Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Royal Guests and Relatives from around the world joined the Dutch Family for the Inauguration of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of The Netherlands at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam on this day 10 years ago, following the Abdication of Queen Beatrix.
The previous evening, the Royal Guests had attended Queen Beatrix’s Abdication Dinner at the Rijksmuseum while many also saw the Water Pageant during a cruise on the canals of Amsterdam following the Inauguration, with a Dinner at the Muziekbouw as well as a Brunch the following morning.
While Sovereigns do not usually attend Coronations of other Monarchs, the only exception was Prince Albert II of Monaco, who had joined the Swedish Crown Princess Couple while arriving at the Gala.
Also present at the two Consorts: Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar and Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco, who had worn her Wedding Gift Tiara for the Gala, and later attended the Brunch at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam the morning after the Inauguration.
The United Kingdom was represented by the Prince of Wales (wearing the Order of the Crown) and Duchess of Cornwall (in her 4-strand Pearl Choker and the Royal Victorian Order), with the Duchess wearing the Greville Tiara and Modern Diamond Earringsfor the Gala Dinner but the couple did not stay following the Inauguration Ceremony.
The next more senior Heirs were Crown Prince Frederik (in the Order of the Elephant) and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (wearing the Order of the Elephant), with the Crown Princess wearing her Wedding Tiara and Earringsfor the Gala and the Ruby Parure Earrings for the Water Pageant.
Spain was represented by the Prince (in the Order of Orange-Nassau) and Princess of Asturias (wearing the Order of Charles III), with the Princess wearing the Spanish Floral Tiara for the Gala.
Crown Princess Victoria (wearing the Order of the Seraphim) and Prince Daniel of Sweden (in the Order of the Seraphim) were also present, with the Crown Princess wearing the Napoleonic Amethyst Tiarafor the Gala.
Norway was represented by Crown Prince Haakon (in the Order of Orange-Nassau) and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway (wearing the Order of Orange-Nassau), with the Crown Princess in the Diamond Daisy Bandeau at the Gala and Queen Maud’s Aquamarine Brooch at the Pageant.
Crown Prince Philippe (in the Order of Orange-Nassau) and Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium (wearing her Diamond Fringe Earrings and the Order of Orange-Nassau) also attended the Inauguration, with the Crown Princess wearing the Laurel Wreath Tiara and Queen Fabiola’s Waterfall Brooch at the Gala and Queen Fabiola’s Tunisian Earrings at the Pageant.
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was represented by Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume (in the Order of Orange-Nassau) and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg (wearing the Order of Adolphe of Nassau), with the Hereditary Grand Duchess in the Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara and her Diamond Earrings at the Gala.
Crown Prince Naruhito (in the Order of the Crown) and Crown Princess Masako of Japan (wearing the Order of the Precious Crown) were also present, though only the Crown Prince attended the Gala, since this was the Crown Princess’ first foreign trip in years.
The Principality of Liechtenstein was represented by Hereditary Prince Alois (in the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein) and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein (wearing the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein), with the Hereditary Princess in the Habsburg Fringe Tiara at the Gala.
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (in the Order of the Royal House of Chakri) and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (wearing the Order of the Royal House of Chakri) represented Thailand, also attending the Gala Dinner but not the Water Pageant.
Crown Prince Billah (in the Order of the Crown) and Crown Princess Sarah of Brunei (wearing the Order of the Crown) also attended the Inauguration, with the Crown Princess wearing her Wedding Tiara at the Gala.
Jordan was represented by former Crown Prince Hassan (in the Order of Orange-Nassau) and Princess Sarvath of Jordan (wearing the Order of Orange-Nassau), with the Princess wearing her Floral Tiara at the Gala Dinner. The couple also attended the Water Pageant and Brunch at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam.