Bicycle monarchy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
'Bicycle monarchy' or 'bicycling monarchy' is a British term that refers to the more informal and modest personal styles of the royal families of countries in Scandinavia and the Low Countries, particularly the Netherlands.
The term is often used in a pejorative sense by newspapers in the United Kingdom, reflecting a pride in the pomp and ceremony of the British monarchy.[1] However, it is not used exclusively as a negative term, and is sometimes used in a favourable (or even ideal) light, particularly by those that oppose the more ceremonial side of the Royal Family, but don't seek to abolish the monarchy.[2]
[edit] Origin
There are two conflicting claims of the origin of the epithet: one deriving from the Dutch monarchy and the other from the Danish monarchy.[3]
The version involving the Netherlands has its roots in Queen Juliana's love of riding her bicycle, even as queen. Although Juliana would still perform official ceremonies, she was more famous in the United Kingdom for her frequent, unscheduled appearances with members of the public. Her daughter, Queen Beatrix, has also been sighted on her bicycle (although less often than her mother), perpetuating the myth of the 'bicycling monarchy' in foreign imagination.
The possible reference to the Danish monarchy stems from the Nazi occupation of Denmark during the Second World War. The non-hostile relationship between the governments of Denmark and Germany prompted accusations of collaboration. In a show of support for the Danish people in the face of such claims, Heir Apparent Prince Frederick and his wife Ingrid took to taking bicycle rides around Copenhagen.
Whichever gave rise to the term, it was not a result of either poverty or lack of constitutional authority. For example, the Dutch monarch, to whom the term is most frequently applied, retains full Prerogative powers and has a personal wealth $250m.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ "Picture a thoroughly modern monarch". 16 July 2003. Northern Echo. URL accessed 20 May 2006.
- ^ "Lib Dems see off monarchy vote call". 21 September 2003. BBC. URL accessed 20 May 2006.
- ^ e-cyclopaedia: Bicycling monarchy. 9 April 2001. BBC. URL accessed 20 May 2006.
- ^ "Dutch royalty denies billionaire status". 23 June 2003. BBC. URL accessed 20 May 2006.
