The Prince of Orange Addresses Olympic Congress

The Prince of Orange is in Copenhagen this week fulfilling his duties as an International Olympic Committee member. He addressed the IOC Congress yesterday on the theme “How to keep the Games as a premier event.”

Below is the full text of Prince Willem-Alexander’s speech before the IOC Congress on October 3rd.

“Ladies and gentlemen,”

“When I was asked to make a modest contribution on the theme "How to keep the Games as a premier event" I felt that I first had to deal with the negative tones about whether this question.”

“Because the mere suggestion that the Games were not THE premier event would imply failure on my part as an IOC member and on the part of the entire Olympic Family. We could simply define the premier event as being more important than the number two and three events together. But the fact is that, as an event, the Olympic Games are in a class of their own.”

“In his contribution, Sebastian Coe made the following eloquent statement, "The Games Signify the most universal and unique social phenomenon for bringing together the peoples, cultures and countries of the world, the most successful movement for building international goodwill, cooperation and interaction and the embodiment of a set of values relevant to all societies. [1] I could not agree more. But note that Lord Coe did not once use the word 'sport'. There is in fact no event - sporting or otherwise - that can be compared to the Olympic Games. The Olympic Games are the ONLY premier event and it is up to us to Strengthen them.”

“Today I would like to look at some of the challenges facing the Olympic Movement. And I should like to share with you my views on how we could Strengthen the Olympic Games, and make them even more future-proof and beneficial than they already are. In doing so I shall take on board the many valuable contributions submitted to the Virtual Olympic Congress on this particular theme.”

(Challenges)

“We face many challenges. Pressure to deliver the best Games ever ", the enormous expense involved in hosting the Games, and commercial and political interference. There is also the need to strike a balance between tradition and evolution, between universal participation and participation by the best athletes, between control and flexibility, between the hardware needed for the games and post-Games utilization, and between our core business and the responsibilities that go beyond the event. Finally, there is the need for balance between the various actors that belong to the Olympic Movement.”

(Essentials)

“With so many challenges, we have no time to waste. But we need to focus our actions. We have to decide on the essential factors that make the Games a premier event. There are of course different viewpoints about what the term 'prime minister' implies, but I identify three interrelated essentials that deserve our attention.”

“The first is about delivering top-level sports. The competitions between the world's best athletes in individual or team events must always remain at the heart of the Olympic Games and they must be at least as important as the world championships of each sport. The sports on the Olympic program must therefore be those that are the strongest and most add value.”

“So to Strengthen the Olympic Games as a premier event, The Games must be about international competition at the highest level with the finest athletes participating in the sports that are most relevant and in line with the expectations of future generations. What is more, the games themselves must be an excellent product and experience. Olympic NOC or other related multi-sport events should be complementary to the games instead of copies of them. I could imagine for instance the Youth Olympic Games becoming a test run for future Olympic sports instead of a gathering of Olympic hopefuls, performing at sub-Olympic level.”

“So that was the first essential. The second and third go beyond delivering top-level sports. They are about the Games as a platform.”

“Our primary focus must remain on sports. The competitions are what the Games are all about. And given its independence, the IOC can not take the lead in addressing political matters. At the same time, however, we should not be too nervous about the fact that our event is considered an essential non-sports platform by global actors. We should actually take pride in that. Of course, hijacking the event for political purposes is totally unacceptable and we should always be on the alert that this does not happen. But I believe that this child of recognition from outside the world of sports confirms the Olympic Games' premier status.”

“So to Strengthen the Olympic Games as a premier event we must not oppose but welcome others from outside the Olympic Movement who consider the games to be a platform can benefit from their causes. Of course, they must show respect, and the Games and the athletes participating must not be affected.”

“The Games are also a platform for development, which brings us to the third essential.”

“To introduce the third essential I would like to quote Lord Coe once again. He wrote that "The Olympic Games provide a uniquely powerful platform for sport and a vehicle for developing sport globally, but also a platform for the many different sports and can play positive roles in our communities and societies and a vehicle for spreading the Benefits of sport . " The Games are indeed a catalyst for change in the host community, but they are also a catalyst for change elsewhere. And Increasingly we are becoming better equipped to monitor the impact of the Games.”

“So to Strengthen the Olympic Games as a premier event We must invest in sustainable development-related games, delivering positive long-term community benefits and legacies through sport. A new, integrated focus on community change and sustainable development will definitely Strengthen the premier status of the Games and contribute to a better world through sport.”

