April 2009 Archives
Queen’s Day tragedy & reactions
The annual Dutch celebration Queen’s Day ended in tragedy when a man drove into a crowd, killing at least five people and injuring others. The royal family was apparently the target of the attack but they were unharmed. Visit the Royal News page for more information and updates.
An official message from the official Dutch monarchy website (see below for translation):
Koninginnedag afgelast
Naar aanleiding van de verschrikkeijke gebeurtenis in Apeldoorn zijn de verdere activiteiten in het kader van Koninginnedag afgelast.
Hare Majesteit de Koningin deelt, mede namens de andere leden van de Koninklijke Familie, mee zeer geschokt te zijn door de gebeurtenissen en leeft intens mee met de slachtoffers en hun verwanten.
I don’t speak Dutch but I believe this message can be translated roughly as followed:
As a result of the tragic event in Apeldoorn, further Queen’s Day events have been cancelled. Her Majesty the Queen communicates on behalf of the other members of the royal family that they are very shocked by the events and sympathize intensely with the victims and their relatives.
I received email from D.P. Tick in the Netherlands, who writes:
The flags in Holland are now flying half-mast. The people hope that the open character of the Queensday can be preserved. The Queen made a very respectful appearance when she spoke to her people about the attack… Yes,that is the only direct positive effect of this attack: The people will more love or at least respect our royal family now.
Also: We must be awake, that we live in a very strange world. We always thought that such things are not possible in Holland, but now we know better.
When the Queen talked to the nation, she moved so much heart because everybody felt that she really meant it. Yes, that is a way of handling that only some royals can do. When the Queen spoke you only could stop your thoughts and be quiet inside and listen to her words. Yes, we have a very good royal family. Very human humans!
If you would like to share your own thoughts or sympathies, please do so in the comments of this post.
Dutch queen gets her feet wet
On April 28, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands christened four new ports in Rotterdam with the names of her sister Margriet and her grandchildren, Amalia, Alexia and Ariane. (Photos: Patrick van Katwijk via Zuma Press)
Queen Rania at sit-in
Today Queen Rania of Jordan lit a candle during a sit-in in Amman protesting violence against children. (Photo: EPA/STR)
Swazi king’s wife in LA
Below: Inkhosikati LaMbikiza, one of the wives of Swaziland’s King Mswati III, arrives for the second day of the African First Ladies Health Summit in Los Angeles on April 21, 2009. (Photo: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Royal welcome for Colombia’s president
Spain’s royal family welcomed Colombian president Álvaro Uribe and his wife Lina today at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.
From left: Prince Felipe, Queen Sofia, Uribe and wife, King Juan Carlos, Princess Letizia. (Photo: JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
UPDATE: Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia also attended a ceremony at which President Uribe received the Cortes de Cadiz for Freedom Award for his efforts against terrorism. (Photo via Zuma Press)
Queen meets Lebanon’s president
Queen Elizabeth II received the president of the Lebanese Republic, General Michel Sleiman, and his wife at Buckingham Palace today. (Photo via Newscom)
Charles tries the ham
The Prince of Wales sampled a piece of ham during his visit to Villa Wolkonsky in Rome on April 27. (Photo: TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images)
