This afternoon, King Willem-Alexander will award the Erasmus Prize to the Indian writer Amitav Ghosh. Queen Máxima, Princess Beatrix and Princess Irene are also present at the ceremony.
The Royal Palace Amsterdam will have no fewer than four royals as guests this afternoon. King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, Princess Beatrix and Princess Irene are all present at the annual awards ceremony.
Read more below the video.
Regent
As regent of the Praemium Erasmianum foundation, King Willem-Alexander awards the Erasmus Prize. This annual lifetime achievement award is awarded to a person or institution that has made an extraordinary contribution to the humanities, social sciences or the arts. Last year, South African comedian Trevor Noah won. This year, writer Amitav Ghosh from India wins the prize. Every year there is a different theme. This year it is ‘the imagination of the unthinkable’ in which climate change is discussed through the written word.
Read more below the photo and video.
King Willem-Alexander presents the Erasmus Prize to Amitav Ghosh.
Award ceremony dress
Queen Máxima opts for a colorful outfit, completely different from the neutral look earlier today. The red from the dress is reflected in her pumps and handbag. Claes Iversen’s dress seems to be the perfect dress for award ceremonies for the queen. She previously wore the colorful design with leather ruffles and feathers during the presentation of the Erasmus Prize in 2019 and the Prince Bernhard Cultural Fund Prize in 2018.
Queen Máxima opts for the same colorful dress at the presentation of the 2019 Erasmus Prize.
Image: ANP / Instagram @eo_blauwbloed
(With a mischievous grin, in the style of Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans)
“Ah, the pomp and circumstance of royal gatherings. How delightful! This afternoon, the crème de la crème of Dutch royalty have gathered to bestow the prestigious Erasmus Prize upon the Indian writer Amitav Ghosh. (pauses for comedic effect) I mean, it’s not every day you get to meet a writer who’s actually sold more books than the Queen’s biography… or in this case, the Queen’s cookbook. (chuckles)
“Now, let’s take a gander at the guest list, shall we? We’ve got King Willem-Alexander, the regent of the Praemium Erasmianum foundation, handing out the award like it’s a participation trophy at a Dutch bake-off. And, of course, Queen Máxima is in attendance, looking radiant in her… wait for it… colorful outfit! (airs quotes) ‘Colorful’ being the operative word here, folks. I mean, who needs subtlety when you can blind everyone with a dress that’s been described as ‘Claes Iversen’s dress with leather ruffles and feathers’? (in a high-pitched voice) Oh, it’s like a fashion emergency! Someone call the style police!
“But, in all seriousness, the Erasmus Prize is a significant honor, and Amitav Ghosh is a worthy recipient. His work has been instrumental in highlighting the importance of climate change through the written word. (pauses for comedic effect) Although, I’m not sure what’s more remarkable – his writing or the fact that he’s managed to make climate change sound interesting. (winks)
“And what about the theme of this year’s ceremony, you ask? Ah, yes, ‘the imagination of the unthinkable.’ Sounds like a real page-turner, doesn’t it? (sarcastic tone) I mean, who wouldn’t want to read about the impending doom of our planet in a literary context? It’s like the ultimate thriller – ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ meets ‘The Road’… minus the road, because, you know, climate change and all that.
“In conclusion, it’s been a pleasure to bring you this thrilling account of the Erasmus Prize ceremony. And to Amitav Ghosh, I say congratulations on your award. May your writing continue to inspire and educate us about the importance of climate change… and may Queen Máxima’s dress sense continue to… well, let’s just say ‘inspire’ us in a different way altogether.” (laughs)
Here is the rewritten article:
This afternoon, in a grand ceremony at the Royal Palace Amsterdam, King Willem-Alexander will bestow the prestigious Erasmus Prize upon the renowned Indian writer Amitav Ghosh, recognizing his outstanding contributions to literature and the humanities. The ceremony will be attended by an impressive royal entourage, including Queen Máxima, Princess Beatrix, and Princess Irene, who will gather to honor Ghosh’s remarkable achievements.
The Royal Palace Amsterdam will play host to a rare gathering of four royals, including King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, Princess Beatrix, and Princess Irene, all of whom will be in attendance at the annual Erasmus Prize awards ceremony. This highly anticipated event promises to be a highlight of the cultural calendar, as the royal family comes together to celebrate the world’s most distinguished thinkers and creatives.
Regent
As regent of the esteemed Praemium Erasmianum foundation, King Willem-Alexander will present the Erasmus Prize to Amitav Ghosh, marking the culmination of a rigorous selection process that recognizes individuals or institutions that have made an extraordinary impact on the humanities, social sciences, or the arts. Past winners of this illustrious award include South African comedian Trevor Noah, who received the prize last year, and a diverse range of thinkers and creatives who have been honored for their groundbreaking work. This year’s theme, “the imagination of the unthinkable,” explores the critical issue of climate change through the lens of literature and the written word.
Award ceremony dress
Queen Máxima has chosen to wear a stunning and colorful outfit to the ceremony, a deliberate departure from the neutral tones she opted for earlier in the day. The vibrant red hue of her dress is perfectly complemented by her matching pumps and handbag, creating a cohesive and stylish look that is quintessentially regal. The bespoke dress, designed by Claes Iversen, features intricate leather ruffles and feathers, making it the perfect choice for a high-profile awards ceremony. Notably, Queen Máxima has worn this same design on two previous occasions, including the presentation of the Erasmus Prize in 2019 and the Prince Bernhard Cultural Fund Prize in 2018, cementing its status as a trusted favorite in her royal wardrobe.
