A Royal Family At Misrule?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 142, 18 June 1938, Page 5 (Supplement)

A Royal Family At Misrule?

For Women

A STONISHMENT -at reports *!*[ Concerning himsifelf apd Queen Wilhelmina was expr<fesed by Prince Bernhard of Holland a few weeks ago at Taormina, oicily, where he was staying under the name of Count Sternberg, with his brother Prince Aschwin. Prince Bernhard denied that there was any difference of opinion between himself and Queen' Wilhelmina. The Hague there were signs that the clash between the older and younger generation of the Dutch Roval ramify was increasing. When Prince Bernhard rushed off to ltalv with his brother Aschwin. it was whispered in Court circles that he went off in a huff. Actually, Italy has always appealed to that romantic young Prince, and J rmeess Juliana shares his liking. riiey had planned to spend part of the honeymoon in Venice—but the embarrassing publicity given their movements caused them to choose a lessfrequented resort in Poland. Then they made plans to go to ltalv at a later date. It was a pleasure tlie'v looked forward to as soon as the expected baby had made its arrival; and the fact that Prince Bernhard needed a recuperative holiday after his accident quite as much as the young mother seemed to provide a capital excuse for a "second honeymoon." Princess Juliana loves her babv dearly; but she is far too modern to allow herself to be unduly handicapped by domestic ties. She has the example of many other exalted royal mothers to quote for leaving her infant in the hands of excellent nurses while giving her husband the undivided attention he might expect at such a time. When Queen Wilhelmina heard of this plan, however, all her old-established prejudices rose in rebellion. It should not be said, she declared, that a Dutch royal mother went craddiii" off and left her baby. * And, after a good deal of arguing back and forth, Prince Bernhard packed his bags, collected his brother, and inarched out! There has been sign of strain for some little time between the Prince and his mother-in-law." Actually, it is whispered, Queen Wilhelmina would not have chosen this particular son-in-law if she could have had her way. ' But for once, Princess Juliana, exemplary daughter though she is, decided to

please herself, and when all arguments looked like leading nowhere, she brought him home one day when a party was in progress and kissed him soundly before the assembled court! After this, of course, no retreat was possible, and Queen Wilhelmina reluc-

tantly had to give her consent to the engagement. Prince Bernhard. with his gay, winning manners and undeniable charm, soon won the heart of the older lady; but another difficulty arose.

The Queen took it for granted that her presence was as welcome to the young couple as their company was to her. The accident to the Prince, followed by Princess Juliana's preparations for her confinement, provided ample excuse for nursing ardour and a solicitous fussing, but there inevitably came a time when "too much mother-in-law" produced a slight strain on the Soestdvk household—and what can one say when one's mother-in-law happens to be a Queen ? The clash is emphasised by the fact that the tastes of the Queen and her young people are so totally dissimilar. The Queen is extremely devout, and ;i slave to the proprieties* Prince Bernhard, who, above all things, is no hypocrite, believes in giving natural vent to his lively spirit, and considers it no irreverence to play a game of tennis, sail a boat or even hear a concert on the Sabbath. His idea of a pleasant life is totally opposed to the stiff etiquette which has held good at the Dutch Royal Court ever since Queen Wilhelmina came to the throne at the age of 12 . . so laden with responsibilities from childhood that it is said she never knew what it was to be young. Princess Juliana, although outwardly a dutiful daughter, is also a dutiful wife, and this is all the easier because lit r tastes, too, are modern and opposed to unnecessary restrictions. Hence there have developed since her marriage several signs of rebellion. ° Dutch people are taking sides. The young folk nearly all agree with the Prince and Princess. Those who know their history shake their heads and sigh—it is by no means uncommon for rebellion to manifest itself in the younger branch of the House of Orange. It is recalled that the last king quarrelled with his heir, who retired to France and died there without becoming reconciled with his father—a fact which caused tile king to mariv again, and brought Queen Wilhelmina to the throne. Jt is not considered likely that any such drastic development will happen in the present instance; but the Queen is not happy, and there are many sighs at Soestdvk. Only the baby, Princess Beatrix, laughs!