New Dutch King

[Jordi]

Today King Willem-Alexander ascended to the throne of The Netherlands after former Queen Beatrix abdicated. I no longer live in the Netherlands, but I watched most of it online. I really feel like I saw The Netherlands at its best on this historic day and it made me proud of my country. I know we are just a tiny nation, but I was wondering if other nations payed any attention to this.

So to the "foreigners" of the Escapist I would like to ask: did this show up on your national news? What did you think about it?

To other Dutch people: How was it?

To everyone: how do you feel about monarchies? Do you think it's a cool tradition, or is it undemocratic? Or something else?

CAPTCHA: "ladies first". Sorry, no, we have a king now...

 

[JoJo]

It was in the UK news today and I have been following the event somewhat since I have a general interest in monarchies. What did I think? Perhaps a little low on tradition compared to our royal family, the new King didn't even put on a crown as far as I could see but then your monarchy has a rather different role to ours so it's to be expected I suppose.

As for monarchies in general, I definitely think a constitutional one is a step above having a president, since while both generally have the power to veto laws, the non-elected status of a monarch means they can't use that power to override an elected government without outrage ensuring, the British monarch for example hasn't refused to sign a law in over 300 years. The power does remain with them though, so any laws that would destroy democracy or something equally extreme could be shot down. This is especially important in a country with no written constitution such as the UK. Plus, having a non-political monarch as Head of State everyone can unite around is an advantage over having a older career politician who will likely have their own stances and divisiveness from their past actions and affiliations.

 

[Goofguy]

It was front page news in Canada this morning. The Netherlands and Canada have a lot of history together so that wasn't surprising. We hosted some members of the Dutch royal family during the Nazi occupation of their country in WWII. This included the new king's mother and his aunt, who was technically born in Canada (the maternity ward in Ottawa was made international territory for the sake of her Dutch citizenship).

Anyway, I read all about the ceremony in the news but have yet to watch any footage. I think monarchies are cool traditions but they should be just that, traditions. I'm proud of Canada's royal history but our queen is more of a figurehead than a head of state. I personally feel the monarchy has no place in Canada anymore. I may have felt differently if our queen resided in Canada but she lives across the pond and only visits us once every 4-5 years. And we're the ones stuck with footing their bill (not to mention the bill of the 3 other random royal family members who visit annually).

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I heard about it but didn't check out any news first hand about it. I may or may not. At the moment I'm preparing for a little trip.

I think monarchies are cool traditions but they should be just that, traditions. I'm proud of Canada's royal history but our queen is more of a figurehead than a head of state. I personally feel the monarchy has no place in Canada anymore. I may have felt differently if our queen resided in Canada but she lives across the pond and only visits us once every 4-5 years. And we're the ones stuck with footing their bill (not to mention the bill of the 3 other random royal family members who visit annually).

I share the opinion. As cool as it is to say you have a monarchy, it becomes significantly less cool when they are completely unapproachable. I could conceivably budget a trip to Ottawa if I really wanted to. London is beyond the scope of anything possible for me for a long, long time. I have nothing against the family or royalists. I just don't see the importance of it anymore for the average Canadian.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Why did Beatrix abdicate?

Anyway, personally, I'm against monarchy. Even though it's mostly symbolic nowdays, it's still symbolic of the idea that people are just better because of who their ancestors were. That's foolish at best, and often quite dangerous.

 

[Casual Shinji]

I'm just fucking glad it's finally over. The past few weeks you couldn't turn to a channel or open a newspaper without royalty related news, programs, or commercials. And I already loath the Dutch royal family as it is.

We're in a neck deep crisis, but let's blow millions on this fucking coronation. And in 2015 anyone who depends on medical care at home is screwed.

 

[JoJo]

Why did Beatrix abdicate?

Basically because she's old, it's been a tradition in the Netherlands for the last few decades for a monarch to abdicate once they're about seventy, rather than cling on to the bitter end like we all know Elizabeth II will.

Anyway, personally, I'm against monarchy. Even though it's mostly symbolic nowdays, it's still symbolic of the idea that people are just better because of who their ancestors were. That's foolish at best, and often quite dangerous.

Dangerous is a little big of an exaggeration to be fair, nowadays a monarch wouldn't be able to abuse their power without the media and public tearing them to pieces.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

I work for Her Majesty's Armed Forces, so I am a definite fan... Hell, my bank statements even say Her Majesty's Government as the entity who pays me!

I really do like the traditions and status of the British Royal Family, and I like to see others too, so I did keep up with the Netherlands new monarch. I agree though, it's strange seeing a Royal Family without all the tradition ivolved that we have.

 

[FallenProject]

Yes it showed up in my news, and no, I don't like it.

