http://austriantimes.at/news/General_News/2012-02-21/39641/Dutch_Prince%27s_avalanche_companion_to_be_questioned_by_police
There have been no further official updates from the Palace concerning Prince Johan Friso's condition. He ceased to be a dynast when he chose not to ask for permission to marry Mabel Wisse Smits. Prince Johan Friso, the second of three sons of Queen Beatrix, is a member of the Royal Family, but not of the Royal House. His daughters have no dynastic rights.
I am surprised that the family has remained in Lech and not check into a hotel in Innsbruck. If the roads are good, Lech is about 90 minutes away by car. The Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima and their three daughters have been enjoying the skiing while Prince Johan Friso lies in an induced coma.
Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien and their children are also in Lech, as are Prince Friso and Princess Mabel's two daughters, Countess Luana and Countess Zaria.
Some might say that the children's routine should be maintained as the visit to Lech has been the traditional winter break for the Dutch royal family since the 1960s. But in view of the Prince Friso's condition, perhaps the other family members should put away their skis.
If Prince Johan Friso's condition is critical, it would make sense for Princess Mabel and her family to leave Lech, and check into a nice Innsbruck hotel.
i can see both sides as to what the family should be doing. personally, i think because the kids are SO young, they need not only normalcy but also distraction. if they stopped skiing, they'd be sitting in a hotel or hospital all day, and his daughters aren't old enough to want to spend that time bedside. if he's about to die, you bring the kids in, and of course you allow them visits, but i don't think you sit there all the time, and sitting in a hotel won't help either. as for the adults, someone has to be with the kids. at first i though the crown prince couple should've stopped skiing, but if their 3 girls can play with their 2 cousins, that would be wonderful distraction for them.
ReplyDeletein any case it's a horrible situation with no easy answers. just goes to show that, underneath it all, royals are human too.
Did Constantijn seek permission to marry Laurentian? I notice their children have countly titles instead of princely ones.
ReplyDeleteJohn, Yes, Constantijn's marriage was approved. When Willem-Alexander comes to the throne, his first cousins (the sons of Margriet) cease to be dynasts.) Thus, when Amalia succeeds her father, her first cousins (the children of Constantijn) cease to be in line to the throne.
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