The Oranges received hundreds of flowers, drawings and items. But where are all the presents?

While in previous editions the royal cart had to leave, this year three cargo bikes followed the procession. The front one was driven by Willem Longbottom of Scouting Erica. Together with five other scouts, he had an important task on Saturday.

New cargo

From a mosaic of your own dog to cute drawings by and for the princesses. Everything first came into the hands of a king, queen, prince or princess. They expertly passed on the gifts to members of the court. A security guard or adjutant checked the items for possible danger. Then it arrived in Willem’s cargo bike.

“It was quickly packed,” says his own adjutant Lotte (16) of the scouting group from Emmen. “At the quiz at the church we transferred everything into bags to make room for a new load.” And that turns out to be no unnecessary luxury, because the trophy for the quiz that was just won by Team Máxima is already being presented.

Scouting Emmen and Erica had asked the municipality in advance if they could play a role in the route. Lotte: “Máxima is the patroness of Scouting Nederland, so we hoped it would work out. But it was a great honor that we were allowed to go along for the entire walk.”

Perishables

After the walk, all items were handed in to the Royal Household Office and photographed. Perishable goods are distributed among the three hundred employees of the Royal House. Sometimes a nursing home in the area is also decorated with flowers.

The rest goes into the royal store. Books to the library, expensive art to the art collection. The latter will probably not apply to most of the home crafts brought from Emmen. After five years, the archive of King’s Day in Emmen is being examined again. The most typical things of the day then go to the eternal archive.

Supporters

For example, a trowel and shovel from a planted tree or homemade face masks from corona times are now stored there. Possibly in five years’ time the artificial roses and beautiful drawings of the Van den Brink family from Renswoude will also go there. Sanne (11), Marilyn (6) and Rosalie (3) were at the front early on Saturday with their presents.

There is certainly a chance that their drawings and other papers from today will still be seen by members of the royal family. For example, last November the royal couple invited several letter writers to the palace for a good conversation. During birthdays of the royal family, Orange supporters regularly come to the gates of Huis ten Bosch to deliver something themselves. In Emmen the king himself came to collect his presents. He ignored the croquette and other snacks.