Long Live the Queen!
Lang Leve de Koningin!
Wednesday the 30th of April we celebrate the official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. Although Queen Beatrix's real birthday is January 31, when she ascended to the throne in 1980 she decreed that her mother's birthday, April 30, would become Koninginnedag - Queen's Day - as a tribute to the much loved Queen Mother Juliana.
Queen's
Day, a national holiday, is characterized by massive street parties
with music podia, DJ's, art and theater shows and curb-side bars and
food stalls. In addition the country turns into one giant flea market
with tens of thousands of people emptying out their attics to sell all
their old junk on the streets. And finally, the packed streets become a
sea of orange as many people dress in orange, don orange hats and make
up their faces in orange to honor the royal family - the House of
Orange.
I personally love living in a monarchy. Her Majesty the Queen is a
powerful symbol of national unity and pride. The royal family is much
loved here and there is no serious effort to limit the role of the
Queen or to turn the Netherlands into a republic. Of course a great
deal of this has to do with the fact that Queen Beatrix is very popular
as is her first-born son, the crown prince The Prince of Orange
Willem-Alexander and his beautiful, stylish and very personable wife
Princess Maxima.
So join me in wishing Her Majesty the Queen a wonderful birthday!
Links:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE QUEEN AND MANY MORE OF THEM
Posted by: Jamie | April 30, 2008 at 05:27
Hey Jamie!
Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. I will pass on your birthday wishes!
Posted by: lennybruce | April 30, 2008 at 10:21
Driewerf hoera!
Posted by: Jasper | April 30, 2008 at 10:58