King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands celebrated his 57th birthday in Emmen, in the Dutch Province of Drenthe. He was joined by Queen Máxima, Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia, Princess Ariane, Prince Constantijn, Princess Laurentien, Prince Maurits, Princess Marilène, Prince Bernhard, Princess Annette, Prince Pieter-Christiaan, Princess Anita, Prince Floris and Princess Aimée. I was a bit scared […]
Sachsen-Weimar – My article in Royalty
On 8 April 2024 it was 200 years ago since Princess Sophie of the Netherlands, later Grand Duchess von Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach – was born. For the Dutch magazine Royalty, issue 3/2024 I wrote an article on this occasion with the title “Groothertogin Sophie speelt een zeer belangrijke rol in mijn leven” (Grand Duchess Sophie plays a […]
Royal News April 2022
Last modified: 3 May 2022 1 April In an interview with the NPO-Radio program FunX Queen Máxima of the Netherlands remembered growing up in a country with huge inflation. That’s why she studied economics and learned that “handling money well is an important part of a better life”. As a parent one should be strict […]
King’s Day 2022
After two years alternative King’s Day celebrations, it is finally possible to celebrate again. No mask, no distance … ten thousands of people all over the Netherlands are celebrating the same way as before 2020. The royal family will be present in Maastricht, in the province of Limburg in the south of the Netherlands. As […]
Royal News September 2021
Last modified: 2 October 2021 1 September The Duchess of Cornwall shared her recipe for Victoria sponge cake. Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway has returned to school her father Crown Prince Haakon has confirmed. She tested positive for Covid-19 on 22 August. It is reported that Princess Mako of Akishino (Japan) and her fiancé Kei […]
Royal News April 2021
Last modified: 8 May 2021 1 April The life and legacy of the late Diana, Princess of Wales is to be commemorated with a blue plaque of English Heritage marking her home at 60 Coleherne Court, Earl’s Court, London, where she lived before marrying in 1981. The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam received the first Covid-19 […]
No King’s Day without a tompouce
At least that is what most Dutch people say. As also this King’s Day will mainly be a digital one, most people will sit at home and enjoy a tompouce I guess. Personally I could do without it. I love nearly all cakes, but tompouce or choux pastry (profiteroles or big versions with lots and […]
King’s Day with a twist
For me personally King’s Day wasn’t that much different from other years. Most of the time I am not with the royals in a city, but sit at home waiting for photos and news to come in. There is always a lot to do. I was not quite sure what to expect this year. Only […]
Dutch royal TV in times of crisis
The Dutch television at the moment rebroadcasts successful old tv-programs, including some royal ones. Unfortunately most of it is in Dutch, but it is worth watching. I hope all is visible abroad, but on Twitter several people said they could see them. “Bezoek aan Drakensteyn” – The 1980 interview with Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus […]
The history of Queen’s and King’s Day
My first Queen’s Day was in 1993 when the Dutch royal family visited Sneek, 2003 a friend and I were in Deventer as far as I remember. The first time I was there as a journalist was in 2004 when they visited Warffum and Groningen. I was there again in 2005 in Scheveningen, 2006 in […]