Prince Friso in Critical Condition Following Skiing Accident: February 17, 2012

[COUNTESS]

I think he went to London, because that is where he and his family live. His children go to school there and that is where his home is. I don't know if there is, really, any hope, but I, believe, that they felt this was the best for the children to be at home and at school, with familiar surroundings. Dear Lucien is far more apprised of the situation, than any of we and so I take his posts very seriously. The pictures are heart rending, and you are correct, they are just a mother and wife, in great pain. I wish them all peace.

 

[Zonk]

I beileve you are are right Countess! The reputation and the work of the clinic notwithstanding, a London Clinic allows the girls to have some sort of normalcy or rather, their NEW normal. They can continue to attend school with the friends and teachers who know them and provide some support. This will allow Mabel to tend to Friso and deal with the doctors, etc while she knows the girls are with people who care for them. As opposed to uprooting them to another school/area or not being with them while she handles the Friso situation.

And by tending/dealing with the Friso situation, I mean sitting with Friso and/or meeting with his doctors, therapist, specialisits, etc. She and poor Beatrix must have a lot on their minds.

 

[Hendrik-Jan77]

Seeing those pictures of the Queen and Princess Mabel leaving the Wellington Hospital are just heartbreaking.
They also don't give much hope; their expressions and the way they keep dressing in black give me a sombre feeling.
They look like they just left a wake... I can't shake the feeling that we will have another royal funeral quite soon...
My heart goes out to them!

 

[scooter]

Well Friso's doctors have said that he had massive brain damage and may not ever wake from his coma. His brain suffered hypoxia for close to one hour. Not much brain function is going to be left after that. I think the family is mentally preparing for the end.

 

[kalnel]

I thought Beatrix actually looked a bit more rested today, although still very somber, of course. My admiration for her grows each day. She has been so dignified through all this, but has open in showing her affection for her family.

Same with Mabel. I had a sort of negative impression of her because of the controversy around at the time of her marriage, but she is clearly a very poised, elegant person. Well done.

 

[sjetajiem]

Well Friso's doctors have said that he had massive brain damage and may not ever wake from his coma. His brain suffered hypoxia for close to one hour. Not much brain function is going to be left after that. I think the family is mentally preparing for the end.

Hypoxia for close to one hour means that the brain stem must be damaged too.
Could mean that the patient will never breath on his own and will not be able to keep his temperature.

 

[Marengo]

I think he went to London, because that is where he and his family live. His children go to school there and that is where his home is. I don't know if there is, really, any hope, but I, believe, that they felt this was the best for the children to be at home and at school, with familiar surroundings. Dear Lucien is far more apprised of the situation, than any of we and so I take his posts very seriously. The pictures are heart rending, and you are correct, they are just a mother and wife, in great pain. I wish them all peace.

From what I saw on tv about it, another reason may be that there simply isn't such a clinic in the country. The doctor interviewed said that there was only one clinic, but mainly with younger patients.

 

[lucien]

Queen and Princess Mabel in hospital - News Summary ROYALBLOG.NL


Courtesy HJA

I really admire the respect shown by the Dutch press towards the request
by the Royal Family.I wish all would respect their wish for the time being,but alas....seeing dailife pics here isn't about respect,nor news,it's about vultures
making a fast buck.WE are not into that sort of thing in The Netherlands.

 

[rominet09]

Nice to see that respect !

 

[grevinnan]

Queen and Princess Mabel in hospital - News Summary ROYALBLOG.NL


Courtesy HJA

I really admire the respect shown by the Dutch press towards the request
by the Royal Family.I wish all would respect their wish for the time being,but alas....seeing dailife pics here isn't about respect,nor news,it's about vultures
making a fast buck.WE are not into that sort of thing in The Netherlands.

But why is not the same respect shown on this board?

 

[MissJanet]

But why is not the same respect shown on this board?

I can't see how a discussion on this message board can be respectless and would really appreciate to read or post here without being attacked as respectless.

I come here because I'm worried about Friso and his family and here is a place to discuss news and personal feelings in this tragedy. This is about compassion, not about intruding the space of the DRF in this terrible time.

