Prince Constantijn Turns Forty

Prince Constantijn, youngest son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, marked his fortieth birthday today. His favourite sports are football, tennis, golf and skiing.

He is married to Laurentien Brinkhorst. The couple wedded in May 2001. They have three children: Eloise (7), Claus-Casimir (5) and Leonore (3).

The prince has degrees in law and business administration and works for RAND Europe in Brussels.

Photo: Jeroen van der Meyde

Queen Beatrix Holidays in Lech

Whilst on her annual holiday in Lech, Queen Beatrix granted a photocall today. She was joined by her sons, Willem-Alexander and Constantijn, and their families. Amongst the various snow activities, five-year-old Amalia displayed some of her skiing prowess whilst being coached by her father, the Prince of Orange.

Photos: Frank van Beek

New Photos of Eloise, Claus-Casimir and Leonore

The Dutch Royal Family website has released some charming snaps of Prince Constantijn’s three children. The eldest, Eloise, is six. Claus-Casimir is four years old and Leonore is two.
Photos: Prince Constantijn

Prince Constantijn Awards World Press Photo of the Year

As patron of World Press Photo, a post previously held by his grandfather, Prince Bernhard, Prince Constantijn presented British photo journalist Tim Hetherington with the World Press Photo of the Year 2007 prize at the World Press Photo awards ceremony yesterday. The reward was 10,000 Euros and a new camera.

Below is some text from Prince Constantijn’s speech at the World Press Photo awards.

"In 2008 WPP decided it needed a patron. I must admit, my initial reaction was to be a little embarrassed that this esteemed organisation would turn to me for support. So as the chairman did today, I asked the question: Why? WPP replied with a counter question (after all, they are journalists…): Why not, and on what ground would you accept? As I intend to remain patron for some years to come, I thought you might want to know right from the start what I replied and thus what my reasons were for accepting."

"First and foremost, the WPP is one of the most powerful global advocates of free speech and freedom of the press. What words and print cannot express, the photographed image can convey. Pictures presenting the hard facts, the subtle emotions, the contrasts and hypocrisies to a global audience have changed history. The World Press Photo Awards celebrate those photo journalists who have often risked their lives to tell us these stories. And the travelling WPP exhibitions tell them to unexpected constituencies in unexpected parts of the world."

Prince Constantijn’s entire speech from the World Press Photo awards can be read here.

For more information on World Press Photo, visit the official website.

Photo: ANP/EPA, Marcel Antonisse

Winter Play for The Dutch Royals

Whilst enjoying their winter respite in Lech, Queen Beatrix gathered her sons, Prince Willem-Alexander and Prince Constantijn, and their families for a photocall over the weekend. The children were amiable throughout the session with the exception of the youngest in the clan. While she wept in her father’s arms, ten-month old Princess Ariane was comforted with a kiss by her older sister Princess Catharina-Amalia. When it came to demonstrating some winter sport skills, Amalia displayed her skiing adeptness with support from her father the Prince of Orange.

Photos: ANP

70th Birthday for Queen Beatrix

Tomorrow, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands celebrates her 70th birthday. Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, Princess of Orange-Nassau and Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld was born at Soestdijk Palace in Baarn on January 31, 1938.

Princess Beatrix married Claus von Amsberg on March 10, 1966. Upon his marriage, Claus received the title Prince of the Netherlands. Prince Claus passed away on October 6, 2002. She and Claus were married thirty-six years.

Princess Beatrix gave birth to three sons: Prince Willem-Alexander, Prince Johan Friso and Prince Constantijn. Her children have blessed her with eight grandchildren: Eloise, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Claus-Casimir, Emma Luana, Princess Alexia, Leonore, Joanna Zaria and Princess Ariane.

Beatrix became Queen of the Netherlands on April 30, 1980 when Queen Juliana abdicated on her 71st birthday.

Queen Beatrix favourite pastimes are sculpting, riding and sailing. She plays tennis and skis.

For those wishing to extend birthday salutations to Queen Beatrix (sorry, it is in Dutch only), visit the Dutch Royal House website.

Photos: RVD

Prince Constantijn Interprets Culture and Conflict at the Prince Claus Awards Ceremony

To impart the theme for the 2007 Prince Claus Awards, Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands incorporated Culture and Conflict in his speech on Wednesday and elucidated the gathering of winners, the Dutch royal family and Prince Claus board members with his interpretation of cultural expression regarding conflict, by saying, “cultural expression contributes to the protection and growth of human civilisation and the dignity of individuals and their communities. Thus, culture tends to defend freedom of expression when there is oppression, and to shake things up when society gets too sedate or too decadent. Seen from this perspective, culture is a mobilising force. It contains the energy necessary for change and growth, and thus provides a vital component for sustainable human development.”

