http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3181514.stm

Dutch Prince Johan Friso has effectively renounced his right of succession to the throne, after the government refused to support his forthcoming marriage.
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said he would not seek parliament's permission for the marriage because the couple had given misleading information about the bride's relationship with a dead gangster.

I love the Royal intrigue of Europe - it seems so much more refined than our politico's

That's because our political families, with the possible exception of the Kennedys, aren't really our royalists. You're thinking of Hollywood celebrities.

Europens politics? Refined? You must be joking. Every session of any European parliament is liable to break into a brawl at any moment. I WISH that would happen over here

Today @ 01:23 AM post located here
LutheranSage:

Europens politics? Refined? You must be joking. Every session of any European parliament is liable to break into a brawl at any moment. I WISH that would happen over here

I am not aware of any of the Royals attending the sessions of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

How about the King of Norway who during World War 2 wore the Star of David as an example of what Bob meant as a sample of "refined" politics? or Henry de France, Comte de Paris, who lived in exile in Belgium and joined the French Foreign Legion for the sole purpose of fighting for France?

Of course I can only be bius.....I am still a monarchist.

"Europens politics? Refined? You must be joking. Every session of any European parliament is liable to break into a brawl at any moment. I WISH that would happen over here"

I contrasted the European Royals to US politicians and haven't seen a good fight amongst the Royals since the 100 Year War.

Rahab gives good examples of the elegance of the Royals. I had more in mind the "scandals" of divorce, topless bathing, DUI, experimental drug use, etc. and the way those incidents are handled by the press

Europens politics? Refined? You must be joking. Every session of any European parliament is liable to break into a brawl at any moment. I WISH that would happen over here

Yeah....I wish, dutch politicians are so boring!!!!!

By the way the woman had an affair with a criminal when she was about 18 yo.....I mean really...

See, we are not that broadminded in Holland. Stupid. The woman made a "mistake" 12 years ago (maybe 13 )....What is wrong with us anyway....what a narrowminded nation are we becoming!!!

Today @ 09:14 AM post located here
Queen:



Yeah....I wish, dutch politicians are so boring!!!!!

By the way the woman had an affair with a criminal when she was about 18 yo.....I mean really...

See, we are not that broadminded in Holland. Stupid. The woman made a "mistake" 12 years ago (maybe 13 )....What is wrong with us anyway....what a narrowminded nation are we becoming!!!

I know Queen.....and the Royals in your country as well as other constitutional monarchies live under constant scrutiny. Any of their mistakes becomes a lifelong print on their reputation.

Yeah....you're absolutely right!!!!! But you should hear some of the reactions in the street......Bleh!!!!

Today @ 02:13 PM post located here
Queen:

Yeah....you're absolutely right!!!!! But you should hear some of the reactions in the street......Bleh!!!!

It is that need for "sensationalism" we have. But you see when a country deals with misery, poverty, war, people's minds dwell on survival rather than gossip and tabloids.