Photosession summer 2015

This afternoon it was time for a photo session with the family of King Willem-Alexander. This time, the photoshoot took place on the beach  near Nature reserve Meijendel in Wassenaar. This was also the location in the photo session in the summer of 2009.

"Quiet day at the beach with the family" - WA #fotosessie #zomer #strand

According to King Willem-Alexander. He posted the massage on the official Twitter account of the gouverment information service. He enclosed  the following picture:

Around eighty photographers and camera crews were there to photograph the royal couple and their daughters, the Princesses Amalia, Alexia and Ariane together with the dogs Skipper and Nala

 © RVD: Fotograaf Robin Utrecht

In the sotlights: Princess Carolina

Today is the 40th anniversary of Princess Carolina. A nice reason to put her 'in the spotlights'

Youth 

Under the watchful eye of mom and dad Princess Carolina and her sister Princess Margarita  jumps on the trampoline in the garden of Soestdijk Palace on 31 May 1980 (RVD)

Princess Maria Carolina Cristina was born on 23 June 1974 as the fourth child of Princess Irene and Prince Carlos Hugo. The Princess has two older brother Prince Carlos and Prince Jaime and an older sister Princess Margarita (twin sister of Prince Jaime). In her early years the Princess lived in France and Spain. After her parents ' divorce in 1981 the Princess moved  with her mother, her brothers and sister to The Netherlands. Here she first lived in her grandparents home,  Palace soestdijk, later she lived at a villa close to Soestdijk Palace and at the end at a villa in Wijk bij Duurstede.

Study and work

Princess Carolina with her mother, Princess Irene, the day after the abdication 1 may 2013

Princess Carolina received the Master (MA) in international relations and political science at the University of Amsterdam and Havord and a master's degree in Forced Migration at the University of Oxford.

After studying the Princess began her career at the United Nations. Since the beginning in 2000 she has work for this organization in New York, Eritrea, Palestine, Indonesia, Haiti. On this moment she works at an office in Geneva. There she worked mainly with the Office for the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Princess Carolina works also as an independent consultant in the field of humanitarian aid and development and is on the Board of the Foundation for Human Dignity.

Marriage and family

#146435059 / gettyimages.com

On 9 January 2012, it was announced that Princess Carolina was engaged with Albert Brenninkmeijer, a member of the family who owns the international clothing department store C&A. On 21 april 2012  the couple married  before the law, in Wijk bij Duurstede. The religious wedding was celebrated in the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte by Florence on 16 June 2012. On 1 February 2014, it was announced that Princess Carolina and Albert Brenninkmeijer expect their first child in  mid May 2014. On 20 May 2014 their daughter Alaïa-Maria Irene Cecile Brenninkmeijer born in Zurich
Titles
Because her father was the head of the "Bourbon de Parme 'dynasty Princess Carolina is a Princess de Bourbon de Parme. Her Title therefore, Her Royal Highness Princess de Bourbon de Parme. In 1996 her father gives her the title 'Marchioness of Sala.' In 2003 Princess Carolina received the Spanish Carlist titled "Duchess of Guernica. Neither of the two titles recognized by the respective countries. Through Royal Decree in 1996  the title prince / princess Bourbon de Parme with predicate Royal Highness acknowledged in the Netherlands.

Member of the Royal family

Princess Carolina (First person from the left in the photo) at the baptism of Countess Eloise in 2002 (RVD)

Although Princess Carolina  has built up a private life outside the spotlight in Switzerland, she is present at family occasions. In 2001 she was even one of the bridesmaids at the wedding of her cousin Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien, in 2005 she was one of the witnesses at the church wedding of her cousin Prince Floris and she is also godmother of Countess Eloise (Daughter of Prince Constanlijn en Princess Laurentien) and Eliane (Daughter from Prince Floris and Princess Aimee)

Christening of  Eliane in 2010 (RVD). Princess Carolina is the second person from the left. 

SPECIAL: Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien married 12.5 years

The history

Prince Constantijn Christof Frederik Aschwin Prince of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Esquire of Amsberg was born in Utrecht on 11. October 1969 as the third son of Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus. The Prince has two brothers, King Willem-Alexander (1967) and Prince Friso (1968-2013). He grew up in Lage Vuursche (Castle Drakesteyn) and in 1981 he moved to The Hague (House Ten Bosch Palace ).


The Prince received his primary education at the Nieuwe Baarnse School in Baarn and his secondary education at the Eerste Vrijzinnig Christelijk Lyceum in The Hague, where he gained his VWO (pre-university education) certificate in 1987. During the 1987/1988 academic year, Prince Constantijn attended language courses in France and Italy.

In 1995 he gained his master's degree in law from Leiden University where he specialised in civil law. In 2000 he studied business economics at the European Institute of Business Administration in Fontainebleau (INSEAD).

