Celebrating King Willem-Alexander's Birthday: Street Parties Amid Remembering a Pope
Monarch King Willem-Alexander joins a lively street celebration.
Get ready for some festivities! The Dutch royal family is celebrating their beloved King Willem-Alexander's birthday with a massive street party. But there's a twist—it's also a day of mourning for Pope Francis.
Unlike other European royal families, the Dutch crew was missing from the Pope's funeral in Rome. Due to a national holiday, they couldn't attend the solemn ceremony. Instead, they're making merry near the German border, hosting a jubilee reception for their king.
Willem-Alexander acknowledged that this day had "two faces." He referred to the memorial service for Pope Francis happening simultaneously in Rome's St. Peter's Square. According to the king, Pope Francis touched "the core of what life is about" with his messages of love, humanity, and mutual care[1]. These sentiments resonate with the annual King's Day, a celebration that symbolizes unity[1].
Prime Minister Dick Schoof represented the Netherlands at the papal funeral. Meanwhile, in Doetinchem, there were hearty cheers for Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and their older daughters—Crown Princess Amalia and Princess Alexia. The 18-year-old Princess Ariane was absent due to her exam preparations at an Italian college.
In Doetinchem, the royal family was welcomed by city and regional personalities. Photos on the royal house's Instagram page show the family dressed to impress, with Máxima donning a dark blue A-line dress, gloves, a scarf, and a fascinator, while the heir apparent matched her father's light blue tie with her dress. Alexia opted for a wide-legged black leather skirt, a black leather jacket, a white shirt, a colorful handbag, and red heels.
A clip shows the four dancing with the community to the music of a country band, accompanied by motorcycles and bicycles[2]. As the royal family made their way to the center of Doetinchem, they were met with enthusiastic applause.
The royal family can also rejoice in an increase in their popularity ratings. A recent King's Day survey commissioned by the public broadcaster NOS showed that 62% of the Dutch currently support the monarchy[1]. The royal family's trust levels have also rebounded after years of doubt and criticism of their leadership. According to NOS, trust in King Willem-Alexander has grown from 44% in 2020 to 51% in 2021[1]. However, these figures are still lower than the rates witnessed when King Willem-Alexander assumed the throne in 2013.
- Slight MisstepDuring the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the royal family faced criticism for breaching COVID-19 guidelines[3].
- Fortunes TurningDespite facing challenges, the royal family enjoyed a growth in popularity in recent times, with 59% of the Dutch now supporting the monarchy[1].
Sources:[1] ntv.de/gut/dpa/spot[2] Instagram/Royal House of the Netherlands[3] The Guardian/2021-04-01
- The Dutch community celebrated King Willem-Alexander's birthday with a massive street party, while also acknowledging the memorial service for Pope Francis in Rome.
- Prime Minister Dick Schoof represented the Netherlands at the papal funeral, while Willem-Alexander reflected on the Pope's messages of love, humanity, and mutual care.
- Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and their older daughters were welcomed with cheers in Doetinchem, where photos on Instagram revealed their impeccable attire.
- Máxima wore a dark blue A-line dress, gloves, a scarf, and a fascinator, while Willem-Alexander wore a light blue tie to match his daughter Alexia's dress.
- Alexia opted for a wide-legged black leather skirt, a black leather jacket, a white shirt, a colorful handbag, and red heels.
- A clip on Instagram showed the royal family dancing with the community to the music of a country band, accompanied by motorcycles and bicycles.
- A recent King's Day survey commissioned by the public broadcaster NOS showed that 62% of the Dutch currently support the monarchy, with trust levels having rebounded after years of doubt.
- Despite facing criticism for breaching COVID-19 guidelines early in the pandemic, the royal family has enjoyed a growth in popularity in recent times, with 59% of the Dutch now supporting the monarchy.
