Royalty reporter Justine Marcella expected a royal photo opportunity, but she says she got a poorly acted performance. “With so much IQ and charisma, this must be possible differently.”
The annual photo session of the royal family is one of the most scrutinized media moments of the year. Everything has to be right: the setting, the appearance, the timing, the message. But the recent edition stood out, according to royalty expert Justine Marcella. Why? Because according to her the whole thing looked a bit amateurish.
Young huntress
According to Justine, it was as if no one had prepared for the dynamics of 2026. Justine Marcella, who was in favor Story was allowed to ask the questions, was there and wrote a scathing column about it.
Three days before the photo session, the Government Information Service gave her the opportunity to submit a question via WhatsApp. It had to be received within 23 hours. Last year she wanted to know from Amalia whether she is aware of the role of geese in the damage to farmers and whether she is doing her part as a young huntress. The answer brought nothing.
No regrets
Just asking the question was awkward, Justine heard before and afterwards. However, she has no regrets. “It gave her a chance to explain what damage control means. An opportunity that she let slip, unfortunately.”
This time Justine wanted to know how she views the Dutch press. “She recently visited Amsterdam and I noticed that she did not necessarily experience the media as a gift.”
Beet farmer
Amalia is quite naive, Justine thinks. “The ‘girl’ on the bridge was ‘against a wall of press’ and she ‘would never really get used to it’. I’ll just summarize, you can see the full answer on my Instagram.”
She continues: “I was a bit shocked by her answer. By now she must know that she is not a beet farmer, administrative employee or teacher? Our eyes are focused on the future queen!”
Play
Justine finds it special ‘that despite the fact that the Oranje knew what questions were coming, they seemed completely overwhelmed with every question’. “When is your mother Argentinian and when is she Dutch?”, for example, was asked.
However, no substantive answer was given, she concludes. “I didn’t feel like a journalist and even worse: I had become the audience of a poorly acted play. With so much IQ and charismatic, innate diplomacy, this can and must be different!”