Showing posts with label The Netherlands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Netherlands. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Dutch Prince Johan Friso fighting for his life after avalanche accident


Prince Friso of the Netherlands is fighting for his life in a coma after being buried under an avalanche in Austria.
Doctors have said they will not be able to say before the end of the week if he will live or die.
Friso was trapped under the snow for 15 minutes on Friday while ski-ing off piste in the resort of Lech – where the Dutch royals traditionally take their winter break.
The 43-year-old, who was visited in hospital on Sunday by his mother Queen Beatrix and wife Princess Mabel – has been unconscious ever since he was airlifted to safety.
Officials said Prince Friso – pictured with Mabel and their daughters Luana, seven, and Zaria, five – is stable, but in a critical condition.
Prince Friso's skiing companion has been questioned over the avalanche, say prosecutors.
The 42-year-old friend, who Dutch media have identified as the director of the hotel where the royals are staying, has been questioned by police.
A routine investigation has been opened, and may last several weeks.
Friso's companion, who is also a childhood friend, escaped injury thanks to an avalanche airbag – which inflates to keep skiers at the top of the snowfall.


(thank you Marcia for the corrections)


Sunday, January 15, 2012

Queen Beatrix, Prince Willem-Alexander & Princess Maxima in Middle-East trip to UAE & Oman


This caption stirred a row in the Netherlands, for the fact the Queen and Princess Maxima used veils in a sacred place. No comments.



On January 8th, Queen Beatrix accompanied by Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife, Princess Máxima, and a delegation of business leaders visited the UAE, invited by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This was the Queen’s fiftieth state visit since she was crowned in 1980.


On January 10th, the Queen and her entourage traveled on to Oman at the invitation of Sultan Qaboos. A prior state visit, planned in March, was called off in view of the ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations and the violent crackdown by Oman’s authorities. The Dutch parliament cancelled the state visit after two demonstrators died in clashes with Omani security forces in February. Dutch MPs did not want the state visit to be seen as endorsing the regime. In a surprise move, Queen Beatrix travelled to Oman after all, arguing her tip had been downgraded to a private visit.


Sultan Qaboos is Oman’s head of state, prime minister, defence minister, foreign minister and the head of the armed forces. The country has no legal political parties.


The UAE is a federation of seven absolute monarchies. The Federal National Council consists of 40 members drawn from all the emirates. Half are appointed by the emirates’ rulers, and the other half are indirectly elected to serve two-year terms.The first indirect elections took place in 2006.


source of the article
source of the photos







Monday, December 26, 2011

My royal news preview for 2012


Belgium
What I said about 2011: Well, as much as I really like the Brabants, I do not see nothing new happening in this family. Everybody is more or less well married, full of kids and they have enough political problems to deal with already. Might be a quiet year for Belgian monarchy. 
What really happened: well, nothing special happened this year. Except a very rebel Prince Laurent but we are getting used to it. 
What about 2012: nothing special again yet... I have to confess I am a bit afraid for Queen Fabiola and King Albert II's healths.



Denmark
What I said about 2011Oh yeahhhhhhhhhh! babies, two babies on the way! maybe three (if princess Marie is pregnant sometime during the year?). How excited are we about those twins? will it be a boy and a girl? two boys? two girls? what will be the names? I am very excited. It can happen anytime soon. It can be happening now, as you read this!
What really happened: and we got babies! Two! In January! Josephine and Vincent joined Christian and Isabella for the CP couple tribe. And YES, Princess Marie is very pregnant, so we will have more babies next year. 
What about 2012: I think it will be a boy for Prince Joachim and Princess Marie (a second for her and a fourth for her husband) + big celebration (tiara-like) for Queen Margrethe II's 40th year of reign.

Liechtenstein
What I said about 2011: Well, they are like that side to each family that never call or give news. Therefore, we do not know much about them and they do not know much about us. But we hope they are still alive and well and if we get to get any news, we hope they will be full of joy.
What really happened: Tatjana had a 7th kid. God BLESS HER! Seven children in twelve years of marriage!
What about 2012Nothing.



