It has to do with dress code. This is an old-fashioned version. Normally the king would have been in uniform and wearing the large ribbon of either the Willemsorde or the order of the Dutch Lion. However in the 1980's they dropped the article from the constitution that made the monarch the head of the armed forces so now the monarch who officially is part of the Government cannot actively serve in the military so needs to wear formal daywear meaning a morning suit. With that the large ribbon of orders are not worn but only a buttonhole is used. The ladies still dress as if the men were in uniform so long dresses with a hat, gloves and the large ribbon of the highest Dutch order they have.
It's one of my personal pet hates. I think the men of the Royal House and court should wear white tie (all the courtiers from the stable department as well as the footmen next to the carriages all are in grand gala dress) with orders and the ladies in preferably black long gowns with orders and jewels opting for a tiara instead of hats but i don't think that will ever happen.
--Previous Message-- : : Morning dress is perfectly allright for the : occasion, but like you I don't understand : why the Queen wears the grand cordon of the : Dutch Lion, while the King, as the most : important person in the room, just uses a : buttonhole. : Besides that, I feel it a bit awkward that : the Queen shouts "long live the : King", together with all present.... : : : --Previous Message-- : I don't understand why the monarch is : dressed : in a simple morning suit while his concert : is dressed in orders and jewelry? : : Judging from the pictures one should think : that The Netherlands still have a reigning : queen... : : (this is no critique of QM - I think she is : a beautiful and wonderful queen) : : :
on September 21, 2016, 3:40 pm, in reply to "