“In conclusion, I believe that the Olympic Movement, the IOC in particular, has the obligation to invest in these essentials. At the same time, I want to stress that the principles of Olympism should form the firm basis. NOCs and other members of our Family are now over stretched by the demand for diversification. The principles provide them with guidelines in making choices so that they can concentrate their resources where they really have an impact. I am convinced that this will severely then the Olympic Games as a premier event in these ever-changing times.”

“Thank you.”

[1] Contribution # 13: Why the World needs the Olympic & Paralympic Games more than ever, by Sebastian Coe

Beach Fun for Amalia, Alexia and Ariane

The Prince of Orange brought his family down for a photo session on the beach at the Meijendal Nature Reserve today. They carried the usual necessities for sand play such as a bucket and spade. Whilst posing for the media, Princess Amalia held a ball which featured Dora the Explorer. As the children played in the sand, Princess Ariane showed no trepidation of the ocean as she wandered near the rolling surf to fill her water pot. The three princesses were dressed identically in white eyelet tops and blue jeans as they patiently smiled for the cameras.
Below is some video footage of the photocall filmed by NOS.


Photos: Frank van Beek

Queen’s Day Tragedy in Apeldoorn

Queen’s Day celebrations in the Netherlands came to an abrupt halt today when a car demolished police barricades and careened into a throng of people at the cordoned off intersection of Jachtlaan and Amersfoortseweg. The crowd was waiting for the appearance of Queen Beatrix and her family. The Dutch royals saw the tragedy unfold as they turned onto Zwolseweg headed toward the Palais Het Loo in an open-air bus. The Prince of Orange and his wife, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, watched in horror as the car crumpled against the fence of a large monument called “De Naald” (The Needle) right in front of them. Willem put his arm around Máxima as she covered in mouth in disbelief.

The queen issued a video statement via her website sending her condolences for those killed and injured in the tragedy.

Below is a BBC news clip reporting on the tragedy in Apeldoorn.

The NOS article, “Vijfde dode na aanslag Koninginnedag Apeldoorn,” and video clips of the tragedy in Apeldoorn can be viewed here.

Photo: REUTERS

Prince Willem-Alexander Takes Family to Sinterklaas Parade

The Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima and their three daughters cheered the arrival of Sinterklaas as he paraded through Wassenaar on November 22nd.
Photos: Reni van Maren

Prince Willem-Alexander Presents Heineken Prizes

The Prince of Orange presented the prestigious Heineken Prizes yesterday to six winners in a special session of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences at the Beurs van Berlage Building in Amsterdam.

“The Heineken Prizes are international prizes awarded biannually to five internationally renowned scientists and one highly talented Dutch visual artist for their great merits to science, Dutch art and society."

"The scientific Heineken Prizes recognise and reward unique achievement in the fields of biochemistry and biophysics, medicine, environmental sciences, history and cognitive science. The sixth Heineken Prize, the Heineken Prize for Art, is awarded every two years to an artist living and working in the Netherlands.”

Below are some highlights from the speech given by the Prince of Orange at the presentation of the Heineken Prizes in Amsterdam.

"I would like to start by warmly congratulating today’s laureates on the award of the prestigious Heineken Prize. I would also like to express my great respect to Mrs Charlene De Carvalho-Heineken, and thank her for the way in which she has continued the tradition started by her father, which now enjoys great international acclaim."

"The Dr. A.H. Heineken Prizes are awarded to scientists and artists who are – I quote – “outstanding” and “a source of inspiration to others”. The laureates are often creative individuals who are able to offer new perspectives, make unexpected breakthroughs, and develop new approaches that others can follow."

"The world is in dire need of people who excel at science, like today’s laureates, to solve a wide range of political, social, ecological, and human questions. And we are fortunate that the appeal the world makes to science, and those engaged in science, is not being ignored."

"However, I do not intend focusing primarily on the valuable results of all that scientific effort – on the results achieved and the way they are applied. Rather, I would like to consider the scientific process as such."

"To celebrate its two-hundredth anniversary, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences has selected as its theme “The Magic of Science”. This spotlights something that people often feel but that is seldom actually stated.
The magic of science. What is that exactly?"

"First of all, it’s an intriguing paradox. After all, isn’t the whole point of science to strip the magic away from natural phenomena, so as to literally discover what is unknown? Of course it is. And it is precisely that ambition to explain reality – or at least parts of it – that many people feel to be rather magical."

