Attached Link: http://www.bndestem.nl/CDA/regioportal/0,2078,6832,00.html

As you probably know by know I live in that small, far away country with only 16 million people, called Holland. Our crown-prince, Willem-Alexander married today in Amsterdam with his beautiful and so incredibly charming Argentinian (now) wife, Maxima Zorreguieta. I could mention all the beauty of the decorations, the many royal guests and the impressive ammount of significant world leaders, like Mandela, I could mention the thousands of people cheering at/for them....sharing the joy and excitment of the new couple, but the most amazing thing was that just those two people, aside of all the impressive things that surrounded them, just touched us all only with their own emotions. The most difficult thing must be to describe in words how they both reacted to certain moments in both ceremonies today, but while thinking of the many things this young woman with such a promissing career had to give up to be able to become the wife of our crown-prince - becoming our King's Queen in a shorter-than-we-realize period of time. Perhaps 10 years from now, but it might as well be in a few months from now, with our current Queen wanting to spend more time with her ill husband. Her parent, as opposed to her brother and sisters, weren't attending her wedding, since many people objected to him ignoring his own past as minister of the terrible Videl regime in the 70's, which must have been the greatest dissapointment for her. So, since everyone of us, 16 million people, realized the huge sacrifice she made, emotions reached the top when during the 'wedding mass' in church, a brilliant musician played the so beautiful Argentinan tango from Astor Piazzolla, called 'Adios Nonino'(which means 'Goodbye little daddy') tears rolled down her cheeks.....and she broke the hearts of all those people watching her on tv, and outside the church. After what I heard on tv today and this evening, I think set the record for most cyring men (and women). It was just so powerfull and heartbraking that only the coldest of people could have kept their eyes dry. I've seen a lot of things on tv and in person, but by far this has been the most powerful and emotional and beautiful thing I've seen sofar. Eventhough I woke up very early to see it from the start, I didn't expect to get so touched like this. Nor did the people I've seen on tv, and that I've talked to sofar. Really amazing. And yes, her dress was a work of art too...designed by friend, the famous Valentino. Just look at the photo....amazing. Well, I can recommend everyone who likes music in general, to download the song somewhere (or any Piazzolla song or tango in general). And have a look at the link I included with many wonderful photos.

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Just look at how they designed the bridemaid's dresses...

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Same as above.....let's say a royal reprise :) The dress, and.....

After Church they received a royal honour guard by the Royal Navy, the division when Willem-Alexander went into the army. (His rank is Captain for those interested)

When our crown-price said 'Yes' in church, they were able to hear the crown cheer outside. When they went outside, they receive an amazing ovation from the masses. They then made a 3km tour to wave at the crowds in Amsterdam, while sitting in the Queen's Golden cariagge.

Our Queen uses it only on the day she presents the cabinet's annual plans on the first tuesday of September. It's a small piece of our history....really unique. When they arrived back at the Palace (it's situated next to the church), they went back outside on the balcony to wave at the crowds who all gathered at the Dam, the large square infront of the palace, where they'd kiss eachother for the first time in public...seriously, the first time ever in public. They showed footage of other royal weddings, and the kisses on the balconies....they were all very brief and very sort of restricted in a way. Well, they came outside, the crowd cheered...they kissed, and they kissed and they kissed, and the crowd just cheered louder and louder....and they waved, and kissed, and kissed....I think they must have kissed like 8 or 10 times in a proper manner if you get the idea :)

And they kissed... ;)

The crowds were big and impressive...especially when they showed photos taken from behing the couple, looking at the crowds. Amazing.

After almost a week of unofficial and four day of official festivities, they left for their honeymoon at the beginning of the evening. Nobody knows where to, not even our new Princes Maxima. This last picture shows them at a soccer arena on friday, where they held a swining music and entertainment show, to celebrate today's wedding. More than 50,000 people gathered at Ajax' stadium, where this photo was taken at the end of the show...where they received a gift from all the citizens - their own fund, to support good causes....things to their own liking.

