Queen’s Day celebration
May 1, 2012 58 Comments
A turn around in the weather spelled the big difference and great fun in this year’s traditional Queen’s Day celebration. The day before, we were still in our thick winter coat but on this day, we could go out in summer outfit, my husband even in his shorts.
The 30th of April has been celebrated as Queen’s Day during the reign of Queen Juliana (mother of Queen Beatrix, the reigning monarch) because that was her birthday and the gates of Soestdijk Palace opened up to the Dutch people who would come to bring her presents. She would be with the royal family in full force to meet the people in her very own down-to-earth manner. This has of course endeared her to her subjects. Queen Beatrix’s birthday is in January but the April 30 celebration has been retained because weather-wise, this is the best time for the Dutch to party. Holland on this day explodes in orange as the Dutch family belongs to the House of Orange-Nassau (Oranje-Nassau). The manner of celebration has also taken a different route. On this day, Queen Beatrix and the members of the royal family visit two towns/cities and participate in the many organized activities. The younger royals literally let their hair loose by joining in the many fun games, much to the amusement of the people who normally don’t get the chance to see them up close and personal and in such a very relaxed and playful manner.
This celebration has seen rough times in recent years. Three years ago, at the celebration in Apeldoorn which is also a royal stronghold, a drama unfolded right before the very eyes of the Dutch royals. A black Suzuki swift driven by a man suffering from depression drove through the crowd in full view of the royal family who were in an open bus. Eight people died from this incident which has always been viewed as a fun and safe activity.
This year, the royal family visited the towns of Veenendaal and Rhenen. The mood was sober especially when the queen addressed the crowd that unfortunately the royal family was not complete. Tragedy struck the royal family when the queen’s son Prince Johan Friso was buried in an avalanche while the family were on a skiing holiday in Austria last February. He is in coma and in long-term care at a specialized hospital in London and to which the doctors have already declared that he’ll never wake up again save for a miracle. He is the smartest of the queen’s three sons and father to two very young daughters who will never get to live normal lives again.
Apart from the festive mood, Holland is also one big flea market on this day. Anyone with second hand stuffs to sell is out to make a few bucks. It is a case of one’s junk can be another person’s treasure. Old clothes, shoes, toys, music records, DVDs, delicate chinas, books, etc. which have been segregated for disposal after spring cleaning can maybe still earn a few bucks. To my little girl, the big attraction was the merry go round and the chance to eat her favorite “olliebollen” which is normally something that is on sale around Christmas and New year. Some enterprising young girls were offering nail polish for 50 cents with several designs to choose from. My little girl showed her patriotic side asking for the colors of the Dutch flag.
After the walk through the busy Langestraat, we had enough of this Orange madness and decided to already go home. I suggested to the hubby that it is not a bad idea to head to the tulip fields in Zeewolde for our annual photo session since the weather is just fantastic for that.
Orange is the color of the day
Other people's junk can be another person's treasure
Everyone wants to earn a few bucks...this boy with his violin for a few cents
Selling old records
Old DVDs
Old toys and game boards
Old chinas, etc.
Old shoes
Old toys
A manicure of preferred design from enterprising girls for Eur 50 cents
The colors of the Dutch flag in her nails... a very satisfied customer
Merry-go-round always spells "F-U-N" to the little girl
A balloon is also a must-have...pricey at Eur 6.00
And "olliebollen" which has become rare at this time of the year is a treat to the little girl
Ogling the many sorts of sweets
About Malou
Lovely photos!
Thanks a lot, Jenny.
Your welcome Malou. You are so galing…All your post are so very entertaining..Jenny
The good weather has been a long time coming, hasn’t it? How lucky it arrived just in time for your celebrations. Looks like you all had a great time
This good weather was a one-off. We’re now back to grey, wet and cold spring. I can hardly wait for summer to come.
Looks like a great time was had by all!
Yes, everyone here had a great time especially because the weather also cooperated.
So colourful Malou! I had no idea the Dutch were so bold when it comes to these things!
Thanks a lot, Janine. The Dutch are quite bold in their expression of nationalism. In the last World Cup for instance, it was impossible to not be swayed by the Dutch fervor in supporting the Dutch team as they were obviously in orange.
I love the way you give us a view of life there!
Glad to know that you like the view of life here.
We are all happy here today in the north! Let the sun shine
Was your sunshine just a one-off like ours or it has managed to stay longer? Only on this day that we have sunshine and warm weather.
Love the photos. They are so full of life & colour
Thanks a lot, EllaDee.
You had lovely weather for outdoor fun, and your daughter makes a beautiful princess. But I was saddened to learn that some of the previous celebrations of this festive day had been marred by tragedies.
