Jubilee time! Nearing the 25th anniversary of my website, on 13 September 2023 the first big milestone of the year 2023 arrived: my own 50th birthday. The day itself was not very special. I received a few phone calls and tens of congratulations via e-mail, WhatsApp and social media. I treated my fellow folk dancers […]
Turning 50
Half a year from now I will celebrate my 50th birthday. No particular thoughts on that, although it sounds old. I am however glad I share my birth year with a group of royals. Thus far none of them has announced a big party, except of course for King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who […]
Mathilde – The 50th birthday of a perfect Queen
What was the first time I heard of Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz? I think it was on 9 September 1999, one day before the announcement of her engagement to the Belgian heir to the throne, Prince Philippe. They had managed to keep their relationship a good secret. However, the official presentation was held on my 26th […]
Royal News February 2022
Last modified: 13 March 2022 1 February On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Oranje Fonds the patrons of the charity, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima gave an interview. The Foundation was a present of the Dutch people for the couple when they got married on 2 February 2002. A man has been […]
Royal News January 2022
Last modified: 6 February 2022 1 January In his New Year’s greeting Emperor Naruhito of Japan offered prayers for the people who have died during the Covid-19 pandemic. He also praised doctors and health care workers for their work, and spoke about his concern for countries lacking access to vaccines and adequate hospital systems. He […]
Queen Máxima turns 50
One thing is certain: the people in the Netherlands can hardly have missed the fact that Queen Máxima turns 50 on 17 May 2021. Already for weeks there are (special) magazines focusing on the event, several books have been published. There are tv-programs and a real interview. My mother, who got two books from me […]
Book review: Rick Evers – Máxima
Ter gelegenheid van de 50ste verjaardag van koningin Máxima der Nederlanden op 17 mei 2021 zijn er in Nederland meerdere boeken gepubliceerd, en daarnaast eentje in Argentinië. Alle boeken zijn behoorlijk verschillend, maar hebben tot nog toe goede recensies ontvangen, behalve de Argentijnse. On the occasion of the 50th birthday of Queen Máxima of the […]