Queen Beatrix abdicates. Willem Alexander to be King
Jan 29th, 2013, 07:30 AM
#21
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What do you really think. Flanner?
I heard an interview with the King of Norway. He agreed with you that the world's most stable democracies were constitutional monarchies. He wondered whether constitutional monarchies give rise to stable democracies or whether only stable democracies can tolerate monarchies.
I heard an interview with the King of Norway. He agreed with you that the world's most stable democracies were constitutional monarchies. He wondered whether constitutional monarchies give rise to stable democracies or whether only stable democracies can tolerate monarchies.
Jan 29th, 2013, 07:34 AM
#22
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Wow, there, Flanner, did you skip your Ritalin today? Why are you raging about the U.S. when the person who asked the question about hereditary monarchies is in Canada and the person who suggsted the succession go to William is in the UK?
Jan 30th, 2013, 01:50 AM
#23
Indeed I am in the UK LL. I support the idea of a monarchy, even though I wish they cost us a little less. I'd cut out the hangers on and reduce the state funded Royals to half a dozen or so.
I also have no wish (my opinion, nothing to do with HM's wishes) to see Camilla as Queen. I have a feeling that she wants that very much.
I also have no wish (my opinion, nothing to do with HM's wishes) to see Camilla as Queen. I have a feeling that she wants that very much.
Jan 30th, 2013, 02:02 AM
#24
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The British monarchy costs less than the Dutch, and is far more open about how much it costs.
Anyway getting back to the point of this post - it looks like most of the normal Koninginnedag events will go ahead, though it isn't clear yet whether the music on the Museumplein will go ahead or not. Obviously the area around the Dam will be a problem, but the "vrijemarkt" will be taking place as normal, not only in Amsterdam but in most towns and cities, on April 30th.
I expect it will also take place next year, on April 26th too. Not a tradition I can see changing just because the date has changed, though the weather is more likely to be bad just those couple of days earlier.
Many hotels are already fully booked for April29th and 30th so if you haven't already booked something you may have to look to another town or city for a hotel.
Anyway getting back to the point of this post - it looks like most of the normal Koninginnedag events will go ahead, though it isn't clear yet whether the music on the Museumplein will go ahead or not. Obviously the area around the Dam will be a problem, but the "vrijemarkt" will be taking place as normal, not only in Amsterdam but in most towns and cities, on April 30th.
I expect it will also take place next year, on April 26th too. Not a tradition I can see changing just because the date has changed, though the weather is more likely to be bad just those couple of days earlier.
Many hotels are already fully booked for April29th and 30th so if you haven't already booked something you may have to look to another town or city for a hotel.
Feb 7th, 2013, 04:36 PM
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Being in Amsterdam for Queen's Day has been on my bucket list, so we finally made hotel reservations last year for 2013. Who would have thought that we would end up going for the last Queen's Day! And an historic event!!
hetismij - Please keep us posted with details of events planned for the day, as they become available. Our hotel is just a few blocks from Dam Square so I can imagine the area will be extra crowded/crazy. We're staying at the Nadia on the Raadhuisstraat, and have a covered balcony with a decent view of the Homomonument and the Keizersgracht. WOO HOO! We're excited.
BTW, thinking about planning a GTG. We'll be in Amsterdam for 3 days, 18-20 April, then back again for 4 days, 30 April-3 May. hetismij, I hope you will be available for a drink and lunch. Are there any other Fodorites travelling to Amsterdam during the same time we'll be there, we would welcome the opportunity to sit and talk about travel and Amsterdam.
Robyn
hetismij - Please keep us posted with details of events planned for the day, as they become available. Our hotel is just a few blocks from Dam Square so I can imagine the area will be extra crowded/crazy. We're staying at the Nadia on the Raadhuisstraat, and have a covered balcony with a decent view of the Homomonument and the Keizersgracht. WOO HOO! We're excited.
BTW, thinking about planning a GTG. We'll be in Amsterdam for 3 days, 18-20 April, then back again for 4 days, 30 April-3 May. hetismij, I hope you will be available for a drink and lunch. Are there any other Fodorites travelling to Amsterdam during the same time we'll be there, we would welcome the opportunity to sit and talk about travel and Amsterdam.
Robyn
Feb 8th, 2013, 09:16 AM
#27
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Lucky you Robyn! I hope you have a good day on the 30th. I shan't be trekking in for it, but I should be around while you are over and would love to meet up again. I may even bring my newly retired DH with me 
.
