Enthronement Ceremony of Dutch Monarchs

[Australian]

ahh ok thanks for that. I just noticed all the Dutch queens doing it in their coronation photos. Thanks

 

[juliana]

Grouppictures:

The Queen and her husband look lovely and regal but who on earth dressed the children? Even in those days the dresses and tacky white shoes without socks (at least the baby has socks) seem to be really cheap and tasteless IMO.

 

[Henri M.]

The Queen and her husband look lovely and regal but who on earth dressed the children? Even in those days the dresses and tacky white shoes without socks (at least the baby has socks) seem to be really cheap and tasteless IMO.

I'm not aware of the fashion, three years after the end of World War II.
It does look perfectly normal to me. I have see colour pictures and the four Princesses did look lovely. It were just girls: Beatrix was 10, Irene was 9, Margriet was 5 and Christina was 1.

Socks in open shoes are the worst nightmare, fashionwise. And 10, 9 and 5 year old ladies with pumps?

 

[juliana]

I'm not aware of the fashion, three years after the end of World War II.
It does look perfectly normal to me. I have see colour pictures and the four Princesses did look lovely. It were just girls: Beatrix was 10, Irene was 9, Margriet was 5 and Christina was 1.

Socks in open shoes are the worst nightmare, fashionwise. And 10, 9 and 5 year old ladies with pumps?

Here is a wonderful photo of the Belgium royal children and their shoes are the classic shoes that are worn now and were worn back in the 40s by all classy children up to the age of 10/11, Henri. The Dutch royal girls are not wearing proper shoes nor the appropriate hosiery and the older girls definitely needed better petticoats for their dresses. The baby is cute though- her shoes and dress are fine. Hosiery is the correct thing for smart outfits- no socks is for a hot and casual day as are the sandals worn by the girls and it has been like that for many of us and our parents for decades.
- for you too. Merci.
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/72858195.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19390335F8FA9CA92A67CA318876C138386591E7EC1A351FC8B

 

[fraxales]

Well, thanks to "pdas1201" for the info, GREAT pics, and to Marengo and Henry M. who seem to have been hoarding this information, waiting for someone to trigger a response. I've been curious about certain things for a long time but never found the time to ask questions and thankfully you've saved me the trouble.

I think the pic in post #17 shows a wonderful gala opportunity missed by those of us not born at the time, sadly!!

Also, I think people misunderstood the question posed in post #20 (or perhaps I did!); did "sirmax" not mean an age limit when the sovereign has no choice but to abdicate? I personally don't think there is one but I remember having seen on a TV series that a King Willem (presumably the first) decreed that when a sovereign feels he/she no longer is capable of carrying out his/her duties effectively (or whatever the correct word should be), then he/she should step down. I'm not sure of the finer details, nor what the Dutch constitution says, but it seems to tie in with Queen Juliana's words when she announced her intention to abdicate (see post #1). Perhaps our more knowledgeable Marengo or Henry M. might give us some further insight?

 

[Henri M.]

Charles V in 1555

I personally don't think there is one but I remember having seen on a TV series that a King Willem (presumably the first) decreed that when a sovereign feels he/she no longer is capable of carrying out his/her duties effectively (or whatever the correct word should be), then he/she should step down.

The practice of abdicating has an old example: In 1556, Charles V, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, King of Spain and Lord of the Netherlands abdicated in favour of his son Philips II. The abdication took place in the city of Ghent, in Flanders, one of the United Netherlands' provinces.

Queen Wilhelmina referred to this abdication when she made her own decision: Charles V, aged and tired, handed over the kingship into the hands of his son the Infante Felipe. She, aged and tired, after a Reing of 58 years which saw two world wars, abdicated in favour of her daughter Princess Juliana.

Queen Juliana most likely abdicated back then in 1980 when the first very small signs of mental illness came to the surface, but that is pure speculation. As known Queen Juliana has been in the twilight for a couple of years, and the last five years even completely disappeared out of view, being nursed 24/24 and 7/7. According to Prince Bernhard, Queen Juliana has lost all memory and did not recognize her own family anymore.


In the House of (Orange-) Nassau King Willem I, Grand Duchess Marie-Adelheid, Queen Wilhelmina, Grand Duchess Charlotte, Queen Juliana and Grand Duke Jean have followed this example. This is allowed by the Constitution, which states that it is up to the Sovereign, and to him only, to abdicate or not, and when.

