Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (at center in the photo below), her son Crown Prince Willem Alexander, and the crown prince’s wife, Princess Maxima, attended the 50th anniversary of the Dutch National Ballet at Amsterdam Music Theatre today.
Two royal weddings in Monaco
- Monaco toasts couple as Albert finally marries
- Albert weds Charlene in Monaco marriage (video)
- Prince marries South African swimmer
- Civil wedding of Albert and Charlene (photos)
- Albert & Charlene interviewed at evening concert (video)
- Charlene Wittstock marries Prince Albert (video)
- Concerts for wedding of Albert & Charlene (photos)
- Monaco’s inhabitants dismiss rumours (video)
- Chef prepares feast for wedding (video)
- Monaco: Land of the rich debates future (video)
- Prince Albert and Princess Charlene say ‘I do’
- Prince Albert marries in royal pomp
- Religious wedding of Albert & Charlene (photos)
- Albert & Charlene finish wedding ceremonies (good video)
- Albert and Charlene walk down the aisle (video)
- Guests arrive at Monaco wedding ceremony (video)
- Prince, Princess exchange wedding vows (video)
- Albert and Charlene kiss during wedding ceremony (video)
- Families of the bride & groom at wedding (photos)
- Some of the royal wedding guests – page 1 (photos)
- Some of the royal wedding guests – page 2 (photos)
- "Wedding, what wedding?" say some tourists
- In S. Africa, Charlene’s wedding drowned out by rugby
- Final night of celebrations in wedding extravaganza (video)
- Albert pays tribute to Charlene at wedding finale (video)
- Stars come out for Monaco’s princely wedding
- Prince Albert II: ‘Children absolutely on our minds’ (video)
- Lasers and techno beats hail royal wedding (video)
Remembrance & Liberation Days in the Netherlands
Els in the Netherlands sends a news update:
"Remembrance of the Dead (Dutch: Dodenherdenking) is held annually on May 4 in the Netherlands. It commemorates all civilians and members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who have died in wars or peace-keeping missions since the outbreak of World War II. The main ceremonies take place on De Dam in Amsterdam at the National Monument in the presence of the Queen, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife Princess Máxima. (Photos)
"Liberation Day (Dutch: Bevrijdingsdag) is celebrated on May 5 in the Netherlands to mark the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany. It is a national holiday although most people still have to work."
Below: Video of Queen Beatrix attending a May 5 concert in Amsterdam to mark Liberation Day.
Thank you to Els for sending this report!
Princess Ariane’s first day of school
Els in the Netherlands has sent another update about Princess Ariane’s first day of school:
“According to this article, Ariane arrived at school with her older sisters, Princess Amalia and Princess Alexia, and their parents, Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima. Ariane had a new Hello Kitty backpack. In the classroom she met her teachers. She was shy at first, but soon this was over. The school director said he expects Ariane to do well. ‘You noticed how eagerly she wanted to go to school; she always wanted to stay here.’”
Thank you to Els for the update!
Four-year-old Dutch princess to start school
Els in the Netherlands sends this news update: "This coming Sunday is the birthday of Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, the youngest daughter of Prince Willem-Alexander (Prince of Orange) and Princess Maxima. She will be four years old. In the Netherlands most children start school on the first school day after their fourth birthdays. Princess Ariane she will start on Monday, April 11.
"According to the Dutch media, Princess Ariane is placed in group 1A of the Public Bloemcampschool in Wassenaar, the same school attended by her older sisters, Princess Amalia (age 7) and Princess Alexia (age 5).
"Princess Amalia is doing well in school and even skipped a grade. Princess Alexia is in group 2 now.
"Previously it was said that Princess Ariane can’t wait to go to school. One anecdote was that she yelled that she was four every time she came close to the school. According to Princess Maxima, her youngest daughter is a child with enormous power and willpower. And Princess Ariane does not stop talking.
"After her first school day, Princess Ariane has to miss her parents for a few days. Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima will accompany Queen Beatrix on a state visit to Germany from Tuesday till Friday."
(Thank you to Els for sharing this news!)
Cake decorating and kick boxing
Dutch royals do volunteer work (photos)
Above: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Foto: Bart Homburg. Photo Source: NL Doet

