Princess Beatrix and the kindness of strangers

Two weeks after losing her second son, the former queen of the Netherlands is resuming her public life. Her official duties for this week include an appearance at a concert in central Amsterdam on August 28th.  But she was seen in public for the first time since the death of Prince Friso at another musical event where she accompanied her third son, Constantijn, and his wife, Laurentien, who were scheduled to attend.

 

Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands appeared in public for the first time since the death of her so, Friso, at a concert in the Portuguese synagogue in Amsterdam

Princess Beatrix was with the couple at a concert at the Portuguese synagogue in Amsterdam given by the International Mahler Orchestra at an event organized by the European Cultural Foundation. 

 

The princess wore mourning for her first public appearance since losing her second son

After the loss of a loved one sometimes the hardest thing to cope with is the sympathy of others who want to help share the sadness but whose comforting words bring back the tears so hard to keep away in those moments.  Princess Beatrix smiled gently through her whole public appearance and Constantijn and Laurentien were never far from her side as she negotiated the kindness of strangers for the first time since losing her son.

 

Prince Johan Friso of Orange-Nassau died on August 12th 2013, eighteen months after suffering brain damage in a skiing accident in Lech in Austria

The Dutch royal household has just announced some more public engagements over the coming month for the former queen as she comes to terms with life without her son.  And no doubt as time moves on, the condolences of her fellow citizens will help the princess as she grieves.