Soldier of Orange 1917-2007

On Wednesday, Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, otherwise known as the ‘Soldaat van Oranje’ (Soldier of Orange), died in Hawaii at the age of 90. He wrote his memoirs in the 1970’s and a film called the ‘Soldaat van Oranje’ directed by Paul Verhoeven (Black Book, Starship Troopers) and starring Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner, Ladyhawke, Escape from Sobibor) as ‘Erik’ was made in 1977. He served as adjutant to Queen Wilhelmina in 1945 and participated in the coronation of Queen Beatrix in 1980. On May 7, 2005, Blauw Bloed, a Dutch television programme about royalty, aired an exclusive interview with Erik Roelfzema recounting his war experiences and work with the Dutch Royal Family. It has been reported that the Dutch Royal Family was saddened by the news and sent their condolences to the family.

Rasmussen's Views of Sweden and The Queen of Denmark

Splendid pageantry was gloriously exhibited when King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden disembarked from the HMS Visborg on May 9th for a three day state visit to Denmark. The king’s last official visit was in 1975.

The state visit enabled Blauw Bloed’s commentator Jeroen Snel the unique opportunity to ask Denmark’s Statsminister Anders Fogh Rasmussen his views on Sweden and Queen Margrethe II.

Snel: "How important is Sweden to you?"

Rasmussen: "It’s our neighbor and is very important. The theme of this state visit is the integration in the Öresund region, cooperation, strength, and cooperation between Sweden and Denmark, so it is very important."

Snel: "How do you look to the Queen in Denmark?"

Rasmussen: "Well, she is more than a symbol, but she is a symbol of the nation, the unity, our society. She is a symbol of continuity, history and the future. So, as head of state, the queen has a very important role to play."