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In the presence of his family, the Netherlands’ Prince Constantijn gave out the annual Prince Claus Award, which is named after his late father. The Award is given to 11 cultural pioneers in developing countries, more specifically those who inspire change and make a difference.
 Click here to learn more During the ceremony, Constantijn, the youngest son of Queen Beatrix, spoke about his father and how his upbringing influenced him.
“After he had lived under two dictatorships in Germany and the Dominican Republic, he was convinced that people feel obliged to show civil courage,” said the Prince at the presentation at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
“[P]eople really can make a difference by showing civil courage. This was a kind of mantra for my father.”
“In remembering him, we celebrate today: the courage to speak up, to perform, and express. The Prince Claus Awards provide a stage to acknowledge the exceptional work of organisations and people who make a real difference. They contribute to culture, and through culture. In doing so, they offer – in their own small or grand manner – new pathways for hope and development,” concluded Constantijn.
This year, the main winner of the Prince Claus award was Ntone Edjabe. Born in Cameroon, studied in Nigeria and now lives in South Africa, he is the founder of Chimurenga (Struggle for Freedom) magazine. It is a culture, art and politics publication seen all over Africa. The magazine also focuses on breaking African taboos. Edjabe took home a prize money worth €100,000.
Ten others from countries such as Zimbabwe, Tibet/China, and Kazakhstan have received a prize of €25,000 for their commitment to culture and development.
Sources: De Telegraaf, Prince Claus Fund
On Tuesday, the royals of the Netherlands welcomed President Amadou Toumani Touré of Mali to their country. The president and his wife, Lobbo Traore, are on a three day state visit. It comes within days of news of a Dutchman being kidnapped in Mali.
 Click here for more images President Touré mentioned the kidnapping in his speech during the state banquet at the Royal Palace Noordeinde at The Hague. He told the Dutch people that he is “terribly sorry that this happened”. He also promised to help the situation.
Her Majesty Queen Beatrix thanked Touré for his apology, saying “I appreciate very much that you personally spoken in response to your horror over the terrible incident.”
She added, “We all hope for a good outcome.”
The Dutch national, who’s name is unknown, was abducted at a restaurant in Timbuktu along with two others, a Swede and a South African.
Before the state banquet, the President and his wife were received by Queen Beatrix during a welcoming ceremony. Later on, Touré met with members of Parliament and even gave a speech discussing the economic developments of Mali.
Sources: De Telegraaf, Eerstekamer, NOS
 Click here to see recent photos of the Queen Today marks the day the Queen of the Netherlands became the oldest Dutch monarch.
Her Majesty Queen Beatrix beat King Willem III, who died on 23 November 1890 at the age of 73 years and 277 days. Saturday has the Queen at 73 years and 278 days.
None of the other Dutch Kings and Queens made it past this point while on the throne. Those who were older than Beatrix is now had already abdicated. Those include her mother, Queen Juliana, who was 71 when she stepped down because “her strength was diminishing”. She went on to live for another 24 years before dying at the age 94 in March 2004.
Source: Radio Netherlands
The Dutch Caribbean will be getting the royal treatment for ten days. Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Princess Maxima are on tour of the islands that are constituent countries of the Netherlands. They include Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the former Dutch Antilles. The royal trio began their visit Thursday in Aruba.
 See more photos here at Daylife.com Arriving in Oranjestad, the Dutch royals were greeted by Prime Minister Mike Eman. There was a private dinner hosted by Governor Fredis Refunjol before the Queen, her son and her daughter-in-law began their agenda.
That included taking part in the Fiesta Popular held at Linear Park, which showcases the island’s diverse cultures. The royals marched in the parade along with beauty queens and dancers wearing fabulous headgear.
For the rest of their Aruba visit, the Queen, Willem Alexander and Maxima will be shown Arikok National Park, see the“Bo Bario” beautification project in the Juwana Morto section of San Nicolas. The Queen and Maxima then will visit a foundation for battered women while Willem Alexander will meet with the Aruba Green Energy Conference. After that, the royals will head to Bonaire, formerly part of the Dutch Antilles, now a Dutch municipality.
There has been some unhappy sentiment in the former Antilles over its breakup. It is expected there will be protests and flashes of anger towards Queen Beatrix as she tours those islands, which are Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba.
“The Queen is above politics,” says an organizer of a protest. “She can say and do everything, and change the laws.”
Another place where the royals won’t be seeing many joyousness over their visit is Curaçao, where there has been an increase in anti-Dutch sentiment. Some parliamentarians back in the Netherlands suggested the Queen not go to that island, but ever true to their royal roles, Beatrix, Willem-Alexander and Maxima will go to Curaçao.
Sources: Aruba.com, Radio Netherlands
This Tuesday was Prinsjesdag for the Netherlands – the day Her Majesty Queen Beatrix gives a speech from the throne to officially open the Dutch parliamentary year. This day is also called Budget Day, as the Queen outlines the annual budget in her speech.
