Queen Beatrix on the last full day of her 33 year reign hosted a dinner at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, attended by members of her family, foreign and national dignitaries, and royalty from all corners of the world. Rembrandt's Nightwatch watched over the gathering in the recently reopened museum's Gallery of Honour, which was splendidly decked out.
Although the guests dressed up in royal style, the atmosphere was informal and the Crown Princes and Crown Princess did not get out of the bus in a particular order. They mingled and chatted, as friends and colleagues would.
Japan's Crown Princess Masako did not come to the dinner. Some suggested Queen Beatrix might have encouraged her to spend the evening with her parents, who live in the Netherlands. The queen is family oriented and knows how important a family get together is, especially when separated for so long and so far.
Masako was not the only one who went missing. Sheikha Moza of Qatar was not present at the dinner either. But that did not much to shorten the guest list, with Frederik and Mary of Denmark, Felipe and Letizia of Spain, Victoria and Daniel of Sweden, Naruhito, Philip and Mathilde of Belgium and Haakon and Mette-Marit of Norway, and Albert of Monaco. Princess Charlène could not make it. She is attending to charity work in South Africa.
Morocco was represented by Princess Lalla Salma, wife of King Mohammed VI. On the red carpet she was followed by Prince Hassan and Princess Sarvath of Jordan, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and further distant Prince Albert, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and his wife Stéphanie.
The eldest and longest serving heir to (a) throne present was the Prince of Wales, who was accompanied by his wife Camilla. The Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn however has also already clocked 41 years since becoming heir.
© RoyalblogNL, Hans Jacobs
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