Day of the Princess in Netherlands

The fairy tale of the monarchy!

It's early in the morning and people are already there, sitting. Just because they want to grab the best spot to see the Queen who comes by at 1 PM. The centre of The Hague today is filled with fences and security. It's the third Tuesday in September, and it's Day of the Princes. This is the day when the Queen reads the so-called Troonrede. It contains plans of our government for 2009. These serious plans go hand-in-hand with the show, spectators, hats and waves. Day of the Princes is a long-lived tradition


By GERBEN SOLLEVELD
from Wageningen, NETHERLANDS


Its history is a long one. Day of the Princes used to be called Queen's Day, but now the term refers to her birthday. Later it become the day in which Government introduced their financial plans to the public. In the beginning, the ceremony was set on every first Monday in November. However, practice showed that Government couldn't finish the budget on time for the next year, so the event was delayed until the third Monday in September. Then another problem came up: many of the Congress members had to travel on Sunday to arrive to The Hague on time, which unabled them to practice their faith. That's the reason for setting with the third Tuesday in September as Day of the Princes, ever since 1887.

Burglars wanted

It's Tuesday, 16th September 2008, and it's the third Tuesday in September. Though it's early in the morning, a vast amount of people are standing near the fences; elderly people clamber the benches, and children climb the trees. They all want to see the tour with marching bands'music , horses and carriages. Above all, of course, they want to see the Golden Carriage with the Queen, her son Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife Princess Maxima. Everyone is curious: what will Maxima's dress looks like, and what hat will the Queen wears? José van Leeuwen, 53 years old, walks among all these fans: "Oh, all these people don't know what this is really about". For years and years Van Leeuwen joins Day of the Princes, but always trying to get across a different message. 'Burglars wanted for the Iraq-dossier', says the banner on her neck. She is against Government's plans, and also against the monarchy: "The queen has to quit. It costs us money and we scarcely know what her work is about. Check this out today, it costs so much. We wouldn't accept all these travels and ceremonial stuff if we had a president like in the USA."

Politicians sacrifice themselves

More and more people try to get a stand belong the route. The sound of the first drums hits us, while the procession of horses pass in the street. "It is a great atmosphere," says Mr. Renkens. He and his wife have visited the Hague on the Day of the Princes for the third time, but besides having fun, they are also looking forward to hearing about the financial situation and the Queen's speech: "The state we're in is not as bad as people say it is. There are a lot of critics on the government but they're still doing a difficult job," he says. "Our politicians sacrifice themselves," his wife adds with a serious sound in her voice. As for the spot they are at, they say: "It's just the atmosphere, we have seen some beautiful hats. We arrived a second ago, but the most nicest places are gone." Not all the people care about the royalties' clothes; some of them also need to know the plans for their country.'

Red Hat Society

Three ladies: dressed to the nines, purple clothing and red hats, what deeper story lies behind? "We are three women of the Red Hat Society, the women above fifty years old who want to have fun and be striking," answers Thea d'Or, Queen of the Society as they named her. Day of the Princes is the moment to promote an association. " I do love tradition and I don't think this kind of celebration may cause the poor to become poorer, no matter how expensive it is." says D'Or.

The Golden Carriage

Moments and moments are already gone, but there they are: Queen Beaxtrix, her son with his wife in the famous Golden Carriage. Big noise is coming up from the crowd; many hands are waving. Maxima waves back with great enthusiasm, while Willem-Alexander also waves, but to those on the other side of the street. But as fast as the carriage comes around the corner, that fast it's gone. The queen will be reading the Troonrede: our Government's plans written by Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende. After this speech the Secretary of the Treasury presents the financial part in the so-called Miljoenennota. By tradition these plans are packed in a wooden case.

Day of the Princes: a typical Dutch day full of tradition, but every year with completely different plans. As Dutch royalty reporter Peter van der Vorst said to me: "Day of the Princes, the fairy tale of the monarchy!"


(Published: 10.10.2008.)