"Scientists are people who know how to stop and consider the simplest of questions. Why is something the way it is? Why does something work the way it does? What will happen if we do this…or this…or this? It’s the ability to feel amazement – the way children sometimes gaze in surprise at a speck of dust blown by the wind. It’s that kind of magic."

"And there are also magical elements in the challenge that scientific research involves – the sense of adventure that characterises every scientific quest, and the hard-to-grasp and sometimes fortuitous way in which new insights are generated."

The entire speech given by the Prince of Orange at the presentation of the Heineken Prizes in Amsterdam can be read here.

For more information on the Heineken Prizes, visit the official website.

Photo: Rick Nederstigt

Glamourous Royals Rania and Máxima Descend upon New York

The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands were in New York this week to participate in various panels and meetings revolving around water, sanitation and finance. On Monday, Princess Máxima took part in a panel entitled “Microcredit, Microfinance, Inclusive Finance: Building on Success for Innovative Solutions for Poverty Eradication in Africa.” Below are some highlights from her speech before the panel.

“During the International Year of Microcredit, the United Nations asked me and 24 other distinguished colleagues from a variety of professional arenas including finance, academia, development, government and the regulatory community, to become a part of a new Advisors Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors.”

“Our task was to identify and define the key issues limiting access to financial services and advise the United Nations and its member states on strategies and concrete steps to remove these constraints – a task we gladly took on.”
“Inclusive finance” is so much more than microcredit. There are more than 2.1 billion “unbanked” people around the globe - people who do not have access to even the most basic types of financial services that we often take for granted: bank accounts, insurance, savings, mortgages, money transfers and – yes—credit.”

Meanwhile, her husband, Prince Willem-Alexander gave speeches before various panels such as the Round Table on Health and Education, High-Level Event. Below are some highlights from his round table address.

“As chairman of his advisory board on water and sanitation I feel privileged that the Secretary-General offered me the opportunity to speak at one of the Round Tables, especially as he also allowed me to choose which discussion I wished to address. This shows that he shares my concern about the water and sanitation crisis, suffered by more than 40% of the World’s population.”

“You might think I am in the wrong room right now and should be speaking at roundtable number 3 on Environmental Sustainability which is where MDG 7 target 3 would seem to belong with conventional wisdom prevailing. I prefer a more unconventional out of the box approach and chose this Round Table – on Health and Education – to speak about water and sanitation because you cannot achieve the MDG’s in these areas without improving water, sanitation and hygiene. The lack of access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation causes lasting negative effects on the health and development of human lives. Those effects will only increase if we do not intervene…”

“The sanitation target is linked to health and education in so many ways. MDG 4 for instance, reducing child mortality: it is estimated that the lack of access to sanitation causes at least a quarter of all child deaths in the developing world. MDG 5 speaks of improving maternal health: the World Health Organisation calculates the impact of the lack of safe drinking water and basic sanitation to be around 529,000 maternal deaths a year. And MDG 6 is aimed at combating diseases: WHO estimates that improving water, sanitation and hygiene has the potential to prevent at least nine per cent of the disease burden.”

“Besides these synergies with health, we can see an unmistakable relationship between education and the targets on water and sanitation. To achieve MDG 2, universal primary education: by meeting the water and sanitation targets, an estimated 272 million school days would be recovered which are currently missed by school children suffering the effects of waterborne or sanitation-related diseases and related problems.”

Whilst the Dutch royals were expounding on their areas of expertise, Queen Rania of Jordan was fulfilling engagements close to her heart. She attended various panels, meetings and award ceremonies such as the Class of 2015: Education For All pledging summit , the Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Awards, the Global Campaign for Education event, the UNDP World Business and Development Awards and In My Name: MDG Call to Action event.

On Tuesday, the queen received the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award at the Synergos University for a Night event. She was recognized for her endeavors in “education, health, youth, and the environment.” Rania was also praised for her core efforts in the areas of microfinance, family issues and cultural understanding.

For more information on Synergos, visit the official website.

Photos: ANP/Rene Clement, Petra

Summer Photocall Featuring The Prince of Orange and Family

The Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima and their three daughters posed for photographs at Landgoed De Horsten today. Princess Catharina-Amalia will be turning five on December 7th. Princess Alexia celebrated her third birthday on June 26th and Princess Ariane passed her one year mark on April 10th.Photos: Lex van Lieshout, REUTERS

Willem-Alexander and Máxima Visit Expo in Zaragoza

The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands attended a private dinner hosted by the Prince and Princess of Asturias yesterday at Zarzuela Palace. Willem-Alexander and Máxima are in Spain this week for the International Expo 2008 in Zaragoza. The theme for the expo is Water and Sustainable Development, a subject that is an area of expertise for the Prince of Orange. The royal couple participated in the national day for the Netherlands at the expo today.For more information on the International Expo 2008 in Zaragoza, visit the official website.

