On September 24, 2012, His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje was in Maastricht to attend the opening of the 30th International Congress Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences conference.

Upon his arrival, the prince was warmly welcomed by representatives from the Dutch Genealogical Society and the Central Bureau for Genealogy (organizers of today’s event), the Mayor of Maastricht, Mr. Onno Hoes as well as the Governor of the Province of Limburg, Mr. Theo Bovens.

According to RVD, the conference:

“… is held every two years and focuses on scientists and lovers of family history and surnames (genealogy) and heraldry and coats of arms (heraldry). There are lectures about DNA testing and family history, the origins of heraldry, and coats of arms of former colonies and new countries.”

Sources: RVD and Congress2012

On Sunday, September 23, 2012, His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje attended the 2012 UCI Road World Championships in south Limburg.

During the award ceremony the prince presented medals as well as flowers to the winners.  When asked what he thought of today’s race the prince replied, “It was a fantastic championship!”  On the final day of the race over 200, 000 cycling fans came out to cheer for their favorite racer.

For more information about the 2012 UCI Road World Championships please click here.

Source: Limburg2012

On September 22, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands officially opened the newly renovated and expanded Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.

“A complete renovation of the Stedelijk’s historic building, designed by A.W. Weissman and dating back to 1895, has converted virtually all of its program spaces into galleries, enabling the first comprehensive display the Stedelijk has ever mounted of its permanent collection, widely acknowledged to be among the world’s most important collections of modern and contemporary art and design. 

The dynamic new building—designed by Mels Crouwel of Benthem Crouwel Architects and measuring 10,000 square meters (98,400 square feet)—will provide new space for the Stedelijk’s renowned and influential temporary exhibitions, as well as a host of new amenities. The innovative design also re-orients the entire museum to face onto Amsterdam’s Museumplein (Museum Plaza), activating a vital public space that is shared by the Stedelijk and its neighbors: the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw.”

For more information about the Stedelijk Museum please visit their official website here.  Or, click here to read an article from the online newspaper, Art Daily.

Click here to watch a video. 

Source: Stedelijk Museum

On Saturday, September 22, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands made a surprise visit to the 7th Annual Burendag (Neighbors Day) gathering in Uden.

Today’s event took place at the De Wiebert (a giant playground that also houses a community center).  The purpose of the event is to “… bring together local residents so they have a chance to interact as well as to get know each other better…”  Residents played games, listened to music, dined on delicious food, and much more.

Click here to watch another video. 

On September 20, 2012, His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje participated in the Peace for Humanity in the 21st Century conference held at the Vredespaleis (Peace Palace) in Den Haag.

Today’s inaugural conference, held on the occasion of the establishment of the Dutch branch of the University for Peace (UPEACE) in Den Haag, focused on education and research in three interdisciplinary areas: Peace and Conflict Studies, Water and Peace, and Urban Peace and Security.  Keynote speakers during today’s event included the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Ruud Lubbers, and the Minister of European Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Ben Knapen, to name a few.

Source: Upeace.nl

On Thursday, September 20, 2012, Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands officially opened the Vrouw Moeder Kind-Centrum (VMK Center) at the Maxima Medisch Centrum (Maxima Medical Center) in Veldhoven.

According to MedicalFacts.nl, the new center (rough translation):

“… has a new approach to the treatment of mother and child. Both are kept together after birth. The newborn child and mother are nursed together if medically possible. Both as a premature baby in high intensive care, as when the mother is ill or recovering from childbirth

Scientific studies show that it is better for the development of the child and the recovery of the mother after birth if both are close together.  At the new VMK-center, everything is geared to patient.

‘The premise is that mother and child unit and therefore should be treated as a unit,” says Pediatrician-Neonatologist and and medical head of the center, Dr. Thilo Mohns. ‘Is it medically, then keep mother and child together 24 hours a day.  Previously, the patient adapt to the rules of the hospital. Now it is determined by the patient. We have everything reversed. We see what is possible and let as many patients decide. For example, what time they want to get up, what they want to eat or when allowed to come visit. It is up to the patient.’ “