Thanks Rork. What a beautiful story. I read it, then called my wife over, and read your words to her (I only had to stop a couple of times). The pictures are beautiful. Everything looks quite royal, except their faces - their faces just look like two young folks, very much in love. Congratulations on this great day for your people. Long live Willam and Maxima! Joe

Well, since this is a photography forum, I think this is a really nice photo when you're working under pressure as a photographer. Anyway, since he's a member of the International Olympic Commitee and a sports fan in general, they think they will both turn up at the special events at the Olympics next week. So better look out for these two people. :) Just heard that more than 50 million people have seen at least something of this wedding on tv in the world. Looking back at this long and very impressive day I think it's not too much to say that most of us changed a bit after being enchanted (again) by our Princess. Her charm, pride and respect to just every single person on this planet just makes us try a bit harder in being a better person ourselves......yes, that's a good way to sum up the emotions and thoughts during this day, for us all. I'm glad to see that there are still people who refuse to be affected by the high society's way of dealing with people, and isn't at all scared to show herself to the world - not needing to put on any kind of 'mask' for the outside world, unlike so many other royalties. A very special occasion and, without disrespecting anyone who fell prey to the missery and violence in the world, the most impressive and emotional thing I've ever seen in my life...both on tv and in person. Bart PS A shame my aristocratic heritage wasn't enough to get invited this time - but no wonder, only enough room for their own personal friends, relatives and the highest royals of the world :)

Finder, thanks very much :) And yes, you are very right...they are just normal people, who don't feel to be anything more than anyone else. They're friendly to everyone, without an exception. I don't know anyone else in those 'areas' that thanks personell for holding the door open or helping them with something else. Very normal people...and that's a good thing for sure =)

Great photos, thanks for taking the time to share them! I've got to admit, although British, I am not exactly in favour of royalty....they say that they bring tourism to the country...but if we 'lost' them tomorrow, we'd still have the heritage, and the ridiculous amounts that we spend on them each year could help with so many things - even just something as simple as dealing with homelessness on a national scale.....I'm sure a good country to be in would be more of a magnet any day. Anyways, sorry for the rant, didn't want to put any sort sort of dampner on the thread!!! (",)

You English Pigdog you!

I had the great fortune to wake up at 3 this morning!!! I never do that.. So I got up, put the morning coffee on, - and tuned in to the Norwegian Official Broadcasting station online. They sent the wedding directly, - over the net! :) I did the same when Our Crown prince got married last year. It feels very special to be here, - and be able to watch such powerful moments for the couple, for their relatives, and for the Dutch people. In fact it was poerful for me. :) The Norwegian papers are full of wedding pictures too. And most likely the majority of the Norwegian people were glued to the TV screens watching. And yes.. the Tango was breath-taking :) Thank you for sharing the pictures, Here is one from the largest Norwegian paper, Aftenposten: and if you'd like to see a series of pictures from the same paper, - you can find them here. The subtitles are in Norwegian, - but most of the pictures tells their own tale :) Britt

Thanks for sharing Bart....these are wonderful photographs, and a great event for your country.

They look so young and so happy!...and there is nothing wrong with crying, the happy or sad type! Thanks for sharing these photos...normally I find wedding photo's a bit boring, but these are just so joyous!

Attached Link: http://portal.omroep.nl/?nav=scuyCsHEhHsBqVxP

Oh wow, they put video streams of rather high quality online of all seperate parts of the whole day. If your connection is able to play it, I can reccomend the 'Real breedband' type (Real Player broadband). If you like spectacular camera work, have a look at 'Kerkelijk Huwelijk part 2'.....which is the 2nd part of the religious part of the wedding. The first bit show a camera from straight above the couple, high on the roof....very special stuff. And for the most beautiful part, just watch the bit from the 13'th minute. When the amazing Piazzolla song is being played, which choir and all...live. I was very impressed by how good the sound is for such a special occasion. Amazing.

Oh Rork, these are so beautiful and heart-warming, thank you so much for sharing! It's so wonderful to see such unabashed love between two people, the shine in their eyes tells the whole story - long may they live and love! :-)