Clicking cameras and royal family fans wanting to catch a glimpse: the visit of the royal family to Sint Maarten does not pass quietly. Most activities are set up on a large scale and so the press is far removed from the king, but there is room for rest on Monday. Willem-Alexander, Máxima and Amalia visited the director of a hospital in Sint Maarten, and NU.nl is listening closely.
Most of the longer conversations the king has behind closed doors, but this Monday is different. On Sint Maarten, those walls are briefly broken during a visit to the SXM Medical Center. The medical center treats sick people and the organization manages hospital functions on surrounding islands.
Willem-Alexander, Máxima and Amalia speak in an intimate setting with the director and other employees. Just some local press, NU.nl and ANP are also present. What is striking: the king speaks a lot during this visit. He is clearly at ease, asks a lot of questions and is interested in the way things are going around the hospital.
And the king jokes a lot. If it is suggested by the employees that cooperation with the French part of Sint Maarten could be good, not only does State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen (Kingdom Relations and Digitization) contribute, but the king also responds immediately. Good idea, but of course the working language should not be changed to French.
Amalia’s good English
Máxima also occasionally asks a question and she writes down a lot. She does not say what the notes are for, but they may come in handy in her work.
Among other things, the Queen is committed to making financial services more accessible. Her minutes are closely monitored by Amalia, who sometimes reads what her mother writes down. The princess clearly takes an observing role during the conversation. She listens, and when she wants to ask a question, her parents are often just ahead of her.
A little later she seizes her chance and asks a question: the heir to the throne is curious whether the hospital also lends material to fellow hospitals. The question comes out in perfect English, but Amalia is also following an English-taught study at the University of Amsterdam.
Although she stays somewhat in the background in group conversations – especially compared to her curious father – Amalia knows how to make herself understood.
After lunch it is time for a lighter part of the program: Amalia and her parents take a walk along the Color Me SXM, a project with murals. The first day in Sint Maarten is concluded with another walk along the boulevard in the tourist district of Philipsburg.
Tourists and residents have caught wind of the royal visit and are hoping for a selfie with the Oranjes. It sometimes produces a chaotic scene when the audience tries to get a little too close. And especially with Princess Amalia – her name seems to be called the most often.
The royal family will be in the Caribbean part of the kingdom until Thursday 10 February. Amalia (19) gets acquainted with the islands during this visit. On Tuesday they will continue their visit to Sint Maarten, on Wednesday they will go to Sint Eustatius and the trip will be concluded with a trip to Saba. NU.nl is there and reports.