 

[Warren]

In the House of (Orange-) Nassau King Willem I, Grand Duchess Marie-Adelheid, Queen Wilhelmina, Grand Duchess Charlotte, Queen Juliana and Grand Duke Jean have followed this example.

That's gilding the lily somewhat. Willem I abdicated in 1840 because he didn't like the new constitution which limited his perogative (which followed criticism of his conduct of the war against Belgium), and the hapless Grand Duchess Marie Adelaide was effectively deposed by the victorious Allies two months after the end of WWI. The French government refused to receive "the Ministers of the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg" and she had no course open to her but to abdicate, which she did in January 1919, becoming another casualty of the Great War.

 

[Marengo]

It is said that the reason of King Willem I's abdication was his wish to marry the a catholic and belgian countess (Henriette d'Oultreont de Wegimont). The marriage was rather sensitive to the protestant elite, that the Southern Netherlands just split up a few years before didn't help either.
-
Re pi 17: It seems this gala was in the concert building. But I remember a picture of the bejewelled royals, posing at the stairs of the Amstel hotel. I don't know why they posed there. Did they stay there or was there a ball hosted? Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians wasn't in that grouppicture btw. It is rather curious that she was there as it is usually said that monarchs and other heads of state do not attend enthronements. I believe Queen Mary was the first one who did so in the UK for example.

 

[Marengo]

Here a clip of Juliana´s enthronement. ´Wie ben ik dat ik dit doen mag´ (Who am I that I may do this).

 

[Philippe Egalite']

The crown symbolizes the sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the dignity of its head of state. As the ascession ceremony is not a coronation but an investiture, the crown is never placed on the monarch's head. The orb represents the territory over which the monarch rules, namely the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. The sceptre and the sword stand for sovereign's authority and power respectively. The regalia was made in 1840 by craftmen commissioned by William II.

Αmong the guests during queen Beatrix's investiture I could only recognize Albert and Paola de Liege, Prince Charles, Crown Prince Harald with his consort, all in row 4 I believe. Does anyone recognize more personages among the guests? Also who is the older lady sitting to the Queen Juliana's right?

 

[Marengo]

The older lady next to Queen Juliana is Gosta von Amstberg, baroness von dem Bussche Haddenhausen, the mother of Prince Claus.

Here a grouppicture taken in the evening when they held a ball to celebrate the enthronement. The guests had changed clothes but you will be able to identify many more. The picture was originally posted at the Benelux RMB by John in Assen.

 

[lucien]

I remember the,then,Heriditary Grand Duke Henri and the,then,Crown Prince Mohammed of Morocco,Princesses Sirindhorn and Chulalabkorn of Thailand,then Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan and Princess Sarvath,Prince Hans-Adam of Liechtenstein being in attendance as well.

After posing for the picture you posted Marengo,all were moved to the IJ river,where they were taken by canal boats of "Rederij Kooistra" to the passengership "Prinses Beatrix",it was there the Ball was held,floating down the Northsea Canal to the Northsea.


First row,fltr:
Prince of Orange,Prince Constantijn,Prince Friso,Prince Carlos,Prince Bernhard and Prince Maurits.

Princess Pilar,Heriditary Grand Duke Henri,Princess Sirindhorn,Crown Prince Mohammed,Princess Sonja,Prince Albert,HM and Prince Claus,Princess Paola,Prince Charles,Princess Chulabhorn,Prince Harald,Princess Benedikte and Prince Richard.

Mr.Smith (husband of Renée Roëll,childhood friend of HM),Princess Christina and Jorge Guillermo,forgot,forgot,Princess Juliana,Prince Bernhard,Gosta von Amsberg,Prince and Princess Takimado of Japan,Tord and Christina Magnussen,néé Princess Christina of Sweden.

Renéé Roëll,Prince Carlos Hugo and Princess Irene,Sigrid (sister of Prince Claus) and her husband,Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven,Christina von Amsberg,Prince Aschwin (brother of Prince Bernhard) and Princess Simone,the gentleman next to Simone
is her son from a previous marriage but I forgot his name,sorry.

