Friday saw the Netherlands awash in orange as the Dutch celebrated Queen’s Day, or Konininginnedag as they call it. It is the day where the people honor their monarch, Queen Beatrix and enjoy national pride. But sadly, this year’s festivities had a dark shadow over them.
REUTERS/Michael Kooren
2009′s Queen’s Day was a tragic one, as a car driver plowed into a crowd watching the royal procession on a bus in the central city of Apeldoorn. Eight people, including the driver, died and there was some calls to end the holiday.
But despite what happened last year, the Dutch were willing to enjoy themselves. Even the royals were just as festive as they went to the town of Wemeldinge, located in the southern province of Zeeland to meet with the people and have fun.
Although it rained most of the day, no one held back in celebrating. Crown Princess Maxima herself took part in a beer shuffleboarding contest while husband Crown Prince Willem-Alexander kicked a ball around for some schoolchildren.
The Queen herself seemed pleased with all the activity. In her speech at Middelburg Queen Beatrix thanked everybody for being so enthusiastic. “You gave us back Queen’s Day,” she told the crowds.
ROBIN UTRECHT/AFP/Getty Images
Her Majesty had a lot to be happy about. With the troubles in the government, many in Holland are looking to her for unity and observers are saying she is doing just that.
Despite the enthusiasm, there were still a few things to complain about. Security was understandably extra tight this year, with 1,400 police securing Wemeldinge. In addition, only invited guests and citizens that had passed security checks were allowed near the royal procession. The police even frisked a woman sitting in a wheelchair, something the Mayor of Wemeldinge condemned.
Also, train cars and stations were jam-packed with people moving around the country. Many Dutch had to wait a long time for their train to arrive. At one point, all trains to and from Amsterdam were canceled to deal with the crowds.
Furthermore, the Dutch sanitation workers are on strike, so the streets are filled with garbage and reek of beer.
Sources: Hello! Deutsche Welle, The Royal Forums.
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