Traditionele Koninginnedag vervangen door inhuldiging Nederlandse koning

Celebrations for Queen’s Day, one of the most important secular national holidays in the Netherlands, are cancelled and replaced by the inauguration of the new King, former Prince Willem-Alexander.

Queen Beatrix and the rest of the royal family were expected to celebrate Queen’s Day in the Noord-Holland village of De Rijp and in Amstelveen.

Late January, however, the Queen announced she would abdicate in favour of her son and the day would mark the passing of the throne instead.

On Queen’s Day, the Queen and her family traditionally visit one or two locations to attend special activities. Since on the day citizens do not need a permit to sell goods on the street, Queen’s Day sees the streets of the Netherlands turn into a giant flea market.

Queen’s Day is the most important secular national holiday in the Netherlands. Before 1980, Queen’s day was celebrated on the birthday of Queen Juliana, Queen Beatrix’s mother. Queen Beatrix, who assumed the thrown that year, kept celebrations on Juliana’s birthday due to better weather conditions in April rather than on her birthday, which falls on January 31.

The holiday is also celebrated in the Antilles and Aruba, where, as in the Netherlands, all villages and towns are decorated with orange flags and accessories, as it represents the Royal family’s colour.

Following the change this year, next year’s celebrations will be called King’s Day and will be celebrated on April 26. The year after, the day will be marked on April 27, the new King’s birthday.