Category Archives: Dutch Royal Family

His Royal Highness Prince Johan Friso of Oranje-Nassau Has Passed Away. (VIDEOS)

FrisoIt was announced this morning via RVD/ HKH that His Royal Highness Prince Johan Friso of Oranje-Nassau, son of Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands and His Royal Highness the late Prince Claus of the Netherlands, has passed away.  He was 44 years old.

Per RVD/HKH:

“His Majesty the King announces with deep regret that His Royal Highness Prince Johan Friso Bernhard Christiaan David, Prins van Oranje-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg passed away this morning at Palace Huis ten Bosch in the Hague.

Prince Friso has died of complications related to the hypoxic brain injury, which he suffered as the result of his skiing accident in Lech, Austria on 17 February 2012.

Following initial treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Innsbruck University Hospital, Prince Friso was transferred in early March 2012 to the Wellington hospital in London, his place of residence. In November 2012, Prince Friso begun showing signs of limited awareness (‘minimal consciousness’) and remained in that state since then.

In early July 2013, he was transferred to Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, the Netherlands. 

The Royal Family wholeheartedly thanks all persons who have looked after Prince Friso for their excellent and devoted care.”

Prince Johan Friso leaves behind his wife, Her Royal Highness Princess Mabel of Oranje-Nassau, and their two daughters, Countess Emma Luana and Countess Joanna Zaria. 

Funeral arrangements for the late Prince Johan Friso are pending at this time.

My deepest condolences to Princess Mabel and her daughters and to the entire Dutch royal family.

Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH

A Summer Photo-Op With Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. (VIDEOS)

On Friday, July 19, 2013, Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands along with their three daughters and their dog, Skipper, posed for photographers during their annual summer photo session at Villa Eikenhorst in Wassenaar.

Click here to watch more videos

Click here and here to view photos.

Photo courtesy of HKH/RVD

 

His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands Opens the 2013 European Youth Olympic Festival. (VIDEO)

WAKingOn Sunday, July 14, 2013, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands arrived at Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht to officially open the 2013 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF).

According to RVD, the European Olympic Committee and Dr. Jaques Rogge:

“…launched the European Youth Olympic Days, now called European Youth Olympic Festival, in 1990. The first games took place in Brussels in 1991.

Today, the EYOF is a biennial event which gathers athletes between the ages 13-18 years old to compete in nine Olympic events: Gymnastic, Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Handball, Judo, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball.”

Click here to watch a video

Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands Visits Emma’s Hof in Den Haag.

maximaOn the afternoon of July 9, 2013, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands arrived in Den Haag to meet with several volunteers who maintain the “…city garden…” known as Emma’s Hof.

The garden serves as an “…open air community center run by over 100 volunteers.  Emma’s Hof is a quiet neighborhood meeting place for adults as well as an area where children can play in a safe and natural environment.”

Photo courtesy of HKH/RVD

His Royal Highness Prince Johan Friso of Oranje-Nassau Returns to the Netherlands. (VIDEO)

FrisoThis afternoon the Dutch royal court announced that His Royal Highness Prince Johan Friso of Oranje-Nassau has been transferred from Wellington Hospital in London to Paleis Huis ten Bosch in Den Haag, Netherlands, where “…a medical team, led by Prof. Jan van Gijn and Dr. Michael Kuiper, will be entrusted with his care.” 

As you may know by now, Prince Johan Friso was struck by an avalanche on Friday, February, 17, 2012, in Lech, Austria. The second son of Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands and the late Prince Claus was buried alive for — what has now been confirmed — 25 minutes.  The search and rescue team who found Prince Johan Friso tried desperately for 50 minutes to resuscitate the prince.  They succeeded. However, because Prince Johan Friso lacked oxygen for 25 minutes he suffered serious brain damage. Today, Prince Johan Friso “…remains in a state of minimal consciousness…” according to RVD.

Click here to watch a video news report from NOS.

Photo courtesy of HKH/RVD

HM Queen Maxima of the Netherlands Visits Stichting Best Buddies Nederland. (VIDEO)

pssmaxima2011On July 9, 2013, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands arrived at the Universiteit van Leiden to meet with members as well as volunteers from the Stichting Best Buddies Nederland.

According to RVD, the purpose of Stichting Best Buddies Nederland is to match young people with intellectual disabilities with those who do not have such challenges in order to “…promote social inclusion and to encourage active citizenship.”

Click here to watch a video.

Photo courtesy of HKH/RVD