By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg.
On 6 February 2016, the 48th Wiener Ball took place in Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin in Noordwijk. Without doubts one can speak of it as a great success. Many guests from the military as well as politicians, diplomats and other expats presented themselves in beautiful dresses, traditional uniforms, white tie or black tie with decorations.
Amongst them were Dr. Christian Erd, President of the Foundation Austrian Culture in The Netherlands, Their Imperial and Royal Highnesses Archduchess Camilla, Archduke Sándor and wife Archduchess Herta Margarete von Habsburg, also Their Highnesses The Duke of Anhalt, Prince Eduard II and ex-wife Princess Corinna of Anhalt and Her Excellency Ms. Mainyura Saudabaeva Ambassador of Kazakhstan. However, the focus of the evening were the debutants – females dressed in shiny white dresses and tiaras and male in Frack or traditional attire.
Pia van Eenennaam-Beck, President Dr. Christian Erd, Foundation Austrian Culture in The Netherlands, Baron Henri Estramant, TTII&RRHH Archduchess Herta Margarete, Archduke Sándor, Archduchess Camilla von Habsburg of Austria-Tuscany, HE Chamberlain Hans van Eenennaam.
For additional pictures on the 48th Wiener Ball, please click here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157664730680406
After having dived into the great crowd and the former debutants dinner, all the guests were asked to enter the ballroom, where the debutants presented themselves to their fellow peers.
Afterwards all guests had settled, a chain of dances, amongst which of course was the ‘Wiener Waltz’, presented by the debutants after weeks of training by the Wim Lier dance school, Den Haag, started. This was accompanied by an amazing perform of the Viennese orchestra, which would continue until 2 am the next day.
After a wonderful performance, the dance continued and was joined by as many guests as the dancefloor could fit. The evening’s Wiener Ball had a two ballrooms with different kinds of music played by the orchestra or the more modern Hoytema Band, allowing a multitude of dance kinds.
Thus, all generations could find their room to enjoy the music they liked. And if one danced enough for the moment or was just thirsty, he or she could easily find a bar to reenergise and have a nice chat. And, if one was feeling more like a hearty piece of cake, one could enjoy the Wiener Kaffee and its atmosphere, while eating delicious food. Besides that, the debutants sold tombola tickets to the guest, of which the profit went to SOS Kinderdorpen.
At midnight the Midnight Quadrille was performed by anyone, who still did not dance enough. At 2 am the Wiener Ball officially closed, but the after-party in the hotel disco continued the eventing’s course.
All together created an atmosphere, which could not have been better and worth remembering.
Photography by Danielle Regou.
