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European RoyalsThe Netherlands

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attend King’s Day concert with Ukrainian flavour

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima travelled to the Dutch city of Maastricht for the traditional King’s Day concert. 

Arriving in the city’s Theater aan het Vrijthof in the evening of Monday, 11 April, Their Majesties were greeted by attendants of the event, which is offered roughly one month before King’s Day to all personnel involved in the organisation of the monarch’s birthday. 

The idea came in 1985 from Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus, and, until 2013, the concert was held at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. Since 2014, when Willem-Alexander became King, the show has taken place in the city where the Royal Family celebrates King’s Day. 

Maastricht was the city selected for 2022, and the theme of the concert was “The sounds of the city, the sounds of the region.” The entire Royal Family will be returning to the city on 27 April to celebrate King’s Day with the local population. 

During the concert, there was a succession of artists and ensembles performing. From the South Netherlands Philharmonic to cellist Eline Hensels, from the Opera Zuid to carillonneur Frank Steijns, along with many more, the public got to enjoy pieces by famous composers like Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Camille Saint-Saëns. 

But along with classical music that has connections to the region, there was also a touching performance by violinist Liza Ferschtman and pianist Arthur Jussen of a piece by Ukrainian composer Boris Lyatoshinsky, a poignant homage to a country that has been enduring a senseless invasion at the hands of Russia. 

Ms Ferschtmanhad already performed last month to raise money for Ukraine, part of the Netherlands’ effort to support the country and the many charitable organisations organising relief for both the people displaced internally and the millions of refugees that have fled Ukraine since the beginning of the war. 

Towards the end of March, the Royal House announced that the King had approved the use of Het Oude Loo Castle to host up to 30 Ukrainian refugees fleeing the horrors of the Russian invasion.