“It is this positive and creative force that we want to nurture. Deep down within us, we hope – I would argue, universally - that THIS, and not the destructive and brutal violence of conflict, is the true reflection of our human nature. In this perspective, it is cultural expression that provides the hope, the vitality and inspiration for human beings in their struggle for survival.”

During the ceremony, choregrapher/dancer Faustin Linyekula was honoured by Prince Constantijn with the Principal Laureate of the Prince Claus Award.

Established in 1996, The Prince Claus Fund seeks “to enhance understanding of cultures and to promote interaction between culture and development.”

Prince Constantijn’s entire speech from the 2007 Prince Claus Awards can be read here.

For more information on The Prince Claus fund, visit the official website.

Photos: ANP and Lex van Lieshout

Dutch Royals Participate in Make a Difference Day

With Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands at the helm, the Dutch Royal Family came out in force to promote “Make a Difference Day” on November 3rd. The queen along with her sister, Princess Margriet, helped out with cooking chores at Open Erf "De Groote Modderkolk" in Loenen, Gelderland. Princess Máxima passed out food and reading material to hospital patients at the Groene Hart Ziekenhuis in Gouda. Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien volunteered at the Asielzoekerscentrum in Alkmaar. Professor mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven participated in rescue operations at the Koninklijke Nederlandse Redding Maatschappij in Hoek van Holland. Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène appeared at the Stichting LaLuz in Amsterdam. Rounding out the group, Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Princess Anita visited the Nachtopvang in Zelfbeheer in Utrecht.

Photos: ANP

Princess Laurentien Speaks at Cultural Forum for Europe

On September 26th, Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands addressed the first Cultural Forum for Europe organised by the EU presidency of Portugal. She is the wife of Prince Constantijn and daughter-in-law of Queen Beatrix.

Some of her remarks are below.

"Excellency, Ladies and gentlemen, friends of culture,"

"Recently I was struck by a commercial advertisement entitled ‘open to change’ in a special edition of a leading US political magazine. Against a visually highly creative background, it reads: “healthy cultures nurture creativity. They help breathe life into the people who live within them. And also: “healthy culture welcomes dissent: it listens for the sound of new voices and supports original imaginations. And then – this is my favourite: “healthy cultures are full of artists. When hope dies, so does creativity. When culture is lost, so is the future.”

"We no doubt all agree that open cultural expressions are a precondition for free societies and, equally, that cultural expressions per se provide meaning to our existence. Artists are essential to our future. They are as diverse as the creativity that they express. They are bearers of provocation, beauty and inspiration. They are change agents and provide deeper insights and even comfort. Less than 20 years ago it was a dream that the cold war would end and Europe would be reunited. Artists imagined that dream in their works – and many engaged in making it come true. Less than 10 years ago, an alarming new divide emerged between cultures and religions, globally and in our communities. Many artists play an important role in making us understand and overcome this divide."

"Fifty years ago, reconciliation of Europe’s nations was not taken for granted. It was then that a group of visionary individuals founded the European Cultural Foundation to promote cultural cooperation across all borders and boundaries. I am delighted to be here as President of the ECF. As an independent foundation, we advocate a new alliance between civil society, national and European authorities as well as the private sector to acknowledge the importance of culture and the arts for the social fabric of our continent."

"In a globalising world, Europe has become a complex interplay between diverse people and peoples. For the sake of our children, we need to invest in the future common good, and in our joint capacities to tackle the unexpected. It is our responsibility to make Europe not only more efficient, but also more inclusive. We need to educate the next generations on the challenges ahead in terms of knowledge and employability, but also on being cultured and responsible citizens. It is up to us to safeguard and develop the specificity of Europe, its tremendously rich cultures, impregnated by our history of failures and progress."

"I applaud the Portuguese EU Presidency to organise this first ever Cultural Forum. It provides us with an excellent and much needed opportunity to sit around the table for a structured and focused dialogue. Much needed, because “the cultural sector” – if there is such a thing - is unique in its individualism and fragmentation, as we all know. This inherent fragmentation is a blessing in that it demonstrates the rich diversity of cultural expressions across Europe. But our fragmentation is also a curse. We need to face the challenges of a world where knowledge, communication, people, products and creativity know fewer and fewer boundaries. We need to grab the economic and other opportunities a borderless market such as Europe provides. Let us face these challenges and opportunities, by joining forces, by listening and by making our voices heard."

Princess Laurentien's entire Cultural Forum for Europe speech can be read here.