Queen Beatrix (Netherlands)

[mmmkrimpets]

Maybe I'm wrong but I always got the feeling Charles could care less about being King

I don't think you're wrong. I got the sense he cared more awhile ago, but as time has gone on the feeling has waned. Not that he doesn't want it, but I think he thought he'd be king by now and is puttering around until it's his turn. He's already at what the U.S. considers retirement age. Unless there is a surprise abdication at the rate the queen is going, Charles will be king for maybe a decade before Wills takes over.

[Deleted]

William seems even less into getting that job than Charles. Will be very interesting what happens to British monarchy once the Queen dies.

Really liked yesterday's festivities, the Dutch Royal are among my favourites and I think Beatrix deserves simply being a grandma now and getting to her poor son in London anytime she wants to. I can't imagne what she and the family must be going through since his's accident, it's a terrible situation.

Maxima and the daughters are adorable.

[Augustus]

Charles seems to be quite content with his personal projects & charities. And let's face it, once he becomes King, he'll have to give up quite a lot of that.

I thought it was quite touching to see the warm bond between mother and son, and Maxima really had to fight the urge to give a big wide smile when they were on their way to the investiture. Not to mention her dress was gorgeous.

[ladyjane]

Queen Elizabeth has made it very plain in the past that she does not believe in abdication. She believes the job is God-given and for life. I doubt Charles is terribly surprised that he isn't King yet. His grandmother lived to over 100, so it can't be surprising that his mother is also long-lived.

[Carolinian]

Dutch Prince Friso dies after year in coma

[NappingAthena]

Aug 12, 2013 10:34:39 GMT -4 Carolinian said:

Dutch Prince Friso dies after year in coma

Yesterday was his wife's birthday too. I feel so bad for her and their daughters.

[Sunnyhorse]

I'm sad on behalf of his wife, children, and mother, but on the other hand I'm glad his ordeal is over.

[Augustus]

I feel really bad for his 2 young daughters, Mabel and the rest of the royal family.

To be frank, it was inevitable. The likelihood he'd wake up from his coma was very slim, considering the severe brain damage he sustained. Still, very sad, it was said he was the smartest of the three brothers, and he'd be the one to go to when it came to certain family affairs.

[bklynred]

I'm not familiar with this branch of royals, but is there a reason he was on life support for so long? Or was his state not vegetative? Just curious if there's a rule about handling life & death decisions like this.

[Witchie]

So sad.