Photos: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey/Borja, EPA/ZIPI, REUTERS

The Prince of Orange Brings Good Luck to The Netherlands Football Team

It was a good day for the Netherlands football team whilst they competed in the 2008 European Championships in Bern, Switzerland on June 9th. The Netherlands trounced Italy 3 to 0. It seems that the team had a lucky charm with the attendance of the Prince of Orange at the game.

Photo: REUTERS

Prince Willem-Alexander Views Plans for 2012 Summer Olympics in London

The Prince of Orange appeared in London this week to view the layout for the 2012 Summer Olympics. About 60% of the sport venues will be built in East London as part of the restructuring plan to help regenerate growth in the district. Included in his agenda was a lunch with volunteers from the district of Newham and a visit to Newham Sports Academy.

For more information on the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, visit the official website.

Photo: Andrew Baker

The Prince of Orange Attends 10th Meeting of UNSGAB in Japan

The Prince of Orange, along with Honorary President Crown Prince Naruhito, attended the tenth meeting of the United Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation in Japan today. As chairman of the UNSGAB, the Dutch prince presented the opening remarks and said: “We have taken big strides in raising public awareness about sanitation. Now we must find ways to ensure that this increases access to safe sanitation at grassroots level. For we have only a few years to halve the number of people without access to safe sanitation, something we, the people of the United Nations, have committed ourselves to achieving.”

Tomorrow afternoon, Prince Willem-Alexander will meet with African leaders and ministers to prepare for the upcoming TICAD IV (Tokyo International Conference on African Development), the G-8 and the African Union Summit in an effort to “help prioritize the critical issues for water and sanitation.”

The entire opening remarks by the Prince of Orange at the tenth meeting of the United Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation in Tokyo, Japan can be read here.

Crown Prince Naruhito's entire address at the opening cermony of the tenth Meeting of the United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation in Tokyo, Japan can be read here.

Photo: Maya Trotz

Dutch Royal Family Participates in Queen’s Day Entertainment

The Dutch Royal Family partook of the festivities of Queen’s Day in the province of Fryslân today. They were welcomed in the towns of Makkum and Franeker. Amongst the many activities, Queen Beatrix took a turn with a dancer in Makkum and the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands rollerbladed in Franeker. Within the tradition of celebrating Queen’s Day, the official holiday is set to the reigning monarch birthday. Notwithstanding, Beatrix decided to honour her mother’s birthday, the former Queen Juliana, by keeping Queen’s Day on April 30th instead of moving it to her birth date January 31st.
Photos: ANP/Vincent Jannink, ANP/Robin Utrecht

Prince Willem-Alexander Attends First African Water Week In Tunis

After attending World Water Day 2008 in Geneva several days ago, the Prince of Orange was in Tunis for First African Water Week on March 26th. The event was organised by the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The theme was “Accelerating Water Security for Socio-Economic Development of Africa.”

Below is some text from Prince Willem-Alexander’s speech in Tunis at the First African Water Week.

“In September 2006 I accepted Mr Kofi Annan’s request to chair his Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation. Soon after, in December 2006, I chaired my first meeting, here in this hotel in Tunis, where we also held our first regional dialogue with African stakeholders led by the African Ministers’ Council on Water.”

“That frank and sobering dialogue underscored the many serious roadblocks impeding progress on water and sanitation in Africa. Yet, ultimately, it was also a hopeful and encouraging discussion. It reaffirmed my belief that by working hand-in-hand with our African partners, UNSGAB can make a difference. Since that first meeting in Tunis, I have seen what we can achieve. And I have not once regretted saying yes to the Secretary-General 18 months ago.”

“At that meeting in Tunis, you, our African partners, emphasized the urgent need to galvanize a stronger, more operational political commitment at the highest levels. And so we all agreed to campaign for an African water and sanitation summit specifically in the International Year of Sanitation, a high-profile event to push water and sanitation to the fore of African politics. On behalf of UNSGAB, I promised our support in making it happen.”

“And we did it! The African Union’s General Assembly recently agreed to organise a dedicated African Union Summit of Heads of State on Water and Sanitation, to be held on 30 June in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt. But a Summit alone… well, we’ve seen enough of them to know how effective they are without the right input. Input is content and content is king.”

