© Unofficial Royalty 2012
Prince Friso (1968-2013)
Queen Juliana (1909-2004)
Prince Bernhard (1911-2004)
Prince Claus (1926-2002)
Prince Friso (1968-2013)
photo: Wikipedia
Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau passed away on the morning of August 12, 2013, at Huis Ten Bosch in The Hague.
Prince Johan Friso Bernard Christiian David of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, was born September 25, 1968 in Utrecht, the second son of the future Queen Beatrix and Claus von Amsberg. In 2004, he married Mabel Wisse Smit. As the couple did not request the government’s approval, Friso lost his title as Prince of the Netherlands, retaining his title as Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau. The couple had two daughters, Luana (2005) and Zaria (2006).
In February 2012, Prince Friso was severely injured in an avalanche while on a skiing holiday in Lech, Austria with the royal family. It was a week later that details began to emerge regarding his condition. He had been buried for about 25 minutes, and the lack of oxygen had caused significant brain damage. He remained in a coma, and in March, he was taken to the Wellington Hospital in London where his wife and children live.
Later in 2012, it was reported that he was showing some signs of consciousness, however, he remained in a minimally conscious state. He was brought back to the Netherlands in July 2013 to be with his family, as he was no longer deemed to require hospital care. He was brought to Huis Ten Bosch, his mother’s residence, in The Hague. It was there, on the morning of August 12, 2013, that Prince Friso passed away.
He was survived by his wife, Princess Mabel and their daughters, as well his mother, Princess Beatrix, and two brothers, King Willem-Alexander and Prince Constantijn and their families.
A private funeral was held at the Stulpkerk in Lage Vurrsche, near Castle Drakensteijn where he had grown up, and he was buried in the church cemetery. A memorial service was later held, on November 2, 2013, at the Oude Kerk in Delft.
BBC: Dutch Prince Friso dies after year in coma
Queen Juliana (1909-2004)
Princess Juliana, former Queen of The Netherlands, died in her sleep on 20 March 2004 at Soestdijk Palace.
The coffin remained at Soestdijk Palace for several days before being taken to Noordeinde Palace in The Hague where she lay in state until the day of the funeral. On 30 March, a full ceremonial procession left Noordeinde Palace en route to the Nieuwe Kirk in Delft, where the former monarch was interred in the Royal Vault.
At Juliana’s specific wish, court mourning was observed by the Royal House through the day following the funeral, and no members of the Royal House undertook any public engagements until after Easter Sunday, 11 April.
Princess Juliana was born 30 April 1909 in The Hague. Her parents were Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Hendrik of The Netherlands. She married, 7 January 1937, to Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. The couple had 4 daughters – Beatrix, Irene, Margriet, and Christina. In 1948, Queen Wilhelmina abdicated and Juliana became Queen of the Netherlands. She followed tradition 32 years later and abdicated in favor of her daughter, the present Queen Beatrix.
Links:
New York Times: Princess Juliana, Former Dutch Monarch, Is Dead at 94
Telegraph: Obituary – Princess Juliana of the Netherlands
YouTube Video: Queen Juliana’s Funeral
Prince Bernhard (1911-2004)
Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands was the husband of the late Queen Juliana (1909-2004), former Queen of The Netherlands., and father of the current Queen Beatrix. Prince Bernhard passed away on 1 December 2004.
From the 6th of December until the day of the funeral, Prince Bernhard was lying in state at the Chapel Ardente at Noordeinde Palace. The public could visit the Palace to sign the book of condolence and to say their final goodbyes to the Prince. The Prince’s coffin was placed in the central hall of the ground floor of the Palace. The coffin was draped with the Dutch flag and a white carnation sat on top of the flag. The Prince’s personal flag and 14 decorations were displayed on three cushions.
On Saturday 11 December, the coffin of HRH Prince Bernhard was transported from Noordeinde Palace in The Hague to the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft on a gun carriage which was drawn by six Gelderland and Groningen horses from the Royal Stables in The Hague. The funeral took place at 12:30. The Prince was been interred in the Royal Vault at the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft.
Court mourning was observed by the Royal House until the day after the funeral. A period of family mourning was observed until Christmas. During this period regular activities were resumed, but no public engagements were undertaken by any member of the Royal House.
He was born Count Bernhard of Biesterfeld, in Germany, on 29 July 1911. His parents were Prince Bernhard of Lippe and Baroness Armgard von Sierstorpff-Cramm. At the age of 5, he was made His Serene Highness Prince of Lippe-Biesterfeld. He married the then Princess Juliana on 7 January 1937 in The Hague. At the time of the wedding, he was styled His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, Prince of Lippe-Biesterfeld. The couple had four daughters – Beatrix, Irene, Margriet, and Christina. When his wife became Queen in 1948, Bernhard was styled His Royal Highness The Prince of the Netherlands, as the consort of the Queen. Upon his wife’s abdication in 1980, his style reverted to His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, Prince of Lippe-Biesterfeld.
Links:
BBC: Obituary: Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands
The Telegraph: Obituary – HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands
BBC: In Pictures: Dutch prince’s funeral
YouTube Video: Prince Bernhard’s Funeral
Prince Claus (1926-2002)
Prince Claus of the Netherlands passed away at the AMC University Hospital in Amsterdam on 6 October 2002.
The funeral was held on October 15, 2002. The Prince’s coffin was taken in full ceremonial procession from Noordeinde Palace to the Nieuwe Kirk in Delft for the funeral and interment in the Royal Vault.
He was born Claus von Amsberg in Germany on 6 September 1926 to Claus von Amsberg and Frau Gosta von Amsberg, Baroness von dem Bussche-Haddenhausen. He married the then Princess Beatrix on 10 March 1966. At the time of the wedding, he was styled His Royal Highness Prince Claus of the Netherlands, Jonkheer van Amsberg. When his wife became Queen in 1980, he was styled His Royal Highness The Prince of the Netherlands as a prince consort of the Queen. Out of respect for his father-in-law, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, he never officially used this title. Despite his German background, he became well-loved by the Dutch people. Claus and Beatrix had three sons – Willem-Alexander, Friso, and Constantijn.
Links:
BBC: In Pictures: Prince Claus Remembered
New York Times: Claus von Amsberg, Popular Dutch Prince, Dies at 76
Telegraph: Obituary – HRH Prince Claus of the Netherlands
YouTube Video: Funeral of Prince Claus
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