Mariska (administrator) – The Dutch Royal Family

Back to.. May 31, 1940

31 May 202031 May 2020Mariska (administrator)

May 31, 1940

Princess Irene was baptized at Buckingham Palace

London – Because of the threat of war a baptism could not taken place so far, but today the moment was there. The baptism of the second daughter of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard took place.

Princess Juliana , Prince Bernhard and daughters Princess Beatrix en Princess Irene earlier this month. Source: National Archives

Because fear of German air raids, the baptism took place secretly in London. The Britsch Royal couple insisted that baptism take place in the court chapel of Buckingham palace and so it was. Not surprising among the attendees except to the family, Queen Wilhelmina also included the English King George and his wife Queen Elisabeth. Queen Elisabeth was one of the godparents of the princess. Other godparents were the Dutch armed forces. Baptism was performed by reformed pastor of the Dutch Church in London, Pastor J. van Dorp and the English court pastor.

Pastor J. van Dorp spoke about the text John 14:27 “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; not as the world gives it, I give it to you. ” He quoted that the name Irene was a name of hope for peace. That hope was not fulfilled, but the preacher said, it remains a representation of the ardent wish. The peace of Christ can also be experienced in the storm and this child will have to find that peace. He called on Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard not to seek the peace of the world for their child, but to teach her to “go the hard, the strict, the narrow way, for this is the only way that leads to life.”

He conclude the ceremony with a wish and a blessing: “That that peace should be given to you both richly and multiplied. We ask that of God. We offered this to you: the Lord bless and protect you. He makes his face shine upon you, and be merciful to you. He exalt His face over You and grant You peace. Amen.’

In the series ‘Back to …’ a look back at events in the form of a newspaper report. For the information in this article I used Digibron

Princess Margriet has a message for Canada

5 May 20206 May 2020Mariska (administrator)

Today it is Liberation Day in the Netherlands and it is also Dutch Heritage Day in Canada Day. We consider 75 years of liberation. Unfortunately, this year due to the Coronavirus it is not possible for many veterans to be at the events, therefore Princess Margriet had a video message special for the Canadian veterans.

In the message, the Princess says that she and her husband were looking forward to the meet the Canadian, but that we still have to be patient until it is safe again. She further points out that Canada showed hospitality to her family during the Second World War and also played an important role in the liberation of the German occupation. She underlines the good relationship between the Netherlands and Canada and talks about the handing over of the ‘Liberation75’ tulip bulbs last year.

She concludes the message with the wish that the hope to meet the Canadian in good health in the near future, in better times. And conclude with a thank you to Canada

Commemorate 75 years end of World War II

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This year marks 75 years since World War II ended. In the Netherlands this is commemorated in particular on 4 and 5 May, but attention has also been paid to it in recent months. There were several events in which members of the Dutch royal family participared. An overview

Every year the National 4 and 5 may comittee chosen a theme of the year. This year it was “stories to never forget” Princess Mabel wrote the year theme text. She recited this text 9th of November during a meeting at Leerhotel Het Klooster in Amersfoort. The Princess also give an interview for the Libelle special 75 years of freedom

But what I am most convinced of is that freedom is not built on big beautiful words, but is achieved through small concrete actions. Actions in our own home, our own lives. Actions to prevent conflicts – big or small. Actions to eliminate injustice, inequality and oppression. Actions to let your fellow man know that he or she counts – just like you. Those acts – big and small – form the basis for new stories. Stories to share with each other. Stories that connect us.
Princess Mabel in the text she wrote for the National Comittee 4 and 5 May.

On August 31, King Willem-Alexander mark the start of the celebration of 75 years of freedom by ringing a bell buoy on the quays of Terneuzen.

On September 2 Princess Margriet hand over “Liberation75” tulip bulbs to Canadian Veteran Don White. The handover symbolizes 100,000 tulip bulbs that the Netherlands donates to Canada, 75 years after the liberation of the Netherlands by the Allies.

King Willem-Alexander opened on september 6 the National Monument Oranjehotel in The Hague.

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Princess Margriet and Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven attended the 75th commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem (Operation Market Garden) on September 20

A day later, September 21, Princess Beatrix, together with among other Prince Charles, among others, was present by the commemoration of Opertation Market Garden at Airborne Air Landings and Commemoration in Ede

On October 2 Princess Beatrix attended the 75th commemoration of the Putten Raid

In Nieuwdorp Princess Margriet reopened the Liberation Museum Zeeland that has been expanded and redesigned on october 25

Princess Margriet and Prof. dr. Pieter attended the Memorial Day of Canada in Bergen op Zoom on October 27

On October 29 King Willem-Alexander was present at the commemoration 75 years of the liberation of Breda. The king also received the Polish prime minister for this occasion

On November 27 last year, King Willem-Alexander opened the renovated memorial center of National Monument Camp Vught.

Princess Beatrix attended a symposium of the interfaith network In Vrijheid Verbond with the theme “75 years of freedom” on January 20 in Tivoli Vredenburg in Utrecht.

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On January 27, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima attended the international commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the former German concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

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Earlier that month King Willem-Alexander visited Israel in the context of 75 years of liberation. He attended The World Holocaust Forum. This forum was held for the fifth time to commemorate the Holocaust and bring anti-Semitism worldwide under attention. He also visited Yad Vashem’s museum and visited the Dutch care home Beth Juliana

National commemoration Day 2020

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May 4 is the day on which the Netherlands commemorates its victims of war. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were present at the National Commemoration on Dam square in Amsterdam

© Photo: Ben Houdijk / National Committee 4 and 5 May

It was a special commemoration. Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, there was no public. In the company of only Prime Minister Rutte, chairman of the National 4 and 5 may committee Gerdi Verbeet and Mayor Femke Halsema of Amsterdam, the Royal couple laid the first wreath, watch and listened to the introduction videos during the laying of the other wreaths and to the 16-year-old Eva Pronk who read her own written poem ‘Vrijheid’ (Freedom)

Special was also that it was the first time that the Dutch head of state give a speech

© Photo: Martijn Beekman / National Committee 4 and 5 May

King Willem-Alexander pay attention to the special circumstances “It feels strange on an almost empty Dam. But I know that you are experiencing this National Commemoration and that we are here together. ”

Then he speek about how utmost lack of freedom looklike on the basis of the story of war witnesses Jules Schelvis

“Straight through this city. Straight through this country. Right before the eyes of their fellow countrymen. It seemed to develop so gradually. Bit by bit.
No longer being allowed to go to the swimming pool.
Being excluded as member of an orchestra.
No longer being allowed to ride your bike.
No longer being allowed to go to college.
Being put out onto the streets.
Being arrested and taken away.
Sobibor began in the Vondelpark. With a sign saying: ‘Jews Not Wanted”.

In his speech, the King mentioned how civilians and soldiers fought for our freedom, but that er was also that other reality. He did not ignore the fact that people also felt abandoded by his great-grandmother Queen Wilhelmina

“Fellow human beings, fellow citizens in need, felt abandoned, unheard, and unsupported, if only by words. Also from London, and by my great grandmother, despite her unwavering and fierce opposition. This is something that won’t let go of me.

In the end the King underscore that the war has still has impact and that we have to make sure it won’t happen again

Even now, 75 years after our liberation, it remains with us. The least we can do is: not look away. Not justify. Not erase. Not brush aside. Not make something ‘normal’ that is not. And: nurture and defend our free, democratic constitution. Because only that is what will protect us from terror and insanity.