Analysis of Máxima

[Villemann]

Pink or not

Yes. You are right. She ressembles a little to her...

But I was amazed when seeing the pic in which she appears with his husband and the Queen en Italy. What a pinky stuff! Look at the Queen and the Princess outfits...Scandalously PINK! And also Prince Willem's Alexander's tie...

My...I've never liked pink in the clothes. People dressed in pink looks as if he/she was a big meringue-cake...Do you know, these meringues couloured with some pink in it...

Vanesa.

Pink or not, I still envy the Dutch their Crown Princess. Maxima seems so real! Our Crown Princess Mary could learn a thing or two from Maxima!

 

[sneeuwklokje]

Pink or not, I still envy the Dutch their Crown Princess. Maxima seems so real! Our Crown Princess Mary could learn a thing or two from Maxima!

Well eh, Trine, you might think twice about that. It's not all moonshine and roses with Maxima either. There were reports of her hitting a nanny and having huuuuge mood swings (and not only during pregnancy). Now everybody in this topice will probably all fall over me, but she is not perfect either. Our national "we will decide what will be made public" institution the RVD does sweep a whole lot under the carpet.

 

[lucien]

Well eh, Trine, you might think twice about that. It's not all moonshine and roses with Maxima either. There were reports of her hitting a nanny and having huuuuge mood swings (and not only during pregnancy). Now everybody in this topice will probably all fall over me, but she is not perfect either. Our national "we will decide what will be made public" institution the RVD does sweep a whole lot under the carpet.

No no,I won't fall over you,just chase,as what you state is full of hullabaloo,and you should know it.

One.She never hit a nanny.People in her position are game to idiots.
Second.Our national "we decide what we will be made public" doesn't sweep much under the carpet as you claim.Claim?Based on what?Exactly,nothing at all.You'll be the very last to know.

Just to make things clear,dear.

 

[sneeuwklokje]

No no,I won't fall over you,just chase,as what you state is full of hullabaloo,and you should know it.

One.She never hit a nanny.People in her position are game to idiots.
Second.Our national "we decide what we will be made public" doesn't sweep much under the carpet as you claim.Claim?Based on what?Exactly,nothing at all.You'll be the very last to know.

Just to make things clear,dear.

Well dear, to make things clear, where do you get your information that it is NOT true?? I admit I have read it and have heard about it on certain tv-shows that you probably do not watch. And what about their endless holidaying?? That's just a claim either?? Sofar this year: Christmas 2007 Argentina, birthday Daddy Z. Argentina, skiing in Lech, holiday with Infanta Christina in May, now off to Italy. And it's only July for Pete's sake!! And that in times where many Dutch can hardly make ends meet!!

 

[lucien]

Well dear, to make things clear, where do you get your information that it is NOT true?? I admit I have read it and have heard about it on certain tv-shows that you probably do not watch. And what about their endless holidaying?? That's just a claim either?? Sofar this year: Christmas 2007 Argentina, birthday Daddy Z. Argentina, skiing in Lech, holiday with Infanta Christina in May, now off to Italy. And it's only July for Pete's sake!! And that in times where many Dutch can hardly make ends meet!!

Oops,you forgot one,off to China within a few days...

You will have to take my word for it dear,I´m afraid,As you might know,I don´t tell nonsense as I´m allergic to that,
it gives me a rash of sorts...

I can´t help the minority of dutch that find themselves unable to go holidaying for one reason or another,contra the
7.5 million dutch that flew out abroad or at home these past weeks ofcourse.... ..and as we are far far far from
a `give them cake` situation,I don´t have much with that non/issue either.

A little weekend holiday during Pentacost?Did that rob you of your patatoes that day,or bowl of rice if you prefer?See.Nor here.I go on as many holidays as I can,like most dutch I´m off at least three times a year,excluding trips within our own beautifull country that is as those exceed three times a year by far.Am I bad boy now?
Love that!

 

[Villemann]

Human princess

Well eh, Trine, you might think twice about that. It's not all moonshine and roses with Maxima either. There were reports of her hitting a nanny and having huuuuge mood swings (and not only during pregnancy). Now everybody in this topice will probably all fall over me, but she is not perfect either. Our national "we will decide what will be made public" institution the RVD does sweep a whole lot under the carpet.

