King concludes King’s Day in Emmen: it could have been less
King Willem-Alexander is grateful that he was able to celebrate King’s Day in Emmen this year. “Emmen is a very strong city where you would like to live, where everything happens,” said the king in his speech of thanks to the audience. “And I also understand that if something is very fantastic, you say: it could have been less I tell you this King’s Day: it could have been done much less.” It was the first time in more than twenty years that King’s Day or Queen’s Day was celebrated in Drenthe.
The king said in his speech of thanks that Emmen ‘planted a seed’ in him and that the city in Drenthe has become ‘part of my heart’. “Every time I return to the province or to Emmen, I say: I’m coming from here,” he said, referring to the song of the same name by Drenthe singer Daniël Lohues.
The royal family walked through the city on Saturday and spoke to residents about life in Emmen. The Oranjes also took part in a quiz about Drenthe – won by the team of Queen Máxima, Prince Bernhard, Princess Annette and Princess Aimée -, they handed out tompouces to the public and played old Dutch games. The king was happy that his family was complete again this year. Last year, Princess Alexia was missing due to exams. “To be able to celebrate your birthday with your own family is of course the most wonderful thing you can experience,” he said.
This King’s Day, Amalia spoke out for the first time about her time in Spain, where she lived because of serious threats in the Netherlands. “I was able to find a little more freedom there than was possible here,” said the princess. The time in Spain has made ‘life here somewhat possible again’, according to Amalia. “I am happy to be back. ” Princess Ariane talked for the first time about her studies in Italy. “It’s a very nice experience, for sure,” said 17-year-old Ariane. “I’m happy to be back, because I missed my parents.” Princess Alexia is currently on a gap year and doesn’t know yet what she will do next. “I’ll let you know when I know,” she said.
There were mainly many fans along the route, but demonstrators also made themselves heard. About thirty people from the anti-monarchist Republic movement stood in a separate demonstration area and held up a large scoreboard. It showed the number of signatures collected for a petition calling for a significant salary cut for the king. The counter stood at 8,000 signatures. Willem-Alexander waved briefly at the demonstrators, but did not stand still.
