2015: King’s Day, ‘new style’

DORDRECHT – King’s Day 2015 will be celebrated in a ‘new style’; the first time that the Royal couple will not be mingling with the crowds. Thus, a tradition going back to 1881 is thrown overboard. JOEP DERKSEN reports.

King’s Day, formerly known as ‘Princess Day’ and ‘Queen’s day’ is a national celebratory day to honor the Head of State. Most employees have a day off, and millions of Dutch citizens visit one of many ‘Vrijmarkten’ or flea markets. The most famous Vrijmarkt, where children and adults sell their old toys and goods, is the one held in Amsterdam. Traditionally, the Dutch dress up in orange, as a salute to the ‘House of Orange’, the Dutch Royal Family. King’s Day has officially been recognized as ‘immaterial inheritance’; the first national holiday to be recognized by the Nationale Inventaris Immaterieel Cultureel Erfgoed (National Inventory Immaterial Cultural Inheritance).

Celebrating the monarch’s birthday is a tradition that goes back all the way to the nineteenth century. The day was first organized in 1881, because the Royal House was going through a difficult period. King Willem III was not very popular, and after he died, Queen-Mother Emma wanted to woo the inhabitants. From 1881 to 1898, it was called ‘Prinsessedag’ (Princess Day), and from 1898 onwards, it was known as ‘Koninginnedag’ (Queen’s Day). Throughout the years, this event evolved into a true peoples’ party. When former Queen Juliana held office, a procession was held in front of Paleis Soestdijk on Queen’s Day. Her daughter, Queen Beatrix, always visited two towns on the national holiday. Since the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the subsequent change of rule, the date has been changed from April 30 to April 27, the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. The event was renamed ‘Koningsdag’ (King’s Day) to match.

Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander want to change things, and they take it easy in several aspects. Not walking among the people is one. The NRC wrote on January 29: “Willem-Alexander had already said that he wants to do things differently from his mother. He wants to curb the ‘koekhappen’ (traditional no-hands cookie eating) and have less members of the Royal Family participating.” Until last year, it was customary that the Head of State would visit two towns or villages on the same Queen’s Day or King’s Day. But just visiting the town of Dordrecht is more than enough for the Royal Family. It’s not even certain that they will bring their children Alexia, Amalia, and Ariane to the festivities.

But why have the King and Queen decided that they don’t want to mingle with the crowd? Why do they prefer to visit four sites in Dordrecht by boat, car, or helicopter? When you ask those questions, you already know the official answer: Royal House reporter Antoin Peeters confirms that the Royal couple will be skipping this part of the celebrations “for security reasons.” In 2009, a man named Karst Tates tried to drive his Suzuki Swift into the bus transporting the Royal Family. Although seven people were killed in the incident, the Royal bus wasn’t hit and none of the Royals were injured. After this incident, Queen Beatrix stated that the openness of the celebrations should continue. Her son and daughter-in-law, however, seem to think otherwise.

The couple will visit four different locations in Dordrecht. While official announcements on where they will go have only been announced at the end of March, RTL Nieuws already reported the planned whereabouts of the royal couple in Dordrecht as early as January. According to the Dutch broadcaster, this year’s April 27 will kick off with a modern naval review at the point where the rivers Merwede, De Noord, and Oude Maas meet. This ‘grande parade’ should become a ‘colorful spectacle’, the Telegraaf reported on October 11, 2014: “King Willem-Alexander hopes for a colorful spectacle with music, sports, culture, design, and social initiatives.” After this, the Royal Family will proceed to the Grote Kerk (Church of Our Lady), the Hof van Dordrecht (Garden of Dordrecht), and the Statenplein (State Square). At this last location, Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander will listen to several choirs, whose members will try to give a performance of their lifetimes.

However, it is already certain that not everybody will be in a festive mood on April27. Among these people are the members of the NRG (Nieuw Republikeins Genootschap; New Republican Society). It is the sole purpose of this society to turn the Dutch monarchy into a Republic. After years of relative silence, the NRG has spoken out about their plans for the coming years. On their website, www.republikeinen.nl, vice-Chairman Ruud van Diemen writes: “It would be nice if Willem-Alexander has to start worrying about the monarchy as of 2018 onwards. We are developing a long-range plan for 2015–2018 and will be less obedient. We are a solemn society based on true democratic foundations. We should start crossing the limits in order to realize where those limits are. Our dignity lies in the fact that we abide by the law and that we will nog use violence in any way. However, we can set up campaigns, with the purpose of creating more awareness and getting more supporters.” It seems that for the next three years, at least, King Willem-Alexander and his wife can enjoy the festivities without any worries.