Princess Laurentien was born in Leiden on 25 May 1966  as Petra Laurentien. She is the daughter of former minister Laurens Jan Brinkhorst and his wife Jantien Brinkhorst-Heringa. She  has a brother Marius. Princess Laurentien spent part of her childhood in Japan.

Princess Laurentien received her secondary education at The Hague and later at the Lycée français in Tokyo, Japan, where she passed the Baccalauréat A examinations. After het secondary education she studied History at the University of Groningen, where she completing her foudation year in 1986 and then continue in London. There she  received in 1989 a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of London (Queen Mary College). In July 1991, the Princess took her Master of Journalism at the University of California at Berkeley in the United States.

Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien know each other from childhood. The mother of Princess Laurentien is remained friends with Queen Beatrix after she lived together in the same house in Leiden. The friendship between the mothers from Prince Constantijn en Princess Laurentien don't mean that they saw each other often. The couple got to know each other better years later in Brussels. From 1995, there was a real relationship

The engagement

After a relationship of 5 years  Prince Constantijn lured his future wife to her home in Brussels where she saw a sea of ​​flowers. A few weeks later (on December 16, 2000), the engagement was announced. This was done through a press release and a press conference in the vestibule of Huis ten Bosch, where both parents were present.

Video

Marriage

View image | gettyimages.com

The civil marriage was on 17 May 2001 in the Old Council Chamber at city hall of The Hague . Princess Laurentien wore a pink dress with parelmour mantle of raw silk that was made by the Belgian fashion designer Edouard Vermeulen of the Natan couture house in Brussels. The bridal bouquet at the civil marriage consisted mainly of sweet peas, which was the favorite flower of Princess Juliana. The ceremony was , with the exception of Princess Juliana, attended by all (adult) members. There was a special welcome for Prince Bernhard by Mayor Deetman. During the ceremony Prince Friso (brother of Constantijn), Mikkel Hofstee (good friend of Constantijn), Marius Brinkhorst (brother of Laurentien) and Sophie  van de Wauw (Laurentien her  best friend) were the witnesses.
During the ceremony, the marriage vows was spoken and there were several speeches. After the ceremony in the city hall the couple spoke to the press.  On the Huis ten Bosch Palace, they spent the rest of the day  with all guests. There  was a dinner and they dancing until late evening. It was a rainy day, but that does not make sence. The couple enjoy a ride in an open car.

Arrival newlyweds - Again arriving of  newlyweds -  Arrival Queen Beatrix and Prince Bernhard - Princess Laurentien looking over the shoulders of Prince Constantijn - A kiss on the hand  for Princess Laurentien -  Another kiss on the hand  - Prince Constantijn embracing his father -Sprinkled with leaves by depature

Two days later, on 19  May 2001, the couple married in the St. Jacob's Church in The Hague for the church. In contrast to the civil marriage was it  sunny that day in The Hague. Princess Laurentien had an ivory dress made by Edouard Vermeulen and a bridal bouquet composed of orange blossom, Gardenia, Bougainvillea, Rose Emerald Green, Rose Avalanche, Snowball, and Convallaria. Her sleep was more than 3.5 meters. The bridesmaids Princess Carolina de Bourbon-Parme and Charlotte Waldeck had to help her. The bridesmaids were Alice gravin Von Oeynhausen-Sierstropff; Gabriella Crossick-Kountourides; Julius-Constantin Freiherr von dem Busch-Haddenhausen; and Floris de Nijs Bik.

For the weddingday they use carriages, which left from Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. In the first carriage sat Marius Brinkhorst (brother of the bride) and his wife; in the second carriage were Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima (then not yet married, just engaged) and Prince Friso;  the third carriage were for the parents of the bride and groom; in the fourth carriage were the bridesmaids and the bride children. The fifth and final carriage was open and  for the bridal couple.

For the church wedding there were about 1,400 people invite. Among them are many members of royal or imperial family  such as Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden; Britain's Prince Edward and wife Sophie , Prince Haakon of Norway (then his fiancée) Princess Mette-Marit; former King Constantine of Greece (godfather of the groom); Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg with wife Sibilla; King Filip  of Belgium with his pregnant wife Queen Matilde, Prince Hassan binTalal and Princess Sarvath  El Hassan of Jordan; Prince Nikolaus von und zu Liechtenstein with his wife Margarethe; and the Japanese Prince Akishino and his wife. Except Princess Juliana the entire royal family was present. There was also a a large delegation of government and the guest list was completed by friends of the couple.

