Fun and Laughter at Princess Ariane's Christening

Princess Ariane Wilhelmina Máxima Ines was christened on Saturday, October 20th at the Kloosterkerke in the Hague. She was dressed in a christening gown that was worn by Princess Wilhelmina in 1880. Ariane was baptized with water from the River Jordan. Ds. J.A.D. van der Boon, minister to the Dorpskerk in Wassenaar, presided over the ceremony. Minister Van der Boon also baptized Princess Alexia at her christening ceremony on November 19, 2005.

In the solemn ceremony of Princess Ariane’s christening, the siblings and cousins of the little princess decided that entertaining the guests was much more fun. As they assembled in front of the christening font on pillows marked with an ‘A,’ the children displayed some antics that even elicited some laughter and smiles from Queen Beatrix. Princess Amalia along with her cousin Eloise covered their ears; Claus-Casimir threw a pillow and one child tugged at the robes of Minister Van der Boon. At one point, Princess Máxima tried to bring the children under control with a stern face, but failed at the attempt.

Approximately 850 guests were in attendance for the ceremony. Money collected from the service was imparted to the Orange Fund. Princess Ariane’s godparents are Valeria Delger, Inés Zorreguieta, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, Tijo Baron Collot d’Escury and Anton Friling. Below are some highlights from the christening ceremony including some encouraging words from Ariane's godparents.

Minister Van der Boon
“A special word of welcome to you, family, friends and guests of Ariane’s parents. Dutch will be the language of this service. An English translation has been provided, so that you can follow the words. But as you know, services are more than just words. They combine all kinds of elements: music, silence, hymns, prayers, lessons and blessings. Moreover, the rich symbolism of the christening service speaks for itself. So even where you cannot follow the language, you will understand the meaning.”

Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg
“May the graces of God be granted to Ariane who will be baptized on this solemn day and may that the Lord grant her a full-filled live. Lord, bless her parents to whom Ariane represents the most valuable of gifts.That this child may always remain in your eyes a gift of God and the fruit of an unceasingly growing love.”

Valeria Delger
“My dear Ariane, I wish you a life full of joy, health and peace. May you be blessed with the love of unconditional friends that will help you stay true to yourself throughout this wonderful journey.”

Inés Zorreguieta
“Dearest Ariane, I truly hope that, looking always for balance and flexibility, you can turn into who you intend to be, that you can recognize and learn from your success and errors, that you can at all times develop the eagerness of learning from good, bad, your own and from other´s things, and last but not least I hope that along this path you can come to realize that affection and love are the primary, the ultimate and the most essential things in life.”

“Sound the trumpet”
Music: Henry Purcell (1659-1696)
Text: Nahum Tate (1652-1715)
Sound the trumpet 'till around
You make the list'ning shores resound.
On the sprightly hautboy play,
All the instruments of joy
That skilful numbers can employ.
To celebrate the glories of this day.


“Praise my soul, the King of Heaven”
The English Hymnal

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
to his feet thy tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like me his praise should sing?
Alleluia, Alleluia,
praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for his grace and favour
to our fathers in distress;
praise him still the same as ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless:
Alleluia, Alleluia
glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like, he tends and spares us,
well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hands he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
widely as his mercy flows.
Angels help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow thou before him,
dwellers all in time and space:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
praise with us the God of grace.

Photos: ANP