expressed their own opinions so open and clear. It became totally lively when the couple themselves were in mutual disagreement on certain topics. They felt very easy about it.' An alderman from a large city finds it 'extremely clever' that the princely couple organizes these private evenings with prominent politicians. 'While I’m actually republican, I became a fan that evening. They are a blessing for the Netherlands thanks to their openness and their communicative skills.'
Máxima Zorreguieta came, saw and conquered. All the upheaval about her marriage with the Prince of Orange became dumbstruck after her overwhelming entrance during the princely engagement on 30 March 2001. On that moment the whole of the Netherlands wanted to engage with her, certainly since she has so clearly taken distance from the Videla-regime. Perhaps more surprising yet, is that she effortlessly remained upright since then.
[…]
Princess Máxima is by far the most popular member of the Royal House. 'It is her appearance, her flair, her joie de vivre, her exuberance, her cosmopolitanism. All are characteristics which the royal Court did not own in too large extents', says a royalty watcher. 'Queen Beatrix and Prince Willem-Alexander never seek real contact with the public. Princess Máxima tries to have a real conversation with you, including non-verbal communication.' Royalty-reporter Marc van der Linden of ‘Weekend Magazine’ endorses that Princess Máxima knows how to reach the people: 'She makes jokes, is not fearful to make physical contact or to show her emotions. I remember that she was very emotional during the awarding of the Geuzenpenning (Medaille des Gueux) to the mother of Ingrid Betancourt, the kidnapped Colombian candidate for president.’ But The Queen also shows some more of her emotions, finds Marc van der Linden. ‘I think that is Máxima’s influence.’
[….]
The nature talent is an asset for the Royal House. There is quite an unanimous opinion in that. Máxima felt out of Heaven as the rescueing angel, when Queen Beatrix’ long time so praised no-nonsense style suddenly no longer did fit so well in the mood of changing times. 'Princess Máxima lets the monarchy radiate again’ says Peter Rehwinkel, mayor of Naarden and before that spokesman for constitutional law for the Labour Party in the Second Chamber. 'She lays other accents than The Queen. Of course that lies also at her age and origin, and at the abundance that she radiates. I think I must state explicitly that Princess Máxima’s actions are no break with the trend or with the preceding and that she is also not intending that at all.' Queen Beatrix certainly is one of Princess Máxima’s example figures, thinks Peter Rehwinkel. ‘Princess Máxima may come over quite exuberantly but, like The Queen, she leaves nothing to the coincidence. For the last rehearsal of her marriage, she brought a vertically striped long curtain with her, so that she could exactly see and exercise the effects of her bridal train. A directly involved person tells: ‘She directed the bridesmaids so precisely. In Spanish indeed. But it was clear: this lady knew exactly what she wanted and knows how to impose her wishes. Considerably more than her spouse.’
(continued in next post)
On a dark evening in the autumn of 2005, the marechaussees at the gates of the royal domain De Horsten (The Eyries) halt a car at the beginning of the alley leading to the princely villa De Eikenhorst (The Eyrie in the Oakwoods). When the marechaussees approach the black car, a nervous giggling sounds. Cigarettes smoke crawls upwards along the opened window next to the driver. To their amazement the marechaussees see tonight’s visit in one car: Femke Halsema (fraction leader in the Second Chamber), her colleague Naïma Azough, Maarten van der Meer (an Amsterdam councillor) and Katelijne Buitenweg (member of the European Parliament). These politicians are all members of the Groen-Links (Green-Left) party and are publicly convinced republicans. They are invited for diner with the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima. Also delegations from other parties have regularly been invited to villa De Eikenhorst, for diners which do not rarely last until past midnight. The menu is partly Argentinean, partly Dutch, and with vegetables from the own estate.
One of the visitors tells: 'They wanted to know our opinions about a number of political themes. I was amazed that they expressed their own opinions so open and clear. It became totally lively when the couple themselves were in mutual disagreement on certain topics. They felt very easy about it.' An alderman from a large city finds it 'extremely clever' that the princely couple organizes these private evenings with prominent politicians. 'While I’m actually republican, I became a fan that evening. They are a blessing for the Netherlands thanks to their openness and their communicative skills.'
Máxima Zorreguieta came, saw and conquered. All the upheaval about her marriage with the Prince of Orange became dumbstruck after her overwhelming entrance during the princely engagement on 30 March 2001. On that moment the whole of the Netherlands wanted to engage with her, certainly since she has so clearly taken distance from the Videla-regime. Perhaps more surprising yet, is that she effortlessly remained upright since then.
[…]
Princess Máxima is by far the most popular member of the Royal House. 'It is her appearance, her flair, her joie de vivre, her exuberance, her cosmopolitanism. All are characteristics which the royal Court did not own in too large extents', says a royalty watcher. 'Queen Beatrix and Prince Willem-Alexander never seek real contact with the public. Princess Máxima tries to have a real conversation with you, including non-verbal communication.' Royalty-reporter Marc van der Linden of ‘Weekend Magazine’ endorses that Princess Máxima knows how to reach the people: 'She makes jokes, is not fearful to make physical contact or to show her emotions. I remember that she was very emotional during the awarding of the Geuzenpenning (Medaille des Gueux) to the mother of Ingrid Betancourt, the kidnapped Colombian candidate for president.’ But The Queen also shows some more of her emotions, finds Marc van der Linden. ‘I think that is Máxima’s influence.’
[….]
The nature talent is an asset for the Royal House. There is quite an unanimous opinion in that. Máxima felt out of Heaven as the rescueing angel, when Queen Beatrix’ long time so praised no-nonsense style suddenly no longer did fit so well in the mood of changing times. 'Princess Máxima lets the monarchy radiate again’ says Peter Rehwinkel, mayor of Naarden and before that spokesman for constitutional law for the Labour Party in the Second Chamber. 'She lays other accents than The Queen. Of course that lies also at her age and origin, and at the abundance that she radiates. I think I must state explicitly that Princess Máxima’s actions are no break with the trend or with the preceding and that she is also not intending that at all.' Queen Beatrix certainly is one of Princess Máxima’s example figures, thinks Peter Rehwinkel. ‘Princess Máxima may come over quite exuberantly but, like The Queen, she leaves nothing to the coincidence. For the last rehearsal of her marriage, she brought a vertically striped long curtain with her, so that she could exactly see and exercise the effects of her bridal train. A directly involved person tells: ‘She directed the bridesmaids so precisely. In Spanish indeed. But it was clear: this lady knew exactly what she wanted and knows how to impose her wishes. Considerably more than her spouse.’
(continued in next post)
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