THE HAGUE, 09/02/01 - Gilbert Monod de Froideville, up to five years ago Master of Ceremonies to Queen Beatrix, is returning to his former position by mid-2001. Monod de Froideville is esteemed for his knowledge of etiquette and protocol, which could come in handy in the event of a royal wedding, for example.

The Government Information Service (RVD) denied yesterday that there is any relation between Monod de Froideville's returning to the Court and an upcoming marriage of Willem-Alexander with Maxima Zorreguieta. According to the RVD, the emcee's return had long ago been agreed on. In 1996, Monod de Froideville was assigned to the foreign ministry for a period of five years. At the time, it was decided that he would return to the Queen.

Monod (58) is currently Consul-General in Chicago. As the Queen's Master of Ceremonies, he will succeed Henk Beentjes, who also arrived at the emcee position from the foreign ministry. What the professional future of Beentjes will look like was still unclear yesterday.