Luxembourg
What I said about 2011What could possibly happen in Luxembourg in the future?
What really happened: Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume turned 30.
What about 2012An engagement announcement for Guillaume, perhaps?

Monaco
What I said about 2011This will be a big year for Monaco. The eternal-bachelor Prince Albert II is finally getting married to his beautiful South African goddess, Charlene Wittstock. She already looks like a princess, making us, royal watchers, damn proud.
This might also be the year we see Princess Caroline finally getting a divorce after so many public appearances without her husband, Prince Ernst of Hannover. Hope they do not keep that quiet so that is does not cause a turmoil: it already is a turmoil!
I do not see any engagements for now. Caroline's three older kids, the Casiraghi gang, are all dating seriously for years but still young and enjoying life and its bliss.
What really happened: The marriage went on (unfortunately, under a turmoil of rumours...) but we all think Charlene - sorry, Princess Charlene! - already has a bunny in the oven. It would not surprise me.
Oh, and Caroline did not get a divorce (I may think now that she never will), but her husband was seen holidaying in beaches with a 23 yo. Creepy. And the Casiraghi trio is faithful to itself: dating seriously with their 3 long termn partners but not engaged.
What about 2012a babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

The Netherlands
What I said about 2011Well, I think the same as of the Brabants for the Oranje. They are all set, married and working a lot to make the world a better place. I do not think any new pregnancies will be announced this year. It will be a year of growth, but not in quantity but as of quality for the Dutch.
What really happened: nothing new. Only highlight for me was Maxima's 40th birthday!
What about 2012nothing.

Norway
What I said about 2011I do not see either Mette-Marit or Martha-Louise being pregnant this year. The first is working hard alongside her husband to promote their country, their family (their youtube channel is a success) and Martha-Louise is too busy talking to angels (and defending herself on the matter).
What really happened: nothing special for the royal family. Maybe with the exception of CP Haakon & Mette-Marit 10 year anniversary celebration that was beautiful, specially after a period of deep mourning for Norway this year.
What about 2012nothing.



Spain
What I said about 2011There has been much speculation on whether King Juan Carlos resigns or not and makes his son - Crown Prince Felipe - King. I really don't know about this. I know his health is failing on him but I do not know how ready Felipe (or Spain) is ready to be made King this promptly. Time will tell. As for kids, I don't think Letizia will be pregnant again this year. Or ever again.
And I think it would be nice to see Infanta Elena move on with her love life. But thing is that she is one of the most discreet women in the world. Even if something was going on, she would preserve herself from the hassle of spotlight.
What really happened: King Juan Carlos I did not abdicate - but his (poor) health has been in the spotlight for a long time now. Nothing new for the Prince & Princess of Asturias nor Elena. But Infanta Cristina's husband Iñaki has been in the turmoil of scandal regarding his business activities. A pity, let me tell you.
What about 2012nothing (hoping Iñaki does not go to jail...).

Sweden
What I said about 2011Could Victoria get pregnant this year, pretty please? Oh well, I would understand if she did not, as she seems to be enjoying her marriage like a young teen. And I am happy for her. But I hope a pregnancy comes along in 2011 or early 2012. Wouldn't we be ecstatic?
As for Madeleine, I hope she finds a new true love and can feel better and free to be back to Sweden on a normal basis, as she now "ran away" to New York to overcome her terrible break. I wish nothing but the best to her. Becoming more like her sister (physically) is also happening. Did you notice that?
As for Carl Orlando Bloom Philip, will he try to make his girlfriend, Sofia Hellqvist into a more... royal material? let's see what happens. I am excited!
What really happened: SHE. IS. PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What about 2012as for Princess Marie of Denmark, I also think CP Victoria and Prince Daniel will have a baby boy. Madeleine will continue in NY and, who knows, Carl Philip might introduce us officially to Sofia...

