The path that Bhutan had chosen for development and change, inspired by Gross National Happiness, was not just a unique philosophy but had scientific basis and, in that sense, was enlightening, according to His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange, Willem Alexander of the Netherlands.
Talking to the Bhutanese media during his four day visit to Bhutan, His Royal Highness said that it was interesting to see Bhutan come out of isolation and transform in an incredibly rapid way while preserving culture, traditional values, religion and way of life at the same time.
“It is a spectacular combination to maintain and also to move forward,� said Prince Willem Alexander. “It is important that Bhutan achieves this goal.�
His Royal Highness said that, Bhutan being one of the few countries that chose to have foreign relations with the Netherlands, the Netherlands government would continue its development relations with Bhutan for another five years.
“We have taken this responsibility very seriously towards your country,� he said, adding that eventually when Bhutan would grow and develop at its own pace, that relation would also change. “It’s a natural process of improvement all the time.�
Meanwhile the people of the Netherlands could learn a lot from the Bhutanese attitude towards sustainable development.
His Royal Highness said that the world would follow from a distance Bhutan’s transition to a democratic system.
Prince Willem Alexander’s wife, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, said that it would be particularly interesting to see how Bhutan approached its plans and projects, considering other issues like sustainability at the same time.
“It would be as interesting to note if people that are around the projects are happy with the pace that the project is taking place and whether that is going to benefit everybody in the area,� Princess Maxima said. “It’s an interesting theory but it would be interesting to see how they go about the practicalities of it, which could be a bit cumbersome.�
Prince Willem Alexander said that he had always looked forward to visiting Bhutan and that his father, Prince Claus, had always wanted to visit the country. “Sadly he never managed,� said Prince Willem Alexander. “Your fourth King was incredibly kind to hold a special ceremony when my father died and, when we saw those pictures, it was an immediate reaction that we have to go and thank the royal family for the honour at that moment. Here we are, both in my father’s memory and also to see Bhutan, which is at a crossroads in history.�
Their Royal Highnesses Prince Willem Alexander and Princess Maxima received an audience with His Majesty the King at Tashichhodzong.
They also visited places of historic and religious significance in Paro and Thimphu.
The royal couple said that their visit, between October 28-31, did not do any justice to Bhutan. “But three days was enough to whet our appetite,� said Prince Willem Alexander, who intends to return as a tourist, to trek. “I really enjoy the high mountains but, in the meantime, we will be following with great interest what is happening in your country.�
The Prince of Orange was born on April 27, 1967, as the first child of then Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus.
He enrolled as a history student in the Arts Faculty of Leiden University in 1987 and concluded his studies with a dissertation on the Dutch response to France’s decision under President de Gaulle to leave NATO’s integrated command structure. He was awarded a degree in history in 1993.
Prince Willem Alexander was married to Princess Maxima on February 2, 2002. Princess Maxima graduated in economics from the Universidad Católica Argentina in 1995. Source: Kuenselonline