Will you start a new thread and see if anyone else is around?
We can then decide on a date and a place and time.
.Will you start a new thread and see if anyone else is around?
We can then decide on a date and a place and time.
Feb 8th, 2013, 11:37 AM
#28
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"why do we have hereditary monarchies in the 21st century?"
Because they work. half the world's 20 highest ranking countries in the United Nations' Human Development Index are constitutional monarchies.>
Wow weird logic there and half of the other countries do not!
'the work' - rubbish - those countries would be just as well off sans any monarch - would France or Germany or Ireland be better off with a monarch - monarchs are so so passe and a symptom of a country sadly looking at past glories and not the modern world where every citizen should be born equal - not one born with the right to be king or queen and be head of state - instead of an elected head of state.
No so so primitive and medieval and just downright silly - heck what if Prince Harry became king - even more of a joke than Charles. Yup don't matter what kind of person it is they are God's choice says hetismij so that is it - well that is another incredibly primitive take on things.
I've always thought the Dutch were too too progressive and cereberal to have a monarch - the Brits I understood why - reliving past glories, pomp and circumstance, etc. all under the ruse that the monarchy 'works' - well most monarchs and royals have never worked a day in their lives save perhaps some often coddled military service.
Heads off to all monarchs or at least their removal from office and stripping all moneys and possessions gained thru merely being a monarch.
Because they work. half the world's 20 highest ranking countries in the United Nations' Human Development Index are constitutional monarchies.>
Wow weird logic there and half of the other countries do not!
'the work' - rubbish - those countries would be just as well off sans any monarch - would France or Germany or Ireland be better off with a monarch - monarchs are so so passe and a symptom of a country sadly looking at past glories and not the modern world where every citizen should be born equal - not one born with the right to be king or queen and be head of state - instead of an elected head of state.
No so so primitive and medieval and just downright silly - heck what if Prince Harry became king - even more of a joke than Charles. Yup don't matter what kind of person it is they are God's choice says hetismij so that is it - well that is another incredibly primitive take on things.
I've always thought the Dutch were too too progressive and cereberal to have a monarch - the Brits I understood why - reliving past glories, pomp and circumstance, etc. all under the ruse that the monarchy 'works' - well most monarchs and royals have never worked a day in their lives save perhaps some often coddled military service.
Heads off to all monarchs or at least their removal from office and stripping all moneys and possessions gained thru merely being a monarch.
Feb 8th, 2013, 12:48 PM
#29
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The British monarch believes she is there as Gods anointed monarch, which is why she will not abdicate, and is why she is crowned and anointed with holy oil at her coronation.
The Dutch monarch is not crowned and merely swears an oath.
The Dutch choose to have a monarch. The monarch is there at the behest of the people. Should the people change their minds the Netherlands will cease to be a monarchy. The Dutch like and admire their royal family, and they provide great stability, as do all other monarchies.
They often cost considerably less than an elected head of state too.
I can't see the point of a president such as they have in Germany, who does nothing politically - it is all left to the Chancellor. He might as well be a monarch except it costs a lot to elect a new one every now and then as well as pay for him and keep him once he retires.
I can't see the point of a president such as they have in the US either - a multi multi millionaire who spends other peoples millions to be elected, only to be frustrated at every turn by a house that is filled with the opposition, voted for by the very same people who voted him in! He spends maybe two years trying to undo what the previous incumbent succeeded or failed to do before he has to start defending his job or supporting his potential successor, and in actual fact gets very little done.
The Dutch monarch is not crowned and merely swears an oath.
The Dutch choose to have a monarch. The monarch is there at the behest of the people. Should the people change their minds the Netherlands will cease to be a monarchy. The Dutch like and admire their royal family, and they provide great stability, as do all other monarchies.
They often cost considerably less than an elected head of state too.
I can't see the point of a president such as they have in Germany, who does nothing politically - it is all left to the Chancellor. He might as well be a monarch except it costs a lot to elect a new one every now and then as well as pay for him and keep him once he retires.
I can't see the point of a president such as they have in the US either - a multi multi millionaire who spends other peoples millions to be elected, only to be frustrated at every turn by a house that is filled with the opposition, voted for by the very same people who voted him in! He spends maybe two years trying to undo what the previous incumbent succeeded or failed to do before he has to start defending his job or supporting his potential successor, and in actual fact gets very little done.
