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| Dutch Queen Beatrix calls headscarf row 'nonsense' | Dutch Queen Beatrix calls headscarf row 'nonsense' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has dismissed as "real nonsense" a domestic political row over her wearing of a headscarf while on a trip to the Gulf. | Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has dismissed as "real nonsense" a domestic political row over her wearing of a headscarf while on a trip to the Gulf. |
| She was reacting to questions in parliament tabled by Geert Wilders's Freedom Party (PVV) which claimed she "legitimises the oppression of women". | She was reacting to questions in parliament tabled by Geert Wilders's Freedom Party (PVV) which claimed she "legitimises the oppression of women". |
| Queen Beatrix wore a gown and headscarf first on Sunday at a mosque in Abu Dhabi and again on Thursday in Oman. | |
| Her officials said she had acted out of respect for Islamic tradition. | Her officials said she had acted out of respect for Islamic tradition. |
| During Thursday's visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the Omani capital, Muscat, the queen wore a red shawl over her hat while Princess Maxima who was accompanying her also had her head covered. | During Thursday's visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the Omani capital, Muscat, the queen wore a red shawl over her hat while Princess Maxima who was accompanying her also had her head covered. |
| Dutch TV said that by also wearing gloves, the queen had covered herself even more than in Abu Dhabi. | Dutch TV said that by also wearing gloves, the queen had covered herself even more than in Abu Dhabi. |
| The PVV, an anti-Islam party that props up the Dutch minority government without being part of the coalition, described her wearing of a headscarf on Sunday as a "sad spectacle". | The PVV, an anti-Islam party that props up the Dutch minority government without being part of the coalition, described her wearing of a headscarf on Sunday as a "sad spectacle". |
| Reporters with the royal party in Muscat on Thursday described the queen as heaving a deep sigh, while saying she was not surprised by the row. | Reporters with the royal party in Muscat on Thursday described the queen as heaving a deep sigh, while saying she was not surprised by the row. |
| Princess Maxima also spoke out, according to Dutch media, pointing out that two-thirds of students in Abu Dhabi were women. | Princess Maxima also spoke out, according to Dutch media, pointing out that two-thirds of students in Abu Dhabi were women. |
| Although the queen regularly speaks to the Dutch press at the end of a royal tour, her frank remarks about a domestic political party are being seen as unprecedented. | Although the queen regularly speaks to the Dutch press at the end of a royal tour, her frank remarks about a domestic political party are being seen as unprecedented. |