Contrast In Two Reigning Queens

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28552, 3 April 1958, Page 2

Contrast In Two Reigning Queens

\By MOLLIE McGEE]

LONDON. I Atlas, burdened with the blue globe of the world, never looked down from his white, marble niche in the Amsterdam Palace on a more splendid scene. Not since Louis Bonaparte made the great Town Hall his residence, had white marble pillars framed such profusions of jewels, gorgeous silks and brocades, uniforms and evening dress. Not since Napoleon lost Waterloo has a banquet been held with such formal dignity for such important guests, as the State dinner held at Amsterdam Palace during Queen Elizabeth's recent visit to Holland.

Seated together in the middle of the long flower-decked table, their tiaras, necklaces and glittering orders shimmering under light of immense chandeliers, the two women provided a moment of history and tremendous contrast. Reserved, fair Elizabeth of England is the traditionalist: forthright, majestic Juliana of Holland is the progressive. Link in Long Chain

A complete contrast as personalities. the two Queens can use the royal greeting “cousin.” literally. for they share an ancestor, William TV of Orange Nassau (Queen EPzabeth’s grandmother, the late Queen Mary, was descended from his daughter; Queen Juliana is descended from his son.) They form the last link in long chains of glittering pageantry leading back into history. though their duties deal with today. Once a year, in September. Queen Juliana drives in a golden coach along the tree-lined Lange Voorhout to open her Parliament at The Hague. Once a year, in November, Queen Elizabeth drives in.her golden coach along the tree-bordered Mall to open her Parliament at Westminster, hut daily she works through red disnatch box»s of documents sent fyom her Ministers at her mansized desk s-t in a bay window, overlooking her Palace gardens, in her q'*ict ore” and sittingjroom Across the Eng’ish Chaninel. Queen Juliana si”ns her pap- ' ers in h«r back-lined library Devoted Mothers i They both married impecunious | young royalties, ’hey are both idevoted mothers. There similarity ends. Their backgrounds are entirely different, as was their education. and their outlook and the (manner in which they fulfil their obligations. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary of Britain and Dominions beyond the Seas, aged 31. disciplined and gracious, follows a well-estab-lished routine embellished with, pageantry, directed bv : protocol She is shielded by members of ancient courtier families, like (Lord Salisbury of the Cecils .who advise on policy and prestige. But she has an inner determination which becomes apparent if anyone tries to interfere in what he considers her responsibilities. or. behaves in anyway reflecting on her dignity as a Q"een Queen Elizabeth stands flrmlv erect no matter how long the ceremony. Not a moment late not a hair out of place. Her dresses are weighted, her hats have specially arranged devices to hold them against the wind She is a Queen expected to look and act her part. In Tradition Concessions to modern times are made only along approved lines at the English court. It is not only the English who resent any change but Commonwealth subjects who look to the motherland to carry on ancient traditions When the last presentation for debutantes was held recently an American Democratic paper printed regrets, with a feeling passage about this being part of an "ordered, stately and majestic cavalcade of Royal life, which the British people look upon with so much personal pride.” But the British knew presentations of debutantes at Court had become commercialised. There will be no more. Young aristocratic women of leisure have vanished in England as elsewhere. There are such adjustments in Court procedure, but care is taken that dignity and the gap between the throne and people remain. In Holland Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina of Holland, aged 48 has no group of powerful courtiers to advise her. Her mother, the former Queen, is old. devoting her time to prayer, painting and study. Wise but aged Dr. Beelaer van Blokland, VicePresident of her Council who gave her grandfatherly advice is dead: his successor holds strict Calvinistic views that conflict

with her greater tolerance. The former Grand-Mistress of the Court, Countess von Heeckeren. in her eighties, accepted her position tentatively for a few years, but resigned over the Greta Hoffmans conflict, when the Queens faith healer confidante went out of favour. Queen Juliana is turning for advice to younger, more enterprising leaders, among them Jcnkheer De Ranitz, Burgomaster of Utrecht, who is of her generation and in touch with problems and feelings of her countrymen. Immersed in social movements. she pays little attention to appearances. She goes to a small house in Southern Holland for her clothes which are simple and ordinary, but her regal carriage makes her an outstanding figure on State occasions. Strong-Minded The Queen of the Netherlands is strong-minded. There was her refusal to sign the death warrant of a Nazi condemned by Court. She remained firm. Ministers anxious to protect her’ from criticism took the blame. There were, however, repercussions in other directions. When it was suggested in England that the Queen Mother or Princess Margaret be asked to officiate as Governors-General in one or other of the Commonwealth countries, the first excuse made for their not accepting, by Palace officials, has been: “They would have to sign death warrants.” (To Be Continued)