I don't care for royalty, I dislike the notion that any country should have a class of people born into a naturally higher 'status' regardless of what they do.

Horrible middle ages rubbish which we should dispense with. Don't get me wrong, I like harmless tradition, and it can actually be very vindicating and personally supportive. But we can have the palaces and the history without the big game of "I'm better than you."

Basically.

 

[FamoFunk]

I really dislike the monarchy in my country, so I'm not going to be a fan of others.

 

[Jordi]

It was in the UK news today and I have been following the event somewhat since I have a general interest in monarchies. What did I think? Perhaps a little low on tradition compared to our royal family, the new King didn't even put on a crown as far as I could see but then your monarchy has a rather different role to ours so it's to be expected I suppose.

As for monarchies in general, I definitely think a constitutional one is a step above having a president, since while both generally have the power to veto laws, the non-elected status of a monarch means they can't use that power to override an elected government without outrage ensuring, the British monarch for example hasn't refused to sign a law in over 300 years. The power does remain with them though, so any laws that would destroy democracy or something equally extreme could be shot down. This is especially important in a country with no written constitution such as the UK. Plus, having a non-political monarch as Head of State everyone can unite around is an advantage over having a older career politician who will likely have their own stances and divisiveness from their past actions and affiliations.

Yeah, I was kind of disappointed that he didn't wear the crown, but apparently it's tradition (I wasn't alive for the previous "coronation"). The royal family here is extremely approachable and they are trying to really be part of the people rather than "above" the people. Note also that he didn't wear his military costume and after the ceremony he even changed into a regular black tie costume.

I can definitely see the merits of the constitutional monarchy. We actually do have a constitution and the monarch is sworn to uphold it, although I'm not sure he really has the power to do anything about it. Yeah, he signs the laws, but I'm not sure he really has any veto rights and if he does, they haven't been exercised in forever. The advantage to having an elected president is that the monarch isn't partisan and makes for a kind of continuity and unity. On the other hand, I guess it's not fair that not everyone can get this job and it makes quite a lot of money (and if you're not the king, but related, you still get some government money).

Anyway, I read all about the ceremony in the news but have yet to watch any footage. I think monarchies are cool traditions but they should be just that, traditions. I'm proud of Canada's royal history but our queen is more of a figurehead than a head of state. I personally feel the monarchy has no place in Canada anymore. I may have felt differently if our queen resided in Canada but she lives across the pond and only visits us once every 4-5 years. And we're the ones stuck with footing their bill (not to mention the bill of the 3 other random royal family members who visit annually).

Yeah, our monarch is also more of a figurehead. The queen isn't really (publicly) involved in any real politics. It used to be that she appointed the person who was in charge of forming governments, but they took away that right in the last election. Other than that, they're mostly PR to other countries and they will talk to the people on Christmas and comfort people when some tragedy has happened.

Why did Beatrix abdicate?

Anyway, personally, I'm against monarchy. Even though it's mostly symbolic nowdays, it's still symbolic of the idea that people are just better because of who their ancestors were. That's foolish at best, and often quite dangerous.

She abdicated because 1) she's old and 2) thinks that this is a good time for her son to take over. This is not surprising to us at all. It's not supposed to be a for-life job (like being the pope).

They try very hard not to appear "better" than other people. Of course it's a privilege to be king and the family receives government funding, but it's also a hard job that I certainly wouldn't want. I really don't think it's dangerous at all.

I'm just fucking glad it's finally over. The past few weeks you couldn't turn to a channel or open a newspaper without royalty related news, programs, or commercials. And I already loath the Dutch royal family as it is.

We're in a neck deep crisis, but let's blow millions on this fucking coronation. And in 2015 anyone who depends on medical care at home is screwed.

I guess that's the advantage of living abroad. I didn't really see anything until I decided to watch yesterday.

I don't really think the coronation and festivities surrounding it are a waste of money. This happens - what? - once every 33 years and they did this instead of the regular festivities surrounding Queensday. The amount of (extra) money it cost isn't even a speck on the healthcare budget. Yes, I know that it could have paid for home medical care for a limited number of people, but we don't make our entire national budget based on helping sick people. We invest money in lot's of other things, including things that make regular people happier. It seems to me that a huge number of people thoroughly enjoyed the festivities for this once-in-a-generation event, so I say that's money well spent.

 

[Zantos]

A parody hasn't appeared on the Daily Mash yet, so I didn't hear about it. I think it's the best way to get my news. I'm betting there's going to be a "Kate fancying new King" style article, in which Tom Logan from the Institute of Studies digs out a rule that says Prince Will and King Williem-Alexander fight to the death over her. Then Martin Bishop doesn't know where the Netherlands is.