All the palaces put out spin. I know, because I used to be the recipeint of all of this spin!What I like about Maxima - and I am sure she has her flaws too, nanny-incident or not - is ,that she appears very approachable and lively in public. Maybe it is just a good act, what do I know, but she does not seem to be so perfect all the time! She walks and talks like a human not a princess. Good for her!

 

[Marengo]

The nanny incident was completely bogus. It was invented by Mr. Evert Santegoeds of gossip magazine 'Prive'; he is known for his vindictive attitude to the RF. The RF dragged his to court succesfully several times. In the case of the nanny slapping they did the same, Prive was sued and had to place a correction & pay a fine (which was donated to charity). They also claimd that Maxima and WA had several nannies a the time, which was untrue too (not sure how many they have now).

About the travelling: this has been a source of critisism in the past indeed. Sometimes correct, other times not (IMO that is). As far as I care they can do with their free time what they want, if they want to go abroad each weekend they should do so, as long as their 'job' doesn't suffer from it. But 4 travels to Argentina in 6 months seem a bit excessive indeed, albeit many times the princess had a good reason. Still, the dutch public is sensitive to these things and IMO it would have been better if there would have been less travelling. Even a working trip of Maxima to Argentina will easily be labelled a 'private trip under the excuse of work'. Not very fair IMO, but something that is only to be expected. Anyway, Maxima says the family won't travel to Argentina any time soon; Amalia will be obliged to attend school after summer and the little princesses are frightened by the Argentinian press.

Maxima indeed has flaws but I think she is the chicken with the golden eggs for the RF. She is the most popular person in the country and no scandal/incident seem to cast a shadow over that. She seems to have stayed the same person after her marriage, continuing in fields of interest that she already was working in or aquinted with. And the involvement seems to be about quality and not quantity, which is also nice and effective.

 

[sneeuwklokje]

Oops,you forgot one,off to China within a few days...

You will have to take my word for it dear,I´m afraid,As you might know,I don´t tell nonsense as I´m allergic to that,
it gives me a rash of sorts...

I can´t help the minority of dutch that find themselves unable to go holidaying for one reason or another,contra the
7.5 million dutch that flew out abroad or at home these past weeks ofcourse.... ..and as we are far far far from
a `give them cake` situation,I don´t have much with that non/issue either.

A little weekend holiday during Pentacost?Did that rob you of your patatoes that day,or bowl of rice if you prefer?See.Nor here.I go on as many holidays as I can,like most dutch I´m off at least three times a year,excluding trips within our own beautifull country that is as those exceed three times a year by far.Am I bad boy now?
Love that!

7.5 Million Dutch flew out in a few weeks?? That must have left the country empty and it clearly didn't. You cannot compare the package holidays of most of us "lesser mortals" to Maxima and WA's luxury travels. I still think they are overdoing it. It certainly does not rob me of my bowl of potatoes, rice or pasta (maybe Sonja Bakker does..), but it's a fact that these are hard times for many Dutch. The Royals don't seem to care a lot for that these days (if they have ever done so).

 

[Marengo]

Well, the Queen is at her farm in Italy at the moment. Though it is more than most people can afford it is by no means luxurious. WA, Maxima and family are camping out there too for a while. As for what they do for the rest of their holidays, we have no clue. Still nobody expects them to spend it in a tent or caravan on the Veluwe. As long as they are not spotted at big yachts and St. Tropez places I don't think many mind actually.

How should the royals show that they care for people who can not afford to go on holidays? Stay in The Hague all summer? That would be useless symbolism IMHO.

 

[Empress]

Just as an FYI, all Dutch people recieve 5 weeks of paid vacation per year. How they spend it is their business. Apart from that, there are also approximately 15 federally mandated holidays, so in essence there are 8 work weeks of holiday that are paid. If one plans appropriately it can look like you are taking all this time off, when in fact you are taken the allotment that is given by the government for holidays.

On top of that many dutch also receive a "13th month" of salary as "vakantie geld" or vacation money, and it is written into the law as well as far as I understand.. My husband always received it when we lived in NL, much to the dismay of some of his foreign employers!

I don't think that their vacations are excessive or ridiculous. They are within their means, and they are a bi-cultural family which means that they will need to go visit her family sometimes. In some years more than others.

And if I am not mistaken, the trip to China is at least in part official. So I don't think that could be called vacation.

