Dutch Queen, Swedish King and Queen Visit Groningen

April 23rd, 2009 By: Michael van der Galien | Tags: ,
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Queen Beatrix, King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia visit Groningen. Photo: Toon Heesakkers. Used with permission.

Queen Beatrix, King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia. Photo: Toon Heesakkers.

Today was a big day in the city where I study American Studies and Languages and Cultures of the Middle East, Groningen: Dutch Queen Beatrix and Swedish King Carl XVI and his wife Queen Silvia came over for a visit to the city’s (and mine) university.

Before I went to class I had no idea the three monarchs would go to the RuG (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen) as well. So when I walked to the academy building, I was surprised to see I-Don’t-Know-How-Many police, high security vans, and a big but luxurious bus. I walked up to one of the policemen standing in front of me and asked him “what’s the matter?” “The Queen and the King and Queen of Sweden are here,” he said. “They’re at the university now.”

Being as curious as I am, I quickly walked to the beautiful university building and joined the ranks of fellow patriotic students waiting to see a glimpse of our queen.

So I waited. And waited. And waited. Speaking to other students I quickly learned the three would leave “any moment now.” That would be a tremendous opportunity for some high quality (iPhone, thank you very much) photos, of course so I continued waiting as well.

Until I realized that class had already begun. I ran to the classroom, apologized for being late, and thought to myself “hopefully someone took photos.”

And yes, my prayers were answered: a classmate, Toon Heesakkers said he had made some great ones. “Could you send them to me,” I asked? “I’d like to publish them online.” “Of course, no problem,” he said, “I’ll email them to you.”

After class, I took the train back home and, sure enough, when I opened my inbox I had received two magnificent photos. Here they are:

Queen Beatrix, King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia visit Groningen. Photo: Toon Heesakkers. Used with permission.

Queen Beatrix, King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia visit Groningen. Photo: Toon Heesakkers. Used with permission.

King Carl, Queen Silvia and Queen Beatrix met with Scandinavian Studies students

King Carl, Queen Silvia and Queen Beatrix met with Scandinavian Studies students

I have to admit that even a convinced Republican like myself is proud when the queen of his country visits his university-city.

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