 Click here for more recent photos of Queen Beatrix Like so many other governments in the world, the Dutch have to cut back in order to preserve funds due to tough economic times, and that affects all citizens. Beatrix discussed that in her speech.
“The economic and social uncertainties are putting our stamina to the test,” the Queen told the politicians at Knight’s Hall in The Hague.
“The government is making an appeal to everyone to contribute to this — an appeal in this difficult period for everyone to build together a stronger society and a stronger economy in the best traditions of our country.”
But she spoke of hope and optimism during the difficult times.
“Our starting position is positive. The government is looking forward to an involved and open exchange of views. We would like to work with you towards solutions which are widely accepted.”
After giving her speech, the Queen and other members of the Dutch royal family, including Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima, rode in gold trimmed carriages to Noordeinde Palace where they went out onto the balcony to wave to the many Dutch below.
The Netherlands’ budget cuts include raising the retirement level from 65 to 66 in 2020, and deep fund reduction to the social security system.
Source: Reuters, Radio Netherlands, AP
 Click here for more Beatrix & Amalia photos The Queen of the Netherlands showed up Sunday for the final day of the European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam. She brought with her granddaughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia, who is second in line to the Dutch throne.
This was Queen Beatrix’s first outing since going for cataract surgery in her right eye on Thursday. She noticably wore sunglasses while spectating the competition.
Also in attendance with Princess Benedikte, the sister of the Queen of Denmark. Benedikte is the patron of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses. The royal trio say in the royal box, cheering loudly for their favorite, Adelinde Cornelissen of the Netherlands, who won the gold medal.
Source: Royalblog.nl, The Royal Forums Blog
 View more pics of Queen Beatrix here Controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders is looking to propose a bill that will limit Queen Beatrix’s influence over the Netherlands’ government.
Wilders announced this proposal during a press conference on Monday and said he will present the bill to Parliament on September 1st. While he does want to preserve the monarchy, he wants the Queen to be solely ceremonial and not involved in politics.
Currently, Her Majesty meets once a week with Prime Minister Mark Rutte to discuss how to run the country.
Rutte denies the Queen has any influence and reportedly does not want any changes towards the Queen’s role in the Netherlands.
Geert Wilders is the head of anti-Islam party, Freedom Party, that is dedicated to restricting immigration. Wilders has caused plenty of controversy over his criticism of Islam and multiculturalism.
Source: Nieuws.nl
On Monday, the Dutch crown princely couple allowed the media to photograph their three daughters – Princesses Catharina-Amalia, Alexia and Ariane. This year’s photoshoot was done at Queen Beatrix’s Italian estate in Tavernelle.
The exciting part of this year’s session was that all three of the girls wore their own summer dress. In previous years, they all dressed alike. But clearly the princesses are getting too old for that.
Queen Beatrix did sit with her eldest son’s family and at one point, even got out her own camera and shot away along with the media!
 Click here to see more pics!
At the Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn Saturday, Queen Beatrix and her daughter-in-law, Princess Maxima, received a tour of a new exhibit showcasing Maxima’s decade in the Netherlands.
 Click here to see more of the exhibit Its been 10 years since it was announced that she will marry the heir to the Dutch throne, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, and since then, the Argentinian Maxima has become one of the most popular members of the royal family. This exhibit honors the Princess’ place in Dutch society.
The exhibit features some of Maxima’s most famous attire – the Valentino wedding gown she wore to her 2002 wedding to Willem-Alexander, her ensemble worn to the baptism of eldest daughter, Princess Catharina Amalia, as well as several other articles of clothing. Photographs are shown alongside the outfits, which are encased in glass.
Besides celebrating 10 years in her adopted country, Princess Maxima has another milestone coming up. Later this month, she turns 40 years old. It is expected the Dutch royals will throw a major bash that will include royalty from around Europe.
“Princess Maxima, 10 Years in the Netherlands” officially opens Sunday and will run until September 4th 2011.
Source: Paleis Het Loo
Ten days after the shooting tragedy in Alphen aan den Rijn that left six people dead, a memorial was held in the town at the Castellum Theater. Queen Beatrix and Crown Prince Willem Alexander attended, along with Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Outside, hundreds of Dutch gathered to remember those who died.
 Click here for images of the memorial As one person said at the memorial, “That Saturday began so sunny, but ended in jet black.”
Alphen aan den Rijn’s acting mayor commented that his town will never be the same again.
He then aloud the names of the six people who died. On stage were six columns with flowers on top of each. After the names were read, there was a minute of silence. Then the song, “Reverse Time” by Stef Bos played.
Premier Rutte stressed in a speech that the victims and survivors are not alone. “We do not look away. There are people around you who want to help to bear the pain.”
After the memorial, the Queen and the Crown Prince met with the victims’ families and consoled them.
On Saturday, April 9th, a lone man opened fire at an Alphen shopping center. Seventeen were injured, and three of them remained hospitalized.
Source: NOS.nl
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