United-Kingdom
What I said about 2011Dear oh dear, this might be better than 1981. 30 years after, we finally have a wedding we are really looking VERY forward to. It will be massive, lavish but not too much and just a festival of happy tears, I feel it already. Let's not "overtalk" about it (at least, I know I won't on RO), just a constant stream of news without overdoing it. We want to be happy about the news and not vomit about William and Kate, do we agree?
I think this year can be Harry's. I mean, he is just THE bachelor, the free spirit, the grounded boy, the humanitarian, the man. The best man. His brother's best man, per se. He can grow a few years older this year. And I am pretty much looking forward to that.
And we also have the queen's Jubilee. But who could really only focus on it while we are longing for such a big wedding?
What really happened: okay, I made a mistake last year, the Jubilee is taking place in 2012. But the wedding went pretty well, watched by 2 billion people - I cried - and so did Zara's wedding to Mike Tindall. Now Prince William is The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, as predicted, is THE man. Plus, Autumn and Peter Phillips are expecting a baby.
What about 2012loads of trips for all the royal members for the Queen's Jubilee, a hopeful recovery for Prince Philip's health (he spent Christmas at the hospital) and MAYBE a pregnancy for Zara (but not for Catherine. Not yet). And Peter and Autumn Phillips might have a baby girl, a little sister to their Savannah. And Prince Harry still since and happy just like that!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Check out what my favorite Royal Watchers have been talking about!

Swedish RF meets Nobel Prize committee


Take a look at what my favorite Royal Watchers have been writing and talking about this week!


Saturday, December 3, 2011

[The Netherlands] Queen Beatrix hosts dinner for Mali's president, Amadou Toumani Toure and his wife



December 2nd, 2011 - Official photo of President of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré and and Mrs Touré Lobbo Traoré with Queen Beatrix, Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima. The President was in the Netherlands for a 3 day official visit in The Netherlands

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Spotted in Red #1 - Princess Maxima


Princess Maxima of The Netherlands attends the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund Awards on November 28, 2011 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

I love this dress, the cut and not to mention, THE COLOUR!


Monday, June 6, 2011

[The Netherlands] Princess Maxima's 40th royal birthday concert - The Belgians

What a wonderful couple! Princess Mathilde and Prince Philippe, Duchess and Duke of Brabant

What a glow this woman has!

Love her dress!


[The Netherlands] Princess Maxima's 40th royal birthday concert - The Danish

Our lovely young mom of four was looking good in rose pastel.



[The Netherlands] Princess Maxima's 40th royal birthday concert - The Norwegians

We see Martha-Louise so little that I tend to forget how beautiful she is.

Yummy Crown Prince Haakon. Wifeless for this event.
Things I didn't forget about Martha-Louise: she still has the most gorgeous husband in town! 
Behind them, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg and Princess Carolina of Bourbon Parma, Princess Irene's daughter


[The Netherlands] Princess Maxima's 40th royal birthday concert - The Family

Maxima's parents (Maria Del Carmen & Jorge Zorreguieta) & her brother Martin with her and her husband, Prince Willem-Alexander

Oops! Maxima's dad step onto her dress!

Prince Friso & wife Princess Mabel

Pieter van Vollenhoven & his wife, Princess Margriet, sister of the Queen

Princess Anita & husband Prince Pieter-Christiaan of Orange-Nassau, the son of Princess Margriet

sources: 1, 2 & 3


[The Netherlands] Princess Maxima's 40th royal birthday concert - other guests

Prince Karim Aga Khan & Maria Del Carmen, Maxima's mother

Rosario of Bulgaria


[The Netherlands] Princess Maxima's 40th royal birthday concert - The Greeks

Princess Marie-Chantal & husband, Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece

Princess Tatiana & Prince Nikolaos

"Strike a pose" couple ;)

Sunday, June 5, 2011

[The Netherlands] Princess Maxima's 40th royal birthday concert - all the guests together

On the far left, we can see Princess Christina and Princess Irene, Queen Beatrix sisters. On the far right, another of the Queen's sisters, Princess Margriet.

On the third row, we can see Maxima's sisters-in-law, Princess Laurentien and Princess Mabel, Princes Constantijn and Friso's wives respectively. 

[The Netherlands] Princess Maxima's 40th royal birthday concert

It was Princess Maxima's birthday last month so she gathered her best royal friends to celebrate her 40th birthday in a concert on May 28th.