Also, I think that it is a bit rich that anyone says that the Royals don't care. They clearly do, even if they do in ways that aren't always apparent.

On another note, the royals live a life that we can not fully understand. They are constantly in the lime light, they do not have a nine to five job, and they live a very public life, as some on this board are quick to point out often. So in that case, if we can't expect them to live like normal people when we want something from them, why should we then apply the standards of "normalcy" to any aspect of their lives including vacations. It's one or the other, but you can't have both.

 

[lucien]

True Empress,the first week,next week,will be one with the Official Meeting of the IOC at Beijing.

It is the "13th month" end of december as well as the vakantiegeld end of may,which is substantial too,add to that the refunds too by the dutch taxes office/finance ministry mid june and you' recall why most smile into the summer....

Great place to live,nothing to nag about really....

 

[Empress]

And if they are already in China on business why should they not take the time to explore and have a bit of vacation? My husband and I certainly do it when one of us is on vacation and all of the travel is already paid for. Why should we pay for flights again and pollute the environment more when we're already there. I think that it's quite sensible if you ask me.

However if I am correct, not all receive both the vakantie geld and the 13th month. Some receive one or the other correct?

 

[lucien]

All and everyone gets vakantiegeld which useally is about 8% of your annual income,all includes those on social security and the elderly who get what we call AOW,funds from the State they,we all,are entitled to from the age of 65 when most retire.Apart from that most,if not all,have worked long enough to get a pension,(partly payed for by your employer) as well,adding up to that AOW.

The 13th month is in all branches it might just be called different,like tantieme/bonus.

There's also a minimum wages/salary,by law,for all branches allthough it might differ from branch to branch,these minimum wages are negotiated again annually or every other year.And to top it off,it is impossible,by law,to just sack someone on the spot then and there unless he/she committed a severe crime.There is a law that says that at least one month notice,some cases two,have be observed,and often a 6 month or more pay comes along then,depending on the number of years you were employed.

And as for sick leave,you're,by law,entitled to your full 100% salary the first year...(in case of severe trouble),and 70% from the second year,only after that your employer can sack you.All dutch,all,by law,have a health insurance,partly payed for by your employer and the State,part by yourself,so in case of emergency/nescessity you can always go see your GP and/or specialist.
Nothing to really nag about imho...

 

[Empress]

Oh I agree, nothing to nag about. We'd go back in a heartbeat if my husband could find a job that he likes. In any case, that's the plan sooner or later. The US stinks when it comes to workers rights, vacation time, paid time off, maternity leave, etc and everything.

 

[lucien]

Oh I agree, nothing to nag about. We'd go back in a heartbeat if my husband could find a job that he likes. In any case, that's the plan sooner or later. The US stinks when it comes to workers rights, vacation time, paid time off, maternity leave, etc and everything.

Maternity leave,here the man have their equivalent of 8 weeks leave just to change nappies/and other quality times with their newborn if they wish,payed et all,how's that for a reason to catch the next flight...

 

[Empress]

Oh my dear, the men in this country get nothing, and the women are only entitled by law to 12 weeks total of UNPAID leave.

So having said that, I would encourage anyone in the Netherlands, royal family included, to take advantage of every single benefit that the government provides. I still see no problem at all with the amount of vacations that they are taking. Just like any other Dutch family, however they have more money to spend.

 

[lucien]

Oh my dear, the men in this country get nothing, and the women are only entitled by law to 12 weeks total of UNPAID leave.

So having said that, I would encourage anyone in the Netherlands, royal family included, to take advantage of every single benefit that the government provides. I still see no problem at all with the amount of vacations that they are taking. Just like any other Dutch family, however they have more money to spend.

Oh,the odd buck more,indeed,let them.For living in a glasshouse 24/7 year in year out,they most certainly are entitled to every day they can spend as they wish.It's just we are still very much of a calvinist country here so one quickly finds him-herself in a position others envy or find a "bit much".

Still,everyone here can go on a holiday,those in need get special aid provided by the authorities as well,might not get you to Barbados but find you in the beautifull countryside or a beach in Spain still.

We sometimes forget how lucky we are I think,and that includes the "object of our affection",our RF.

