Long live the king!
Apr 30th, 2013, 06:21 AM
#21
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PalenQ and flanneruk:
Please take it to the lounge.
It wasn't much of a ceremony compared to the Brits, but that is the Dutch for you. Why did they get the crown out and not plant it on Willem's head? The new Queen was having the time of her life.
Please take it to the lounge.
It wasn't much of a ceremony compared to the Brits, but that is the Dutch for you. Why did they get the crown out and not plant it on Willem's head? The new Queen was having the time of her life.
Apr 30th, 2013, 06:53 AM
#22
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Curious that they announced new guidelines on what can be posted, but PalenQ is allowed to come on here and attack the Dutch for their political institutions.
I guess the "no politics" rule is not enforced?
I guess the "no politics" rule is not enforced?
Apr 30th, 2013, 08:01 AM
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 18,033
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why is he not crowned?
Because crowning is a sacrement. Who would crown him? There is no single head of the Church in the Netherlands as there is in the UK. There is no official church even.
He rules by will of the people, not of God and Church and State are separate. There is no religious element to the ceremony, even though it takes place in a church.
The crown represents sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the ceremony.
None of the Scandanavian Royals are crowned either. Indeed in Denmark Margrethe never even had a ceremony - she just became Queen on her fathers death, and that was that.
The crown is actually silver gilt with glass and pearls, not jewels btw.
Because crowning is a sacrement. Who would crown him? There is no single head of the Church in the Netherlands as there is in the UK. There is no official church even.
He rules by will of the people, not of God and Church and State are separate. There is no religious element to the ceremony, even though it takes place in a church.
The crown represents sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the ceremony.
None of the Scandanavian Royals are crowned either. Indeed in Denmark Margrethe never even had a ceremony - she just became Queen on her fathers death, and that was that.
The crown is actually silver gilt with glass and pearls, not jewels btw.
Apr 30th, 2013, 08:06 AM
#24
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<<Hopefully Robyn (artstuff) will do a trip report. She is in Amsterdam today I believe.>>>
I have other friends in Amsterdam today - looking forward to seeing their pix. I wonder if my DS and DDIL were able to get there, but I don't know yet.
I have other friends in Amsterdam today - looking forward to seeing their pix. I wonder if my DS and DDIL were able to get there, but I don't know yet.
Apr 30th, 2013, 08:35 AM
#26
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I noticed that it was very firmly a parliamentary occasion, with a chairman to open and close the proceedings and even give out a few "parish notices". A UK equivalent would be more like a combination of the State Opening of Parliament and the business at the start of a Parliament where every member has to take the oath.
Apr 30th, 2013, 08:59 AM
#28
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,825
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting WA directly referenced the Abandonment Act of 1581, where it is stated that it is not the King who rules his people, but that's the people that decides on its own form of government. Emblematic, I think, for the balancing act that is The Netherlands: by nature a republic with a hereditary head of state. In that sense it is the continuation of the Republican style of government. It is the King who is guest in a joint meeting of the "States", the states that used to make up the Dutch Republic.
"Why did they get the crown out and not plant it on Willem's head?"
Because it is not a coronation. The objects on the "table of credence" represent the authority of Dutch government, which is the King and the Government combined. The King is very much a functionary, which shows, because Beatrix was able to resign, to make way for her son.
"Why did they get the crown out and not plant it on Willem's head?"
Because it is not a coronation. The objects on the "table of credence" represent the authority of Dutch government, which is the King and the Government combined. The King is very much a functionary, which shows, because Beatrix was able to resign, to make way for her son.
Apr 30th, 2013, 11:23 PM
#32
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,324
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And interesting that they set aside 5 locations for people to demonstrate, should they wish to do so, but only at one of those locations, about 50 showed up. I think it's clear that this monarchy is supported by the people.
May 1st, 2013, 01:32 AM
#33
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For great pics of the event with attending royalty:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...therlands.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...therlands.html
May 1st, 2013, 02:03 AM
#34
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>I think it's clear that this monarchy is supported by the people.<<
From somewhere I picked up a reference to a poll suggesting about 20% consider themselves republicans, and vox pop interviews suggesting a large number of people not particularly bothered one way or the other as long as whoever's in does the job properly, whatever that might be. I did notice on the TV coverage the crowds in Dam Square were much thinner for the inauguration ceremony than for the morning's balcony appearance after the abdication signature ceremony. But the weather and the competition from general partying and doorstep junk sales might have had something to do with that.
From somewhere I picked up a reference to a poll suggesting about 20% consider themselves republicans, and vox pop interviews suggesting a large number of people not particularly bothered one way or the other as long as whoever's in does the job properly, whatever that might be. I did notice on the TV coverage the crowds in Dam Square were much thinner for the inauguration ceremony than for the morning's balcony appearance after the abdication signature ceremony. But the weather and the competition from general partying and doorstep junk sales might have had something to do with that.
May 1st, 2013, 02:21 AM
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 18,033
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lots of people stayed at home and watched it on the telly I think.
Also people tend not to head for Amsterdam for Koninginnedag any more after the chaos a few years back. Many were afraid it would be packed to the gunnels again this year so chose not to go.
Local celebrations went on as normal between the events surrounding the abdication and inauguration. Our vrijemarkt wasn't too busy when I went but my DIL says it was crowded later, and the music and fireworks in the evening were well attended.
I'd be happier with the Oranjes if they cost less, and paid their taxes, especially when everyone else is subject to the government's austerity programme.
They cost more than the Windsors do.
Also people tend not to head for Amsterdam for Koninginnedag any more after the chaos a few years back. Many were afraid it would be packed to the gunnels again this year so chose not to go.
Local celebrations went on as normal between the events surrounding the abdication and inauguration. Our vrijemarkt wasn't too busy when I went but my DIL says it was crowded later, and the music and fireworks in the evening were well attended.
I'd be happier with the Oranjes if they cost less, and paid their taxes, especially when everyone else is subject to the government's austerity programme.
They cost more than the Windsors do.
Seriously?
May 1st, 2013, 06:03 AM
#38
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for sharing those pictures, latedaytraveler.
The little Princesses are darling and I especially liked their yellow dresses (the blue with capes not so much). And Princess Amalia is second in line to the throne. What a life she must lead!
I find the royalty stuff really fascinating.
The little Princesses are darling and I especially liked their yellow dresses (the blue with capes not so much). And Princess Amalia is second in line to the throne. What a life she must lead!
I find the royalty stuff really fascinating.
