Royal Watch News
Queen Beatrix: Dutch headscarf row is 'nonsense'
Jan 12, 2012, 18:12 GMT
Amsterdam - Dutch Queen Beatrix on Thursday rejected as 'nonsense' right-wing criticism of her wearing a headscarf during a trip to Abu Dhabi, Dutch public radio NOS reported.
The anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV) led by Geert Wilders had said the queen's decision 'legitimizes the oppression of women' and was 'a sad spectacle' during parliamentary questions.
Queen Beatrix and Princess Maxima both wore headscarves during mosque visits in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and in Oman on Thursday.
Dutch foreign minister, Uri Rosenthal, said she had acted 'out of respect for Islamic tradition' in both Gulf countries.
Rarely had the 73-year-old queen ever aired her views on domestic politics so articulately, the daily De Volkskrant wrote.
The PVV supports the ruling government coalition in the Netherlands though it is not officially part of the government.
Beatrix was accompanied on the Gulf trip by Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife Maxima.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Royal Watch
- 1. Queen Elizabeth will 'never abdicate'
- 2. Diamond Jubilee celebrations kick off
- 3. Larry Lamb: Prince Edward is a good boss
- 4. Jubilee parties show how loved Queen Elizabeth is
- 5. Russell Watson's timely album
Older Talkback