The service was conducted by Carel ter Linden. Constantijn his brother, Prince Willem-Alexander and the father of Laurentien read a text from the Bible. The witnesses were Prince Friso (brother of Constantijn), Mikkel Hofstee (good friend of Constantijn), Marius Brinkhorst (brother of Laurentien) and Sophie  van de Wauw (Laurentien her  best friend), all four  were witnesses at the civil ceremony aswell.

Prince Maurits takes pictures for his own archive -  The bridal couple during the ceremony -
Photo from departure -  The newlyweds leaving the church - Princess Laurentien in the carriage - Prince Willem-Alexander, Princess Maxima, Professor Pieter, Princess Margriet and Prince Bernhard (sr.) waiting for the coach

The bride and groom in the carriage - Waving in the carriage - The bridesmaids and children in the carriage

After the service the couple drove to Noordeinde Palace where Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien appeared on the balcony for 'the kiss.' Then  the parents of the couple also appearon the balcony, wich resulted  in a beautiful moment between the couple and Prince Claus.

After the balcony scene the the public part of the wedding day end, but the real party had to begin yet on the palace ... Click HERE and HERE for a picture of the dance.

Some offcial photos
The bride and groom
The bride and groom with there parents
The bridal couple, Queen Beatrix, Prince Claus and Prince Willem-Alexander
The bride and groom with Prince Bernhard
The bride and groom Prince Claus

A video of the church wedding (in Dutch)

Click HERE for a photo series on both days and HERE a picture of the then-upcoming, couple on the evening before there marriage and HERE Princess Margriet and Prof.Mr. Pieter

Family

On 8 June 2002, the first child of Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien was born. The girl was given the full name Eloise Sophie Beatrix Laurence.

On 21 March 2004 the family was extended with son Claus-Casimir, full Claus-Casimir Bernhard Marius Max.

And on 3 June 2006 with a second daughter, Leonore, full Leonore Marie Irene Enrica.



Present

Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien meanwhile, live with their three children in Brussels.
Prince Constantijn works as Chief of Cabinet at the European Commission for the cabinet of EU Commissioner Ms. N. Kroes, Commissioner for Digital Agenda and Princess Laurentien has been working at the European Climate Foundation and worked as an independent communications consultant. She has writes children's books and works for the foundations read and  write , Missing Chapter Foundation and Word wide  Fund for Nature.


I hope it is understandable English. When there is something unclear of you have a remark I like to hear that! Post an comment or sent me an message.

In loving memory: Prince Friso (September 25 1968-12 August 2013)

An unknown, introvert prince , who would like to life a normal life ouside the spotlights. That is how the public knew prince Friso. His friends called him extremely smart, athletic, humble, friendly and social. A real family man with humor, someone who enjoyed to spend time with his daughters ,, his wife , mother , brothers and his friends , someone friends and family could count on, someone who could tease his mother in a special way, his friend Adam Anders said in a documantary from the NOS. In this report I will look back on the life of a prince who is often called "the unknown son of Princess Beatrix'

 Youth

Prince Johan Friso Bernhard Christiaan David was born on 25 September 1968 in Utrecht as the second son of Princess Beatrix and the late prince Claus. He had one older brother, King Willem-Alexander (1967) and one younger brother, Prince Constantijn (1969).

His titles at birth were Prince of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg. Prince Friso was baptized on 27 December 1968 in the Dom Church in Utrecht. His godparents are King Harald V of Norway,  his grandma Queen Juliana , his aunt Christina Barones von der Recke  and  Axel von dem Bussche (good friend of the late prince Claus.)  He grew up at castle  Drakensteyn in Laage Vuursche in the shadow of his older brother King Willem-Alexander. Prince Friso likes that. From childhood he showed not very much enthusiasm for the idea he ever become king. When he was 9-year-old he said about his brother Willem-Alexander: "You may be beat up Alex , but not kill him, because then I will become king." A statement that in often repeated in his life.

Title

His titles at birth were Prince of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg.
According to the Law 'membership Royal House' (2002), Prince Friso had  no longer the title Prince of the Netherland safter his marriage . However, according to the Royal Decree of 19 March 2004 he got the personal title Prince of Orange-Nassau with the predicate Royal Highness and he got the hereditary title of Count. He het the surname Van Oranje-Nassau van Amsberg. His daughters are therefore Countess of Orange-Nassau van Amsberg.

Study

In 1986, he graduated from the secondary school Eerste Vrijzinnig Christelijk Lyceum in The Hague^.  From 1986 until 1988, he studied mechanical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, In 1988 he start studied at Delft University of Technology, where he obtained an engineer's degree in aeronautical engineering in 1994 .  From 1990 Prince also studied business economics at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. In 1995 Prince Friso finish this study succesfully and  abtained his master's degree. In 1997 he start  studied at the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD) in Fontainebleau (France) where he obtained his MBA.

