If you haven’t been living under a rock, then you surely know that the Netherlands has a monarch. Following the abdication of Queen Beatrix on 30 April 2013, Willem-Alexander became the very first Dutch king in the last hundred years. Holland is one of the many European countries that didn’t abolish its monarchy. Not only is the royal family here to stay but also the people are glad that things are this way. It’s true that the Netherlands is a fairly young monarchy, yet it’s changing things, helping preserve the cultural and religious heritage of the nation. In Western Europe, the Dutch royal family is renowned, despite the fact that they try to maintain a low profile. In this article, we’ll present some interesting facts about the royal family of the Netherlands.
1. Willem-Alexander sewed his own wetsuit
After graduating from elementary school, the King completed his secondary education at Atlantic College, which is located in Wales. Willem-Alexander spent 2 years in the rainy Wales, from where he received his International Baccalaureate. Queen Beatrix, his mother, dropped him off to school – a moment that was immortalized by TV cameras. Atlantic College received an award for innovation, so it’s a pretty good choice for anyone looking to receive a good education. Travelling from the UK to the Netherlands has never been easier. Now, you can make a Netherlands Schengen visa appointment in London. The educational institution has a strong mindset, placing emphasis on international tolerance. The king of the Netherlands joined the lifeboat service. Willem-Alexander remembers when he once has to sew his wetsuit. If only more men knew how to sew.
2. Members of the royal family don’t wear crowns
It may be a rule for some royals, yet not for the Dutch. As odd as it may seem, the royal family of the Netherlands doesn’t have a crown. The crown that they had was donated to a foundation, which they currently administer. The ornamental headpiece was created in 1840 for king Willem II, being made from silver plated with gold, who refused to be crowned. It’s interesting to note that there are no precious stones in the crown. Put simply, it doesn’t contain diamonds or pearls. Sadly, the headdress isn’t put on public display. The last time when the crown saw the day of light was in 2013.
3. The King’s birthdays is celebrated in a peculiar way
For more than 100 years, the Dutch have been happily celebrating the monarch’s birthday. Koninginnedag, as it’s commonly referred to, takes place on the 27thof April. For the birthday festivities, the people are allowed to sell whatever they want. This practically means that the Netherlands transforms into a market. Millions of people spill into the street and take part in the celebration. If you happen to be in Holland for the King’s birthday, you should too. You can eat like a king and, if that weren’t enough, you can join a boat party. Whatever way you decide to celebrate is just fine.