 

[Hendrik-Jan77]

I can't see how a discussion on this message board can be respectless and would really appreciate to read or post here without being attacked as respectless.

I come here because I'm worried about Friso and his family and here is a place to discuss news and personal feelings in this tragedy. This is about compassion, not about intruding the space of the DRF in this terrible time.

Maybe Grevinnan is referring to the pictures from Daylife posted by a member of this board (post 956)?

 

[MsPam]

The fine print under that article said that the picture they used was an old one, from Innsbruck. I'm new at this, and possibly confused, but I assumed that was showing respect.

I have developed an "attachment", so to speak, for the family of Prince Friso; I come here to silently wish them well. I mean no disrespect by coming here.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

I posted those pictures, and I dont think its respectless to do so. As before, the family chose to be out in public, I am sure there would be ways to get into the building without being seen. There are no children in these pictures. The pictures were taking openly and not in long-lense paparazzi style.

I reckon that Friso's case is exceptionally tragic because of his age & circumstances and that the Dutch members are really emotional about it, but there are other topics on this board covering tragic events where pictures are posted and distressed or mourning relatives are shown.

I remeber we already had the same discussion when Letizia's sister committed suicide and with heartbreaking pictures coming up before the funeral. But again, this was IN PUBLIC, like the Dutch Royals show themselves IN PUBLIC, its a choice, it could have been/be IN PRIVATE, if wanted. I guess the royals are professional enough to recognize that there is public interest in everything they do, good or bad, and in these cases many people are not only sensationalists but also show compassion on the basis of these pictures.

 

[grevinnan]

I can't see how a discussion on this message board can be respectless and would really appreciate to read or post here without being attacked as respectless.

I come here because I'm worried about Friso and his family and here is a place to discuss news and personal feelings in this tragedy. This is about compassion, not about intruding the space of the DRF in this terrible time.

Look at your post in which you talked about "vultures". Your post included a link to photos such "vultures" publish.

 

[MissJanet]

Look at your post in which you talked about "vultures". Your post included a link to photos such "vultures" publish.

I have no idea what "vultures" means (not a native speaker) and I don't know how to post links. You mean someone else.

 

[Stefanie]

I wonder why Beatrix and Mabel always appear in those mourning-black dresses any time they visit Friso "officially". I mean he his not yet dead but Mabel to me already appears like a widow...

Wonder secondly how long Friso´s little daughters will stay interested in that body who probably will never again show any reactions. Mabel might want them to visit him regularly but IMO in a foreseeable time it will only become a (troublesome) duty because they are IMO relatively young maybe even too young to feel an urge to go on visiting him for month or even years....

 

[MissJanet]

Maybe Grevinnan is referring to the pictures from Daylife posted by a member of this board (post 956)?

Maybe, I don't klick on the links, personally I don't want to be part of the paparazzi business in this case.

I don't mind photos taken in public, otherwise.

 

[jenc]

My thoughts and prayers remain with HM, Mabel, Luana and Zaria, and the whole family during this excruciating time. I'm sure that they will make all continuing decisions about Prince Friso's care with the best medical advice and in keeping with their own and Friso's beliefs.

Having said- and sincerely meant- that, one of the roles of royalty is to serve as an example and reflection of a society's values. As medical ethics continue to evolve, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand why anyone should be left to languish in a nonresponsive state when their body has become a prison and their personality has been forever extinguished. If there truly is no hope, I hope that the DRF will find the strength to end extraordinary measures to keep Friso mechanically alive, and that others in the same dreadful situation will draw strength from their example. (I'm not talking about active euthanasia- there is a distinct difference.)

These are highly charged and emotional issues, so it is also my prayer that those who disagree with whatever decisions are taken will continue to treat the family with compassion and understanding.

 

[Norita]

I just want to wish, Queen Beatriz , Princess Mabel and Her Daughters. Peace of God and strength , at this very difficult time , and Pray that Prince Friso is Protected By The Hand of God.
God Bless the Dutch Family
Norita

 

[Kataryn]

There are no children in these pictures.