 

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Work

After his study  European Institute of Business Administration , he goes to work for firm McKinsey &Company. After that he started working at the investment bank Goldman Sachs International in London where he worked in the investment banking division. Then  in 2004 the Prince start working as co-director of TNO Space in Delft and managing director for Wolfensohn & Company in London. His last job was at Urenco in London. He worked at there since 1 April  2011 as CFO (Chief Financial Officer)

Prince Friso was involved in a number of innovative ventures relating to sustainable energy, medical services, sustainable food and agriculture, and technology - including the MRI Centre, Rabo Ventures and Wizz Air. From 2004 to 2013 he was a member of the Board of Directors of Telenet.
Prince Friso supports various initiatives promoting innovation and technology, such as Jet-Net (Youth and Technology Network Netherlands), the Foundation 'Biowetenschappen en Maatschappij' (Biosciences and Society) and the Foundation 'Toekomstbeeld der Techniek (Netherlands Study Centre for Technology Trends). He was previously engaged with the Foundation 'De Avond van Wetenschap& Maatschappij' (The Evening of Science and Society) and the engineering and consulting agency Witteveen+Bos.  And he  was Honorary chairman of the Prince Claus Fund , Member of the Advisory Board, Christiaan Huygens Science Award , Patron of De Hollandsche Molen, which is the association for the preservation of Dutch windmills

 

Marriage and family

 

During the funeral of Prince Claus , Mabel Wisse Smit appears for first time in public. She walks with the family even in to the royal crypt. The RVD speaks about mabel as a good friend of the family. Mabel met prince Friso because her friendschip with princess Laurentien , wife of prince Constantijn)   On 30th of June 2003 will be announced that Prince Friso has become engaged to Mabel. The engagement will  creates quickly a lot of controversy when  there comes a sign that Mabel had a relationship with Klaas Bruinsma, a drug criminal. Prime minister Balkendende is angry because he thinks that the couple have not  told him all things about these contacts. The couple don't get permission for they marriage from the States-General . That means that the prince lose  will his right to the throne when he got married. However, he will retained the title royal highness and received the personal title Prince of Orange-Nassau and the hereditary title of Count of Orange-Nassau van Amsberg. The marriage goes on. On 24th of April  2004 prince Friso en Princess Mabel maried in the Old Church in Delft, the service led by Pastor Carl ter Linden
In a television interview on the evening before  there marriage Friso and Mabel said that it was 'unwise'   that they do not tell the full facts about mabels past.

 

Prince Friso and Princess Mabel have two kids. Countess Emma Luana Ninette Sophie of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg  born on 26 March 2005 in London and Countess Joanna Zaria Nicoline Milou of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg born on 18 June 2006 in London.

 

 

Leisure Time

In London the prince  could build a life in anonymity , he could work on a career and could enjoy privacy with his dougters en wife. In his leisure time he like to skiing apart from that he like  to scuba diving and playing golf. Unfortunately I have not found a picture of him skiing , scuba diving or  playing golf , so I use a  picture of the prince who is to play baseball.

Familieman

If one there is one thing I noticed  of what I hear friends telling about Friso then it is, that he is a real family man. He wasn't  much in public, but at family events he was , later also with his wife Princess Mabel, present . And at Queensday, he showed himself, altough it was in the background.

For Friso his father, the late Prince Claus, was an important source of inspiration. He was probably the one who  learn Friso that he has to go his own way and build  a  normal' social career as possible.

Together with his brother, prince constantijn,  prince Friso was honorary president of the Prince Claus Fund, which was created to celebrate the 70th birthday of Prince Claus in 1996. Once in two years  Friso reached the Prince Claus Award. He did it for the last time in 2010. In 2012 his brother, took his place.

The relation with his mother is also special. During the funeral of his father prince Claus  on 15 October 2002 you can see prince Friso supporting his mother by the sadness. A good friend (Adam Anders) also explained (in the special broadcast of the NOS) that he has has a special relationship with his mother. Prince Friso could tease her in a special way.

Later  he got daughters and he spent much time as possible with them. In a interview in the dutch magazine 'Libelle' in 2011 prince Friso said: "And than I prefer to work in the evening, between eight and half past eleven, then I have more quality time with the children during the day. And yes, there is less time left for sports and social life. . I like to bring that sacrifice ", in that same interview, he talked about holidays:" For us, the most important:.. Spend time together playing games, reading books ,  taking and make day trips But honesty, we do not much more than really being together. "

The dutch television program BlauwBloed make a beautiful movie about the life of prince Friso wach it HERE.

Watch the interview with good friend of prince Friso and Princess Mabel , Adam Anders



I hope the information is clear. My english is not very good, so  it could be that I made mistakes. My apologies for that.


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