The Netherlands' beloved Princess Juliana died Saturday of pneumonia. She was 94. ...She was not without controversy in her life and some questionable associations (personal, not political) - but she always had class in the best sense of the term.
A monarch with self-effacing manners, she was a popular figure during her 32-year reign, from 1948 to 1980, and is credited with nudging her country's governments toward progressive social policies. ...
While she lived in Ottawa, Juliana had an unpretentious lifestyle. She did her own shopping, lined up with others at movie theatres and offered to baby-sit a neighbour's children. Back in her native country, she was known for riding her bicycle in public, dressing like a commoner, sending her children to public schools and visiting hospitals, schools and disaster areas. ...
In 1980, citing her age, the 71-year-old sovereign abdicated in favour of Princess Beatrix. She declined the title of queen mother, and chose to be called princess.
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
No particular reason, just felt like mentioning it
From the Toronto Globe & Mail for Sunday.
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