 

[Stefan]

How would they organice things if Queen beatrix would die unexpected (like King Baoudouin I.). Would Willem-Alexander first take the oath somewhere in The Hague and the would have the Inauguration Ceremony later in Amsterdam ?? I donÄt think the could organize the Inaguration Ceremony in Amsterdam in a short periode of time.

 

[Milenka]

Lovely pictures! (and some of them, unknown for me).
Queen Juliana is still so near... & so loved!
High Honour to her memory.

 

[PR Princess]

Its interesting to see the difference between the coronation of Queen Beatrix and Queen Elizabeth II.

 

[adelaide]

I remember the,then,Heriditary Grand Duke Henri and the,then,Crown Prince Mohammed of Morocco,Princesses Sirindhorn and Chulalabkorn of Thailand,then Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan and Princess Sarvath,Prince Hans-Adam of Liechtenstein being in attendance as well.

After posing for the picture you posted Marengo,all were moved to the IJ river,where they were taken by canal boats of "Rederij Kooistra" to the passengership "Prinses Beatrix",it was there the Ball was held,floating down the Northsea Canal to the Northsea.


First row,fltr:
Prince of Orange,Prince Constantijn,Prince Friso,Prince Carlos,Prince Bernhard and Prince Maurits.

Princess Pilar,Heriditary Grand Duke Henri,Princess Sirindhorn,Crown Prince Mohammed,Princess Sonja,Prince Albert,HM and Prince Claus,Princess Paola,Prince Charles,Princess Chulabhorn,Prince Harald,Princess Benedikte and Prince Richard.

Mr.Smith (husband of Renée Roëll,childhood friend of HM),Princess Christina and Jorge Guillermo,forgot,forgot,Princess Juliana,Prince Bernhard,Gosta von Amsberg,Prince and Princess Takimado of Japan,Tord and Christina Magnussen,néé Princess Christina of Sweden.

Renéé Roëll,Prince Carlos Hugo and Princess Irene,Sigrid (sister of Prince Claus) and her husband,Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven,Christina von Amsberg,Prince Aschwin (brother of Prince Bernhard) and Princess Simone,the gentleman next to Simone
is her son from a previous marriage but I forgot his name,sorry.

^

Hi, I'm not at all a specialist of Dutch Royal Family, but I beleive that at the begining of the third row, it's not Mr Smith but it's the husband of the Infanta Pilar, Luis Gomez Acebo, ViceCount Della Toore, Duke of Badajoz.

 

[Jacknch]

How would they organice things if Queen beatrix would die unexpected (like King Baoudouin I.). Would Willem-Alexander first take the oath somewhere in The Hague and the would have the Inauguration Ceremony later in Amsterdam ?? I donÄt think the could organize the Inaguration Ceremony in Amsterdam in a short periode of time.

This is a very interesting question because the situation would be slightly different to the long established procedure of the act of abdication, balcony appearance to introduce the new monarch to the people and then the inauguration ceremony several days later. I would imagine that there would be some kind of proclaimation that WA is now the king - this could be done with or without a balcony appearance. The funeral of Beatrix would, I should think have to take place first in Delft after several days of mourning followed a few days later by the inauguration in Amsterdam. If the Dutch are anything like the British I shoudl imagine they will organise all this very well and efficiently within a few days.

 

[Pier Gerlofs Donia]

One thing I've been searching for recently, William III of the Netherlands. I wonder: are there some more photographs of William III of the Netherlands? can someone link them? And does anyone have a link to the video of Wilhelmina's coronation? It was captured on film in 1898, I Believe.

 

[maria-olivia]

Thanks for the great pics of Juliana's Coronation.

 

[maria-olivia]

On the official picture with the others Royal Families , I noticed :
1st row Prince George of Grece, xx (his wife Marie?) Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians,
Princess Margaret of Great Britain ,Prince x ,Queen Louise of Sweden , Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg
2nd row Prince Axel of Danemark, Princess x, Crown Prince Olav of Norway. Crown Princess Martha of Norway,King of Sweden, Princess x.
Could someona find the names of Princes and Pricesses xx ?
Queen Wilhemine is not on this picture ?

 

[Marengo]

The lady between prince George of Greece and Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians is Princess Armgard of Lippe-Biesterfeld, the mother of prince Bernhard. The man next to princess Margaret is the Earl of Athlone, brother of Queen Mary. The lady between Axel and Olav is the Countess of Athlone, born as Princess Alice of the UK (Albany). The lady next to the crownprince of Sweden is princess Margaretha of Denmark, born princess of Sweden.

