It was a wonderful ceremony. Infantry Major G.P. ("Gijs") Tuinman, a former commander of the Special Forces (Corps Commando Troops) was visibly emotioned by the honour.
The King
Queen Máxima
The Minister of Defence, Mrs J.A. Hennis-Plasschaert
The Grandmastress, M.L.A. Baroness van Zuylen van Nijevelt-den Beer Poortugael
An Aide-de-Camp from the Regiment Grenadiers
An Aide-de-Camp from the Royal Marechaussee
An Aide-de-Camp from the Marines' Corps of the Royal Navy
arrive on the Inner Court for the ceremony:
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200700_1_874704!image/3324614444.jpg
Troops are assembled on the Inner Court in The Hague:
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200293_1_874659!image/4106130323.jpg
The King, guided by the parade commandant and escorted by one of his Aide-de-Camps inspects the assembled troops:
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200718_1_874708!image/1023741768.jpg
Major G.P. Tuinman (saluting) was lined amongst a detachement of his Corps Commando Troops:
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200900_1_874703!image/2518084721.jpg
"Major Tuinman, leave the ranks!" - the major steps forward and greets the King:
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200768_1_874709!image/536887280.jpg
The King praises the brave gallantry shown in the most difficult circumstances and tells why the major has deserved this most rare decoration. Before receiving the knighthood, the major makes a solemn vow:
"I solemnly swear to act as a true and loyal knight, ever ready to have my life at stake for King and fatherland, and to prove -with all what is inside me- to be worth this dignity, allowed to me by The King. So help me God almighty!"
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200824_1_874702!image/2284445710.jpg
The King makes the major a knight in the Militaire Willems-Orde by giving a firm pat on the shoulder:
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/anp_30200378_1_874643!image/4240089353.jpg
The King and his newest knight 1:
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200422_1_874656!image/3234430938.jpg
The King and his newest knight 2:
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200574_1_874666!image/3107131517.jpg
Also other knights in the Militaire Willems-Orde give a firm pat on the shoulder:
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200639_1_874674!image/3956968519.jpg
Three Knights in the Militaire Willems-Orde together:
Infantry Major Kenneth George Mayhew (The Suffolk Regiment), Knight MWO
Infantry Major Marinus Johannes Kroon (Corps Commando Troops), Knight MWO
Infantry Major Gijs Pepijn Tuinman (Corps Commando Troops), Knight MWO
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200597_1_874669!image/3298364381.jpg
The troops march past for the King and the new knight:
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200654_1_874675!image/3306400747.jpg
The ceremony has ended, the King and Queen invite the new knight for a reception inside the Hall of Knights:
http://www.refdag.nl/polopoly_fs/30200549_1_874660!image/3342313058.jpg