“A very important step towards formulating that content was made at the Africa Sanitation Conference in Durban last February.”

“35 African Ministers and Heads of Delegation pledged their full support and commitment to making an ultimate effort to achieve the millennium goals on sanitation. This was put down on paper in concrete agreements in the éThekwini Commitments on Sanitation and the AfricaSan Action Plan 2008-2010. The next step will be to have these agreements endorsed by the Heads of State at the AU Summit in Sharm el Sheikh.”

“My sincere congratulations and thanks to everyone who helped to achieve these impressive results!”

The entire text from Prince Willem-Alexander’s speech in Tunis for First African Water Week can be read here.

Photo: ANP/EPA

The Prince of Orange Lauds World Water Day 2008 in Geneva

As the Prince of Orange attended World Water Day 2008 in Geneva yesterday, he repeated his message of concern regarding the billions of people lacking adequate water and sanitation. Describing himself as a traveling minstrel without the singing skill, the prince said, “sometimes I feel like a travelling minstrel, singing the same song again and again. Luckily for you I decided not to become one. To my regret, I found out when I was very young that I don’t have a great voice.”

“So don’t worry, I’ll not be singing for you today.”

“But, ladies and gentlemen, I DO have the words and I DO feel the need to tell my story. Because repetition breeds recognition, and recognition is what we need to make people act. And that’s why we have to tell our story again and again. The story is not about me, it is about 2.6 billion poor and vulnerable people who lack adequate sanitation. It is on their behalf we have to get the world moving.”

“That is why we are here today in Geneva to celebrate World Water Day 2008. I hope it will not be long before I can change my tune and we can sing another, more cheerful song about sanitation.”

“World Water Day is a special day, because we are drawing the world’s attention to the problems of water and sanitation.”

The prince challenged the audience to stay focused on the goal to provide “sanitation for all” and said, “let us end this injustice and let us join forces, because ‘Sanitation for all’ also implies ‘All for sanitation’.”

“Improved sanitation is achievable. Let’s make it reality and than we can write a real sanitation song.”

“I promise that I won’t join in the singing .... But I definitely will keep supporting and motivating you all and the rest of the world to take action for sanitation. I hope we’ll soon be singing a happier song!”

The full text of Prince Willem-Alexander’s speech in Geneva in honour of World Water Day 2008 can be read here.

Photo: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

The Prince of Orange Sends Videomessage to the 10th Summit of the African Union

The 10th Summit of the African Union was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from January 31st to February 2nd. Understandably, Prince Willem-Alexander could not attend the summit because of a familial obligation. He explained his absence to the audience on January 31st in a videomessage and said, “I would have loved to be able to be with you today. However, the celebrations for the 70th birthday of my mother, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, made my presence in the Netherlands obligatory. I trust you will understand this, accept my apologies and allow me to address your distinguished gathering by video message.”

Below is some text from Prince Willem-Alexander’s videomessage to the 10th Summit of the African Union.

"After accepting the position as Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation in December 2006, I was delighted that my first task was to preside over an African Dialogue on Water and Sanitation, with my friend and co-chair Ms Maria Mutagamba. Other prticipants were other high-ranking water representatives from the African Union, the African Ministers’ Council on Water, NEPAD, the African Development Bank, the African Water Facility, regional representatives and other key organisations which are instrumental in improving the water and sanitation situation in Africa. At that meeting, held in Tunis in December 2006, our discussions on the challenges Africa was facing were frank and sobering, yet in the end, hopeful and encouraging. Since then, my Board has been dedicated more than ever to advancing the water and sanitation agenda in Africa with the aim of helping to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015."

"I understand that your deliberations at the Summit have focused in particular on the theme ‘Industrial Development of Africa’. In order to overcome poverty and increase economic growth in the region, industrial development will be essential. I strongly agree that the African Region has a great potential for economic and social growth in this century. Take, for example, water resources development and management. Africa uses only 3.8% of its water resources for water supply, irrigation and hydropower, which are a prerequisite for industrial development. In other words, more than 96% of Africa’s hydro-potential is still untapped!"

"Besides the need for clean energy and water, industrial development needs a healthy workforce. However, Africa is facing an ongoing, endemic water and sanitation crisis that debilitates and kills large numbers of people, limiting economic growth, educational access, and life opportunities. Most at risk are the poor, especially women and children in rural areas and in the growing cities and informal settlements. Only 62% of Africans have access to safe water and only 43% have access to adequate sanitation. Major sanitation improvements could boost the economy in so many ways."

