Máxima should not be allowed to call herself queen.
Some Dutch academics are adamant. Prime Minister Mark Rutte made a big mistake when he said shortly after the announcement of the abdication of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands that the new King’s spouse would be ‘queen’. Not in line with the constitution, confusing and ill timed are only some of the reproaches made to the Dutch PM. All nonsense, others said in a reaction Friday.
Dutch law does not know a queen. There is only a King, even
if the king is a woman. So queen Beatrix acts – according to the constitution –
as King of the Netherlands. There is a provision that the spouse of a King or
reigning queen may be given the title of ‘Princess or Prince of the
Netherlands’.
Máxima is already that, but following ancient tradition and precedent she will be called ‘queen’ after her husband Willem-Alexander ascends to the throne on April 30, 2013. “There is no provision in the law, and none is needed”, the Prime Minister reacted Friday. He echoed an earlier statement of his government – from 2011 when it was said that common practice would be followed.
There is little chance of confusion others retorted. Just because the Netherlands only has had a (reigning) queen for the past 123 years, it won’t mean abroad governments will not know how to deal when a King and a Queen present themselves. King and queen after all is a much more common occurrence.
Most political parties agree. Máxima can be queen. © RB
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