In a speech during the event, she thanked her mother-in-law, Queen Beatrix, and her husband, Prince Willem-Alexander, for their support


She looked dashing in orange. Goes perfectly with her skin tone.



source of the photos 1 and 2

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Royal Births and Anniversaries in June

Births


June 1st
1985: Prince Christian of Hanover, son of Prince Ernst-August
June 2nd
1938: Princess Désirée, sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
June 3rd
1984: Prince Felix of Luxembourg
2006: Countess Leonore, daughter of Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands
June 4th
1990: Jetsun Pema, fiancée of the King of Bhutan
June 5th
1962: Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este
2005: Doña Irene, daughter of Infanta Cristina of Spain
June 6th
1934: King Albert II of the Belgians
June 7th
1969: Prince Joachim of Denmark
June 8th
1984: Andrea Casiraghi
2002: Countess Eloise, daughter of Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands
June 9th
1930: Princess Ragnhild of Norway, sister of King Harald V
June 10th
1921: Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh
1982: Princess Madeleine of Sweden
June 11th
1928: Queen Fabiola of Belgium
1934: Prince Henrik of Denmark, Count of Monpezat
1968: Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein
June 12th
1968: Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, daughter-in-law of Grand Duke Jean
June 13th
1965: Infanta Cristina of Spain
June 17th
1977: Bernardo Guillermo, nephew of Queen Beatrix
June 18th
2006: Countess Zaria, daughter of Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau
June 20th
1946: The Duchess of Gloucester
June 21st
1982: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
June 26th
1962: The Earl of St Andrews
1987: Princess Marie-Astrid, daughter of Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein
2005: Princess Alexia, daughter of Prince Willem-Alexander of Orange
June 30th
1964: Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, former wife of Prince Joachim of Denmark


Anniversaries


June 5th
1999: Princess Tatjana of Liechtenstein and Philipp von Lattorff's wedding anniversary
June 6th
1998: Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Jefferson von Pfeil und Klein-Ellgut's wedding anniversary
June 8th
1961: The Duke and Duchess of Kent's wedding anniversary
June 10th
1967: Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik of Denmark's wedding anniversary
June 19th
1976: King Carl XVI Gustaf & Queen Silvia of Sweden's wedding anniversary
1999: The Earl and Countess of Wessex's wedding anniversary
2010: Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden's wedding anniversary
June 22nd
2002: The Earl and Countess of Ulster's wedding anniversary
June 30th
1978: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's wedding anniversary

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Happy Birthday, Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands (and happy wedding anniversary too!)


Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands (née Petra Laurentien Brinkhorst; born 25 May 1966 in Leiden, Netherlands) is the wife of Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, the third son of Queen Beatrix. She is part of that crew of crazy and bubbly daughters-in-law the Queen has. 
And it is not only her birthday she has been celebrating: 10 years ago, she married her Prince. The civil marriage was conducted by the mayor of The Hague, Wim Deetman, in the Oude Raadzaal, Javastraat, The Hague, on 17 May 2001. 

The religious wedding took place two days later on 19 May in the Grote of St Jacobskerk, with Reverend Carel ter Linden officiating. I remember watching this wedding on TV5 Monde. I didn't live in France at that time yet, but came a few months after. Time flies!

Was a bit hard to put those rings on. But so cute!


They now have three children: Countess Eloise (born June 8th, 2002), Count Claus-Casimir (born March 21st, 2004) and Countess Leonore (born June 3rd, 2006).


Thursday, May 19, 2011

[When they were young] Beatrix when she was still a Princess with Akihito when he was not yet an Emperor



October 1979: Princess Beatrix, Prince Akihito, Queen Juliana, Princess Michiko and Prince Claus.
1 - Oh Bea, you didn't change a bit!
2 - I didn't know Prince Claus was that tall! Was he?
3 - Michiko was absolutely stunning! A true flower!


Queen Juliana abdicated six months after this photo. Beatrix became Queen at age 42. Akihito became Emperor nine years later, in 1989, at 54-years-old.