The full text of Prince Willem-Alexander’s videomessage can be read here.

Dutch Royal Gathering at Carré

The Dutch royal family will be gathering en masse on February 1st at the Royal Theater Carré to conclude the birthday celebrations of Queen Beatrix and Princess Margriet of the Netherlands. The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima will be attendance this time having missed out on Margriet’s birthday event at the Orpheus considering they were in Argentina celebrating the birthday of Máxima’s father.

Below is the list of royal attendees for the Royal Theater Carré event on February 1st.

Queen Beatrix
The Prince of Orange
Princess Máxima of the Netherlands
Prince Friso and Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau
Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and professor mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven
Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven
Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven
Prince Pieter Christiaan and Princess Anita of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven
Prince Floris and Princess Aimée of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven
Princess Irene of the Netherlands
Princess Carlos de Bourbon de Parme
Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme
Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme
Princess Carolina de Bourbon de Parme
Princess Christina of the Netherlands

Willem-Alexander and Máxima Spend Christmas in Argentina

The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands along with their three daughters, Catharina-Amalia (4), Alexia (2) and Ariane (8 mos.), are spending the Christmas holiday in Argentina. Today, Willem-Alexander and Máxima permitted a photocall on the grounds of the Dutch Embassy in Buenos Aires.
The little princesses were amiable despite the numerous cameras trained upon them. Amalia and Alexia played ball and watered some flowers in a large urn. As Amalia moistened the flowers, Alexia decided it was much more fun watering the ground by her feet. Before the holiday, Princess Amalia begin her classes in group one at the Openbare Bloemcampschool in Wassenaar on December 10th.

Photos: Royal Images and ANP

Honorary President Appointment for Naruhito of Japan

The United Nations Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation announced the honorary president appointment in a press release yesterday. Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan was appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. The prince will serve his term until 2010.

The Prince of Orange is the chairman of the advisory board and he has proven to be a capable and assiduous member striving to bring to the forefront the global plight for those lacking adequate sanitation and drinking water capabilities. For Prince Willem-Alexander, having another crown prince on board will strengthen the influence of the advisory committee.

Dutch Prince Champions Water and Sanitation Causes

Water and sanitation is a well-versed subject for the Prince of Orange. He recently addressed the World Toliet Summit in New Delhi, India to champion the causes for clean water and adequate sanitation. “In this campaign we will have to reinforce the global awareness of the importance of sanitation and personal hygiene to all. Policymakers are usually not faced with the horrors of lacking sanitation in their personal surroundings, so we will have to keep on reminding them what it is all about,” said the prince.

Besides his work with the United Nations Advisory Board of Water and Sanitation, the prince has been fulfilling his role as ambassador for his country. Before attending the summit, Willem-Alexander was in India and Bhutan for official tours to enhance diplomatic relations and economic ties.

The Prince of Orange’s entire speech at the World Toliet Summit can be read here.

Guestlist of Willem-Alexander's Belated Birthday Celebration at the Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn

It was a grand gathering of royals for the Prince of Orange, yesterday, at the Paleis het Loo in Apeldoorn which included his three daughters, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane. They participated with their parents in a carriage ride and the photo ops. Though not mentioned on the guestlist, Princess Máxima’s parents, Jorge Zorreguieta and María del Carmen Cerruti and her brother Martin were present at the festivities.


The list of the illustrious guests that appeared at the Paleis het Loo in Apledoorn, September 1st.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands
Princess Máxima of the Netherlands
Prince Friso and Princess Mabel van Oranje-Nassau
Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands
Prince Carlos de Bourbon de Parme
Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme
Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme
Princess Carolina de Bourbon de Parme
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and professor mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven
Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène van Oranje-Nassau
Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette van Oranje-Nassau
Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Princess Anita van Oranje-Nassau
Prince Floris and Princess Aimée van Oranje-Nassau

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium
Prince Hassan bin Talal and Princess Sarvath El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan
Princess Badiya bint El Hassan of Jordan and K.E. Blair
Prince Rashid bint El Hassan of Jordan
Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
The Prince and Princess of Asturias
Infanta Cristina of Spain and Iñaki Urdangarin
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
The Earl and Countess of Wessex

Prince Kyril and Princess Rosario of Preslav (Bulgaria)
Prince Kardam and Princess Miriam of Tirnovo (Bulgaria)
Archduke Karl Christian of Habsburg-Lotharingen and Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Habsburg-Lotharingen

Photos: ANP