On September 3, 2012, His Royal Highness Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands was at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. The prince was asked to give a speech during the “… opening of the academic school year for 2012-2013.”
Meanwhile in Brussels, Belgium, Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde took her children to their first day of school. Click here to watch a video. (in French)
On August 30, 2012, His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje attended the presentation of the musical entitled, Soldaat van Oranje, held at a former naval airbase in Valkenburg. The prince was accompanied by the Chief of Defence, General Tom Middendorp, as well as top commanders from the Royal Netherlands Navy, Army and Air Force.
According to RVD, Soldaat van Oranje, is based on the true story of Dutch resistance fighter, Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema. At the beginning of WWII Mr. Roelfzema:
“… escapes to England, after resistance actions in the Netherlands…From there he offers resistance by including radio equipment to the Netherlands to smuggle for reliable radio contact. He is also active as a pilot. At the end of the war he accompanies Queen Wilhelmina, in the position of adjutant, on her return to the Netherlands.”
For more information about Soldaat van Oranje please click here.
Source: RVD/HKH
On Thursday, August 30, 2012, His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje attended a national reception for European Space Agency astronaut and Dutch physician, Mr. André Kuipers, in Noordwjk.
According to RVD, Mr. Kuipers spent “… 193 days at the International Space Station, the longest space journey by a European astronaut… he recently returned on July 1, 2012…”
Today’s event was organized in collaboration with the “… municipality of Noordwijk, the ESTEC (the technical heart of the European Space Agency), the Netherlands Space Office, and the Dutch Aviation Group…” to name a few.
Click here to watch a video news report. (in Dutch)
On the evening of August 25, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands attended a concert in Amsterdam entitled, LIFE: A Journey Through Time.
The concert, held at the Concertgebouw, is a unique “… combination of nature photos by the Dutch photographer, Frans Lanting, with music accompanied by the American composer, Phillip Glass…” according to RVD.
The event was also held at the “… end of the Jubliee celebration of the 50th anniversary of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Dutch branch of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature.”
RVD also notes that the photos shown during the concert are a “… personal impression of Frans Lanting on the development life on Earth.” Furthermore, proceeds from tonight’s concert will benefit the “…protection of the Coral Triangle in South-East Asia. The coral reef is under severe pressured to overfishing, pollution and climate change.”
Source: RVD
On Friday, August 24, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was in Den Haag to attend the closing of the 6th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference (EAFS2012) held at the Haagse Hogeschool.
According to RVD, EAFS2012 brings together “… forensic scientists from around the world to meet, exchange knowledge and experiences around topical themes.” Participants attend various lectures, workshops, demonstrations and more.
On Monday, August 20, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam to attend the European Youth Orchestra (EYO) concert.
According to RVD, the EYO was founded in “… 1978 to promote cultural cooperation, unity and friendship among young European. The EYO offers young talented musicians the chance to work with famous conductors…”
This evening concert was conducted by Mr. Gianandrea Noseda with guest soloist, Mr. Garrick Ohlsson.
His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje was in Seattle, Washington on August 13-14, 2012 to attend the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge and Fair.
So what is Reinvent the Toilet Challenge and Fair? According to a press release via the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, organizers of the event, it is:
“…a competition in which scientists from 22 universities from around the world were asked to invent a waterless, hygienic toilet that is safe, and affordable for people in the developing world… the new toilet cannot be connected to a sewer, uses no water nor electricity… Eight universities will be awarded grants to ‘reinvent the toilet.’ “
Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje was invited to the event “… in his role as President of the Advisory Board for Water and Sanitation by the Secretary General of the United Nations.” During the two-day fair, the prince, along with Mr. Gates and other officials viewed various toilets, spoke with the inventors and gave speeches.
A commercial for Reinvent the Toilet.
The Royal Correspondent 