Remembrance and Liberation Day: May 4 and 5, 2004-2023


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Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven attended the annual meeting and parade on the occasion of the 1945 National Capitulation Remembrance in Wageningen today, May 5:


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And King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima this evening at the May 5 concert in Amsterdam, the conclusion of the National Celebration of Liberation:


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According Delpher - the database of Dutch newspapers, the young princesses Beatrix and Irene joined their parents in a specifial service in the Great- or Saint James' Church in The Hague in 1955. In that year the Netherlands celebrated 10 years of Liberation.

In the years after the princesses Beatrix and Irene joined their parents for a Remembrance in Baarn (the municipality where Soestdijk Palace is located). Back then the wreath laying at the National Monument (the Queen and the Prince only) was at Noon. It was tradition to do the Remembrance at 20 o'clock in the own hometown.

Interesting, in those years Princess Wilhelmina also did attend Remembrances but in most articles is stated that her Dame du Palais, Henriette de Savornin-Lohman van Hasselt and her Particulier Secretaresse Jeanette Geldens layed a wreath on behalf of the Princess, while she remained seated in a car and looked on.

In 1966 the freshly married Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus did attend the Remembrance in Baarn. They lived at Drakensteyn Estate so it was in their own municipality. Princess Irene was no longer in the Royal House. For the first time Princess Margriet did attend a Remembrance as well: together with her fiancé Pieter van Vollenhoven she was in the dunes near The Hague where the Nazis executed (murdered) hundreds of people.

In 1970 the Remembrance was in The Hague: 25 years of Liberation. The Queen, the Prince, Princess Beatrix, Prince Claus, Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven were at a apecial solemn Act in the Hall of Knights. Also then, as usual, the wreath laying in Amsterdam was at Noon: the Queen and the Prince only.

In 1976 Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus were travelling in Israel at 4 and 5 May.

In 1980 was the first wreath laying by Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus. Now at 16.00 o'clock in the afternoon. It was 4 days after the worst riots Amsterdam has seen, at Investiture Day 1980.

In the 1980's the public attendance was rapidly declining. The National Committee 4 and 5 May moved the National Remembrance to 20.00 o'clock in 1988. And it came on live television (before that it was only on radio !). With success: Dam Square is always packed.

Because of the illness of Prince Claus, the Prince of Orange used to escort the Queen. Princess Beatrix herself did attend the last Remembrance of Queen Juliana in 1979. So apparently it is not at all tradition that other members of the Royal House do attend the National Remembrance.
 
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Princess Margriet attended the commemoration at the National Merchant Marine Monument 'De Boeg' in Rotterdam this morning:


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And King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were present at the National Commemoration on Dam Square in Amsterdam:


** ppe gallery ** anp gallery ** anp gallery 2 ** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery **



Princess Margriet and Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven together with Prince Pieter-Christiaan attended the National Military Remembrance Day at the Military Field of Honor Grebbeberg in Rhenen:


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Princess Margriet looked very moved during the ceremony :previous:
 
Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven attended the annual meeting in Wageningen on the occasion of the National Remembrance Capitulations 1945 today, May 5:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** anp gallery **


King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attended the May 5 concert in Amsterdam, the conclusion of the National Celebration of Liberation, this evening:


** ppe gallery ** anp gallery ** rex gallery **
 
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