For weeks, NU.nl followed the trail of the royal family in the Caribbean for Amalia’s introductory visit. It turned out to be quite difficult to follow the island experiences of the king, queen and crown princess.
Willem-Alexander, Máxima and Amalia chat with older islanders in a small park on the island of St. Eustatius. Around it are security guards (some in shirts, others disguised as tourists), police officers and many curious passers-by.
The conversations of the Oranjes look animated. No doubt there is talk of the island’s history, and perhaps the future kingship of Amalia will be discussed. But we don’t know for sure.
As a press you are not allowed to get too close and so you do not actually catch any of these conversations. This is also due to the acoustics: a strong wind blows on the island.
But also listening in indoors is not always possible, such as during a visit to a library in the center of St. Eustatius. We are indoors, so there is no disturbing ambient noise this time. But due to the enormous distance we have to keep, not even a flurry of conversation can be caught.
On the Queen’s lap
This trip to the Caribbean was the first time that NU.nl accompanied the royal family. We cannot compare this trip with how it goes during other state or work visits.
Other journalists, who have already completed more royal trips, say that the howling wind or the rushing sea of this trip are indeed big factors. “You almost have to sit on the Queen’s lap to understand it,” says royalty reporter Rick Evers. “And to send the Oranges (put on a microphone, ed.) Goes a bit far.”
The fast pace of the journey also ensures that the press does not get everything. All journalists, cameramen and photographers board a press bus in the morning, which takes the media from A to B. The schedule is tight: about ten activities are planned in one day, all in a different place.
Zo ziet een gemiddelde dag tijdens het Caribische bezoek eruit
- 8.00 uur: de persbus vertrekt. Bestemming: het vliegveld van Sint Maarten. Daar komen de Oranjes zo aan.
- 8.30 uur: Door security. De pers legt vast hoe Willem-Alexander, Máxima en Amalia uit het regeringsvliegtuig stappen en worden ontvangen.
- 10.15 uur: Vertrek persbus naar volgende locatie, de brandweerkazerne. Daar gaat Amalia meehelpen met een ambulancedemonstratie. Daarna weer naar een ander programmaonderdeel
- 12.40 uur: Vertrek naar het hotel. Tijd voor lunch en werk.
- 14.45 uur: Naar een centrum voor het bekijken van muurschilderingen en een culturele manifestatie.
- 18.00 uur: Einde van programma. Terug naar het hotel voor schrijven.
Hooking up halfway through program components
Sometimes the media has to get there before the king, queen and princess. At a photo opportunity, for example, so that the cameras can be properly adjusted and positioned. At other times, the press bus travels just behind the royal party. It also happens that as a journalist you join a program part halfway through. Then you have already missed half.
The only thing to do then is to talk to someone who has talked to Willem-Alexander, Máxima or Amalia for a while. Then you can still find out what they talked about. But that is of course not why you are traveling along: as the media you want to hear what is being said.
“Anyone who wants to follow the entire visit is at the mercy of the logistical challenges,” concludes Evers. Fortunately, there are also other moments where there is plenty to observe. In a handful of conversations we are so close to the Oranges that you can smell their perfume. And you can also read a lot from body language.
And occasionally letting your eyes wander to the surroundings is no punishment: sometimes in the Oranjewaan you forget for a moment that you are on a beautiful, sunny island. It will take some getting used to following the royals from the gray Netherlands again.
In response, the Government Information Service (RVD) informs NU.nl that it is indeed not always possible to have reporters listen in, for example due to ambient noise. Where possible, we try to make this go as smoothly as possible.
“In this way, the content of a visit is also better highlighted,” says the RVD. “Only if something is really being discussed that is personal to the interlocutors or is not allowed to come out for other reasons – for example because of security – we do not allow reporters in consultation with the receiving party.”
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