Unfortunately there is a little blond girl in two of the pictures - I believe little Luana? I looked up the hospital and it has no private entrance or underground car park, so...

I guess the royals are professional enough to recognize that there is public interest in everything they do, good or bad, and in these cases many people are not only sensationalists but also show compassion on the basis of these pictures.

You are right, here. OTOH the pictures gave interesting information as well. The queen and Mabel entered the hospital South. On the hospital's website one can see that the neurological rehabilitation unit is in the North wing, containing of 3 floors and the Intensive Care unit North on second floor, while in the South wing there is only a Intensive care unit and this one is on the Lower Ground floor next to OP theatres and one floor above the neurophysiology where the do mostly testing, not yet rehab....

A friend with knowledge of hospital planning and management said that IHHO this second Intensive Care unit is for worse cases than the other, as this is indicated by the closeness for emergency Ops. Plus the lower ground floor is in a lot of hospitals (eg Munich university hospital Großhadern) reserved for long term or private patients whose relatives should be able to enjoy the outlook into the garden.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

Unfortunately there is a little blond girl in two of the pictures - I believe little Luana? I looked up the hospital and it has no private entrance or underground car park, so...

Your are right, the link has updated itself. When I posted it, those pictures werent there (only from March 2nd), there are from yesterday (March 3rd).

While I dont mind the adults being photographed, I think to include the children is wrong.

 

[Alexey 1904]

grevinan, please refer to post #968 to find out who was quoted at saying the press are vultures. It is not MissJanet.

 

[COUNTESS]

Listen, I don't think anyone meant any harm here. When you are in public life, you are in PUBLIC LIFE. They are of interest to certain populations and the photographers, today, make their livings selling pictures. The Duke of Marmalade is correct, they could arrive and leave in more closed off areas. But it is what it is. Miss Janet a vulture is a large bird that eats carrion, dead things. They hover over a kill, hence the use of the word. You are not a vulture. No one here has shown disrespect. It is all in what you think is right.

 

[Duchess of Durham]

I wonder why Beatrix and Mabel always appear in those mourning-black dresses any time they visit Friso "officially". I mean he his not yet dead but Mabel to me already appears like a widow...

Wonder secondly how long Friso´s little daughters will stay interested in that body who probably will never again show any reactions. Mabel might want them to visit him regularly but IMO in a foreseeable time it will only become a (troublesome) duty because they are IMO relatively young maybe even too young to feel an urge to go on visiting him for month or even years....

In a sense they are in mourning. Life has drastically changed for the family as Friso likely will never be the man he was before. Beatrix will likely never have another conversation with her son the way she used to. Mabel will likely never receive the affection Friso used to giver her. The girls will likely never crawl into their fathers' lap or feel his arms wrapped around them. They all will likely never hear him say "I love you" again. They are mourning a life they likely no longer have.

 

[rominet09]

In a sense they are in mourning. Life has drastically changed for the family as Friso likely will never be the man he was before. Beatrix will likely never have another conversation with her son the way she used to. Mabel will likely never receive the affection Friso used to giver her. The girls will likely never crawl into their fathers' lap or feel his arms wrapped around them. They all will likely never hear him say "I love you" again. They are mourning a life they likely no longer have.

Well said. Terrible to understand that, being there but not really there !

 

[COUNTESS]

It may be worse than that. She may have to make very difficult decisions in the future. She is a lovely and brave woman. Her shoes are very hard to fill.

 

[rominet09]

I wonder when we will have further information. We CARE about him !

 

[Marengo]

TBH I don't expect any new information to be released any time soon. Things are as last stated by the RVD: the prince is in a coma & in a clinic in London. Unless there is a significant change the family probably will prefer to keep whatever the doctors are saying private, which is their good right.

 

[COUNTESS]

Yes, you are quite right. I, believe, from some information I read, that he can only stay there 2 to 3 weeks, if there is no improvement....on the other hand he is a prince. I don't know. It seems cruel all around.