 

[wolf thing]

well in Britain are royal family are vital for are economy, they bring in hudge amount of money. not to mention many people live on land owned by the family who do not take taxes for people living on there land. i dont have any really connection to the queen and her family because im Scottish and as far as i know are royal family are long gone, but if im wrong please tell me, but since they bring in money and because the tradition is import over here im fine with them being here.

 

[Bertylicious]

Monarchies are alright I guess, at least the kind of faux ones we have these days. I'll probably be a bit more against it when Charles is crowned though because he's a bit of a knob and far too keen on gardening.

So who would win in a fight, Prince Charles or King Willem-Alexander?

 

[Casual Shinji]

I'm just fucking glad it's finally over. The past few weeks you couldn't turn to a channel or open a newspaper without royalty related news, programs, or commercials. And I already loath the Dutch royal family as it is.

We're in a neck deep crisis, but let's blow millions on this fucking coronation. And in 2015 anyone who depends on medical care at home is screwed.

I guess that's the advantage of living abroad. I didn't really see anything until I decided to watch yesterday.

I don't really think the coronation and festivities surrounding it are a waste of money. This happens - what? - once every 33 years and they did this instead of the regular festivities surrounding Queensday. The amount of (extra) money it cost isn't even a speck on the healthcare budget. Yes, I know that it could have paid for home medical care for a limited number of people, but we don't make our entire national budget based on helping sick people. We invest money in lot's of other things, including things that make regular people happier. It seems to me that a huge number of people thoroughly enjoyed the festivities for this once-in-a-generation event, so I say that's money well spent.

Except that it happens at the precise time when things are really, really, really tight. And all the accommodations for those foreign royalties had to be payed for aswell.

In this day and age, people living off of the tax payer simply because of the family they were born in is preposterous. The least they can do is lower the royal family's allowance to the "Balkenende norm", which is 130 % of the minsister-president's salary. And not have it be over 800.000 a year for what amounts to little more then ribbon cutting and hand waving.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Why did Beatrix abdicate?

Basically because she's old, it's been a tradition in the Netherlands for the last few decades for a monarch to abdicate once they're about seventy, rather than cling on to the bitter end like we all know Elizabeth II will.

Ah, fair enough.

Dangerous is a little big of an exaggeration to be fair, nowadays a monarch wouldn't be able to abuse their power without the media and public tearing them to pieces.

Not dangerous because the monarchy might do something, dangerous in that the state shouldn't be saying that some people are just better because of who their parents are. That's an idea which as no place being advocated by a modern society.

 

[Wadders]

I'm a Brit, and I love our monarchy. I'm glad the Dutch seem to love theirs too. And you say you're a small nation, but you have a great history to be proud of! I loved the sea of orange in the photographs, not as formal as our Royal occasions but it still looks great!

As far as our Queen goes, she's great, but I'd like to see Charles to get a pop at it for a few years, so we can have a Charles III - he seems like a pretty decent bloke. Unlikely though, Elizabeth seems to be clinging on for dear life.

 

[SckizoBoy]

It was in the UK news today and I have been following the event somewhat since I have a general interest in monarchies. What did I think? Perhaps a little low on tradition compared to our royal family, the new King didn't even put on a crown as far as I could see but then your monarchy has a rather different role to ours so it's to be expected I suppose.

It's weird actually, since the Dutch monarch is never crowned, even though a crown exists. Ostensibly it's because they don't have a state church, so no religious cleric is authorised to do the crowning. Strange, eh...

snip

And as with most monarchies, the Dutch royal family isn't really Dutch... the current heir to the throne, Catherine-Amalia, is only one quarter (or less) Dutch, the rest is German and Hispano-Italian. Eh... we've been ruled by Germans for the last three hundred odd years, though they've slowly become Anglicised. If anything, Elizabeth II regressed a bit from her father by marrying in true Germanic fashion... ¬_¬

Not dangerous because the monarchy might do something, dangerous in that the state shouldn't be saying that some people are just better because of who their parents are. That's an idea which as no place being advocated by a modern society.

Better? Not quite... that may be necessarily true up to a couple hundred years ago when the Royal Family (irrespective of country) actually had influence in political issues, but these days, they're just a poster family for the nation. Of varying quality, of course, but a somewhat expensive poster family nonetheless. It has its pros and cons, but I find the idea of a constitutional monarchy quite... *shrug*... compared to most others.

And this coming from someone who doesn't agree with democracy, so I'm hardly one to speak...

They try very hard not to appear "better" than other people. Of course it's a privilege to be king and the family receives government funding, but it's also a hard job that I certainly wouldn't want. I really don't think it's dangerous at all.

For the most part, continental royal persons just try to appear as... well, 'people', rather unlike the British Royal family, who strangely persist in sending its sons into the military (practically, not just giving them cursory titles). I like continental royal families because, for the most part, they have proper jobs...