Queen Wilhelmina considered that she was 'dead' after she abdicated and that she had no business at state events anymore. She was rather drastic in this and even threw her bodyguard out of the car on the middle of the highway, as she didn't need him anymore.

 

[lucien]

Its interesting to see the difference between the coronation of Queen Beatrix and Queen Elizabeth II.

The very difference alone that you speak of two things,a Coronation like in the UK,and an Inthronisation as we have here.

In the UK the Monarch is actually crowned,here the Regalia are laid out on the Credenstable in front of the Monarch,but remain untouched.
We do not have a Coronation,but a solemn swearing in for the General Assemblee of the States-General at the New Church,Amsterdam as
it is written in The Constitution that it is there the Ceremony must take place..

 

[Marengo]

How would they organice things if Queen beatrix would die unexpected (like King Baoudouin I.). Would Willem-Alexander first take the oath somewhere in The Hague and the would have the Inauguration Ceremony later in Amsterdam ?? I donÄt think the could organize the Inaguration Ceremony in Amsterdam in a short periode of time.

A rather late reply, but the last time this happened was when Queen Wilhelmina was enthroned. I don't recall reading anything about an oath, just the enthronement ceremony itself after a period of mourning (or in Wilhelmina's case, until she was 18. I don't recall that king Willem III made an oath in The Hague or anywhere else either, just the enthronement in Amsterdam. This is one of the very few things that Queen Sophie writes positively about in her letters to Lady Malet.

 

[maria-olivia]

Thanks Marengo , and the young man on the left side of Prince Axel of D

 

[Marengo]

Ah, that is prince Aschwin of Lippe-Biesterfeld, the younger brother of prince Bernhard

 

[Stefan]

A rather late reply, but the last time this happened was when Queen Wilhelmina was enthroned. I don't recall reading anything about an oath, just the enthronement ceremony itself after a period of mourning (or in Wilhelmina's case, until she was 18. I don't recall that king Willem III made an oath in The Hague or anywhere else either, just the enthronement in Amsterdam. This is one of the very few things that Queen Sophie writes positively about in her letters to Lady Malet.

Do we know how long the time was between the death of King Willem II. and until King Willem III. took the oath. I think i read somewhere that in Wilhelmina's case Queen Emma took the oath as Regent but i believe it was when King Willem III. was still alive as she was first Regent for him for a short time just before his death.

 

[Marengo]

I have no clue what time it took, though Queen Sophie writes about the enthronement in her letters to Lady Mallet (in a positive way, for a change).

--
From the NOS, preparations:

NOS - Koningshuis - Video - Voorbereidingen festiviteiten rond inhuldiging Juliana


a clip of 1948's enthronement activities:

NOS - Koningshuis - Video - Balkonscene en rijtoer door Amsterdam, inhuldiging van Juliana in de Nieuwe Kerk

Speech in the Nieuwe Kerk:

NOS - Koningshuis - Video - De toespraak van koningin Juliana in de Nieuwe Kerk

Reactions (1973):

NOS - Koningshuis - Video - Reacties op inhuldiging Juliana

Also celebrated in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia):

NOS - Koningshuis - Video - Indonesië viert de inhuldiging van koningin Juliana

 

[Marengo]

Queen Juliana's speech:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdmInbDX2BA

 

[Marengo]

Dorine Hermans is writing a book on the enthronement ceremonies of King Willem I, Willem II, Willem III and Queen Wilhelmina, Juliana and Beatrix. The book will be available in the shops in 2011. The titlewill be: ' wie ben ik dat ik dit doen mag' (who am I, that I am allowed to do this), which is a remark made by Queen Juliana during her enthronement speech.

 

[Marengo]

A clip of the enthronement and the festivities around it, of Queen Wilhelmina. The voice over keeps referring to HRH Princess Wilhelmina, while she was infact already Queen for 8 years when the enthronement ceremony happened. On the background a variation on 'Wien Neerlands Bloed', which was often used as anthem (until in the 20-ties the Wilhelmus officially became the national anthem.

YouTube - Inhuldiging Koningin Wilhelmina