Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina van Oranje-Nassau was born on april 30 1909 at The Hague as the daughter of Queen Wilhelmina.
She grew up as a shy and bright young girl, who was homescholed. She was taught dedication to her tasks and openness towards the people around her and the developments in society. She would say that her parents talked about matters that many parents would not talk about.
Later she studied at Leiden University.
She married Bernhard zur Lippe Biesterfeld at januari 7 1937 and was happy with the brith of her 4 children: Beatrix (1938), Irene (1939), Margriet (1943) and Marijke (1947, who later changed her name in Christina).
The name of Irene was a conscious choice with the threat of war.
May 12 she went with the two girls to England. After Rotterdam was bombarderd Queen Wilhelmina left too. Princess Juliana was send to Canada with the children, to keep them safe. There princess Margriet was born.
She kept performing her duties. Inspiring the soldiers that got their education in Canada, and being part of the Red Cross.
The return to The Netherlands was a pleasant event, even though there was hunger, great poverty and many parts of the country needed to be rebuilt.
Her marriage was not all happiness. She had to deal with serious problems that even led her to consider giving up the throne. But she didn't. She found a new equilibrium and when she got older it was heartwarming to see her and her husband and the bond between them.
Juliana had a great interest in politics.
She became regent during the years 1947 en 1948 (because her mother suffered health problems) and as such she had for the first time part in the formation of the government.
At september 4 1948 Queen Wilhelmina announced herself that her daughter would be the new Queen.
Two days later she was inaugurated. Her voice sounded exactly as the voice of Queen Beatrix now.
Later she dealt with many more issues considering the government and she was valued for her eagerness to gain information, skills to get that information and the powerful way in which she motivated those involved to solve the problems.
Many politicians have stories to tell about how intelligent she was, but also how she commented on meetings that lasted too long, worrying that a lack of sleep might interfere with reasonability.
She also took a central position during the cold war, when she spoke to the American Congress asking for consideration and stressing that only a peacefull attitude and true understanding between people is of benefit for world peace.
She was very beloved, because of her spontaneity, her interest in everything she found on her way and because she didn't like protocol.
She had her own way of dealing with photographers: posing when requested, but commenting often about not wanting to be pictured with red eyes or photographed when she had a single moment of privacy.
She loved to walk beside the red carpet!
The girls were raised as much as possible as normal children. They went to school by bike and experienced a lot of freedom.
The distance between the Royal House and the people was diminished. Not at least by the yearly celebration of her birthday at the palace (Paleis Soestdijk), where she received in person the many congratulations, surrounded by her children and later her grandchildren. The informal parade was valued by all: those who were present and those who watched TV.
She didn't want to be the queen in the palace, but as a woman, a companion, a listening ear.
People who met her liked her. Not only in The Netherlands, but also abroad.
Among royalty she had many friends, but also among others.
Many times she went skying, spending her time with the people in Lech, who certainly will miss her as much as we do.
She gave her love to everyone she met, with special care for the ill, the homeless and the lonely.
She was known as the Queen on the bicycle and as the mother of all.
The way she was interested in her people moved many and with regret we saw on TV that she told the nation it was time to hand the title over to her daughter Beatrix at april 30, 1980. It was her 71st birthday.
She'd waited till then to enable her daughter and her husband to have a family and raise the children.
She didn't want to be called Queen Mother, because it made her feel old, and she choose to be called Princess. But many kept calling her Queen.
She was seen less and less in public. She became fragile, both of body and mind, but kept experiencing pleasure in her riding tours outside the palace and seeing Queen Beatrix at important events.
The last years she wasn't seen in public anymore, but she received her children and grandchildren at the palace, and also enjoyed her greatgrandchildren.
She died in the presence of her husband and 3 of her daughters during her sleep in the early morning (5.50 hours) of march 20 2004.
Even thought everybody knew her health was deteriorated because of old age and pneumonia, her death came as a shock.
We will remember her as a warm mother of the nation.
Her way of dealing with life and the problems of live, with politics and other problems should be an inspiration for those who govern our country at this moment and the times to come.
bravenet.com