 

[sunsh1n3]

All and everyone gets vakantiegeld which useally is about 8% of your annual income,all includes those on social security and the elderly who get what we call AOW,funds from the State they,we all,are entitled to from the age of 65 when most retire.Apart from that most,if not all,have worked long enough to get a pension,(partly payed for by your employer) as well,adding up to that AOW.

The 13th month is in all branches it might just be called different,like tantieme/bonus.

There's also a minimum wages/salary,by law,for all branches allthough it might differ from branch to branch,these minimum wages are negotiated again annually or every other year.And to top it off,it is impossible,by law,to just sack someone on the spot then and there unless he/she committed a severe crime.There is a law that says that at least one month notice,some cases two,have be observed,and often a 6 month or more pay comes along then,depending on the number of years you were employed.

And as for sick leave,you're,by law,entitled to your full 100% salary the first year...(in case of severe trouble),and 70% from the second year,only after that your employer can sack you.All dutch,all,by law,have a health insurance,partly payed for by your employer and the State,part by yourself,so in case of emergency/nescessity you can always go see your GP and/or specialist.
Nothing to really nag about imho...

I am thinking I want to move...

 

[sneeuwklokje]

Well, hold your horses for a while before you move to Holland. Lucien is giving us a very rosy outlook on our country. The reality is a tad different.
A 13th month? Yes, some companies do pay their employees one, just as many others don't. Vakantiegeld (=holiday money) sounds very nice, it does however get taxed at a higher rate than your usual salary, so you end up with say 50% of the original amount. Minimum wages in Holland may look rather high, but there isn't much you can do with your 1100-1200 euro's a month in this country. Men having 8 weeks leave for nappy changing?? They are talking about that, that's true, but it isn't there yet.
Tax refunds? Yes, if you have a house of yourself and don't have to rent one. Travel expense refund: yes, a "whopping"19 eurocents a kilometer if you're lucky. Petrolprices: skyhigh (really, 1.60 euro a liter). 15 mandated extra days of holiday? Never heard of that, or you must mean ATV (shortining of working hours, whilst still getting paid). Again, a lot of companies don't have them. Child support money: comparing to other countries really really peanuts (and I have lived abroad so I know). Free healthcare? No way. You are obliged to pay at least 80 euro's a month for a rather limited insurance (almost no dental care, etc.). When you are on minimum wages you can get a 34 euro a month refund for that. So Lucien dear, I don't know where you live or what your profession is (you aren't by any chance some royal aren't you), but this is the truth about our otherwise rather nice little country.

 

[Marengo]

Thanks for the reality check, sneeuwklokje. Indeed it isn't all roses over here. Anyway, I think it is time to leave the 13th month, holiday days etc. for what they are and focus on the topic of this thread: Princess Máxima.

 

[rubies]

This topic is funny to me, As an amateur on "royal-ness" I think the Dutch RF are conservative on their lifestyle. I wouldn't expect them to not go on a nice vacation for a couple weeks in the summer with the family. And who cares how many times she goes to Argentina, its where her parents are, and they are older, at least the father is. No, normal people dont get to go on that many trips, but I dont have a camera up my gazooo everytime I go anywhere. I certainly dont feel sorry for them, but they are entitled to have a quiet vacation.

 

[LaPetite]

I love to see the latest picture of Princess Maxima. Because you never expect what she might wear. Recently, I checked out her photos taken in Olympics Games in Beijing. It seems to me that she didn't bother to put on make-up. She wore something very casual but in bright colors as she always prefers, in my opinion. But on some formal occasions such as Prince Friso's wedding, Prinsjesdag, state banquets, etc. she looks great and even regal. Perhaps her wardrobe reflects her spontaneous personality?

 

[Patra]

CPrincess Maxima is my favorite royal....I probably would have never taken the time to learn about the Dutch Royal Family, Queen Bea, Prince W-A, and the other members of the Family had it not been for her.

To me, Maxima represents a smart, savvy, fashionable, progressive woman in a leadership role. If you look at her current events, she is working very hard for her country and the world (UN).

Additionally, she is a fantastic partner in marriage (I think ab she & P W-A dancing in New York), and an engaged mother of 3 (pictures on the beach). The key trait to Maxima is her human genuineness- be it fits of laughter, or suffering from the flu at an engagement, we get to see ALL aspects of her character.

I love that about P Maxima. The Royal World is a better place because she is in it!