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Learn How to Pronounce Bernhard of Lippe Biesterfeld | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Bernhard of Lippe Biesterfeld

Quick Answer: In German, the name Bernhard of Lippe Biesterfeld is pronounced [ˈbɛrnhɑrt vɑn ˈlɪpə ˈbistərfɛlt].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld, born in 1911, was the German-born consort to Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, serving as Prince of the Netherlands from her accession in 1948 until his death in 2004. A pivotal figure in modern Dutch monarchy history, his tenure spanned the nation's post-war recovery and the evolution of the House of Orange-Nassau. Bernhard's charismatic and energetic public persona made him a beloved royal family member, significantly bolstering the popularity of the Dutch royal house. He is perhaps best known for his instrumental role in founding the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), serving as its first president, and for his unwavering leadership as Commander-in-Chief of the Dutch Armed Forces. His life, however, was also marked by controversy, including the Lockheed bribery scandal of the 1970s, which created a complex legacy intertwining dedicated service to Dutch national unity with personal and political tumult.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary and correct spelling is Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. A frequent point of confusion is the hyphen in "Lippe-Biesterfeld," which is often omitted or misplaced, leading to incorrect forms like "Lippe Biesterfeld" (missing hyphen) or "Lippe-Biesterfield" (misspelling the second element). The first name "Bernhard" is the German and Dutch spelling, and it is commonly anglicized to "Bernard," which, while understandable, is not the formal or historically accurate rendition. Other common errors include misspellings of "Biesterfeld" as "Biesterfield" or "Bisterfeld," and occasionally conflating his title, such as writing "Prince Bernard of the Netherlands" without the "Lippe-Biesterfeld" designation. When referring to his full princely title in German, it is Bernhard zur Lippe-Biesterfeld.

Example Sentences

Following the liberation, Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld was celebrated as a national hero for his leadership of the Dutch Interior Forces.

His marriage to then-Princess Juliana in 1937 initially raised concerns but ultimately solidified his place as a dedicated prince consort.

Historians often note that Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld used his extensive network to advance Dutch economic and diplomatic interests abroad.

Despite the controversies that later emerged, many citizens remembered him fondly for his approachable manner and dedication to conservation through the WWF.

The state funeral for Prince Bernhard in 2004 marked the end of an era for the Dutch monarchy.

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