Indeed that attack to the innocent crowd marred this celebration which has always been festive. In Amsterdam, it was also relatively quiet this year because the mayor did not grant permit to the usual activities for fear of untoward events.
Great to year about your Queen’s Day festivities there! Enjoy!
Thanks a lot, Lotus Mama.
Looks like lots of fun
It was, Leanova.
Thanks Malou,
I have good memories of Queens Day; too bad about the queen’s son.
Pass it on: I now have my E book published about Adrienne whose story starts in the Netherlands: ON THIN ICE and in a week or two it will be available at the E book retailers
Thanks a bunch
Johanna van Zanten
Congratulations with the publication of your ebook, Johanna!
Great day to be outside!
So true!
Looks like a beautiful celebration.
It was, Shimon.
I can’t tell you how much I love the details of these photos of the celebrations. I love seeing what people are selling, the books, shoes, toys, candy! It’s fascinating to me. I’m so glad your weather was perfect. I wish I could be there at this time of year! And I also really love the tulip field photos with the line of trees on the horizon. Just beautiful.
Thanks a lot, Old Jules. This is a very typical Dutch way of celebrating this occasion.
Love the photo … so colorful and sunny … a great day out again with a princess. *smile Is it a doughnut she is eating ???? !!!!! Olliebollen – like the name! What ever it’s she enjoys it with her whole face. It was our Kings birthday yesterday. Great photos with plenty of colors and joy. Thanks !!!!!
Thanks a lot, Viveka. She’s eating an “olliebollen” or literally oily balls for these are dough balls deep fried and then sprinkled with lots of powdered sugar.
Belated happy king’s day celebration.
She enjoys it … and that’s the main thing. Happy King .. you don’t have a king????!!!!
How spectular!
Thanks a lot, sillyliss.
WOW!! I am so jealous!! Where to start. I love the photographs, of course. Gorgeous shots!! What a great looking flea market. So many treasures. Did you buy the Greatest Hits by Cat Stevens? I also love, love the nail polish and tiara! FAB post! Theadora (Pretty weather, too.)
Thanks a lot, Theadora! I know that you are a big fan of flea markets and will always find some treasures in them. No, I did not buy the Cat Stevens LP but it was fun to see old stuffs coming out of obscurity especially in this day and age of iTunes. You and my little girl would make a great team when it comes to nail polish and tiara.
Sehr schön wieder!
Liebe Grüße aus Berlin, Michael
Thanks a lot, Michael.
What an interesting set of photos – it looks like a great market to visit. Thanks for sharing
Thanks a lot. Every town/city in Holland have flea markets on this day and they are always fun to explore.
That looks like such a fun day! Thanks for sharing, as always, Malou!
I love flea markets. Did you pick up anything?
It was a fun day but in the end, too busy for me. No, I tried not to be swayed to buy anything for myself but my daughter couldn’t resist a few stuffs.
Thank you for sharing the history of Queen’s Day, it was really interesting to learn about that!
Glad to know that you found the history of Queen’s Day interesting, Maura.
I, too, appreciate your explanation of the Queen’s Day celebration. It looks like a grand opportunity for people watching, and to take in a little fun. Nice set of photos to accompany the story!
Thanks a lot, Ken. You are right, it is a real cultural experience to be here and celebrate Queen’s Day.
I love outdoor festivals! They’re so lively, and I love browsing the food and artisan stands.
You’re lucky in Spain which has so many fiestas and outdoor festivals, Michi. Here are mostly junks and second-hand stuffs which are on sale on Queen’s Day.
FUN! Thanks so for sharing this, malou! I learn new things from you with every post!
Thanks a lot. Glad to know that you found this post informative.
I gather there were hundreds of thousands of people in the streets of Amsterdam that day. Huge party. Interesting to hear that it is a huge market as well.
This is party time for the Dutch. Young and old are out and it is just the time for celebration. With the nice weather, we couldn’t complain either.
Best day of the year. I miss you Amsterdam!
True!
I’ve heard so much about Queens Day in the Netherlands and how it’s one big party! This looks like so much fun!
It was indeed a lot of fun, Alisa.
Oh, your lovely photos remind me of the Queen’s Day we spent in Amsterdam, and the previous day spent at Keukenhof. I was amazed both by the size of the street party and the sheer civility of the party-goers! It was fantastic. And Keukenhof looked splendid, even in the showers. It just sprouted umbrellas that looked like giant flowers and mushrooms. Thanks for bringing back these memories. Beautiful blog!
Thanks a lot. Glad to know that you had a lovely time in Amsterdam on Queen’s Day and at Keukenhof too.