Royal family visited Emmen: ‘Could have done much less’

NOS News•today, 4:38 PM

“I understand that if something is very fantastic, you say: ‘It could be less’. I tell you: ‘This King’s Day, it could be much less’.” With these words, King Willem-Alexander concluded his visit to Emmen today.

The birthday king traveled with his family this morning to the city in the southeast of Drenthe. It was the first time in more than twenty years that the royal family celebrated King’s Day or Queen’s Day in this province.

Early in the day people had gathered in Emmen to catch a glimpse of the Oranjes. After arriving around 11 a.m., the royal family began a tour through the city center.

The Oranje handed out tompouces, played old Dutch games and took part in a quiz about Drenthe. The team of Queen Máxima, Prince Bernhard, Princess Annette and Princess Aimée won this quiz. The fanatical queen took out her phone at the last question to calculate an answer.

Along the way, Máxima was given an Argentinian croquette and Prince Floris was allowed to take a seat behind a DJ table. The royal family also walked past Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen, the successor to the former Noorder Dierenpark.

There were mainly Orange fans along the route, but demonstrators also made themselves heard. A group of about thirty people held up protest signs in a demonstration area. Willem-Alexander waved briefly at the demonstrators, but did not stand still.

Willem-Alexander was not the only birthday boy in Emmen. Laura, who turned 46 today, was also along the route. With a banner she let the king, who turned 57 today, know that she wanted a kiss from him.

Mission accomplished: fan gets birthday kiss from king

The entire royal family was present in Emmen today. Princess Ariane is studying in Italy, but is temporarily back in the Netherlands. Her eldest sister Amalia recently returned from Spain. She lived in Madrid for a year because of the threats against her in the Netherlands. Amalia said that she had found “a little more freedom” in Madrid.

It was the first time that the princess spoke about her time in Spain:

Amalia about time in Spain: ‘I was able to find my freedom a little more there’

Princess Alexia revealed a little about the content of the gap year she is currently doing. She said that she has been able to travel and “get to know many different cultures”. She also “worked a bit”. What she will do next year remains a mystery. “I will let you know when I know,” said the princess.

The princesses were dressed quite modestly, says NOS editor Susan Sjouwerman, who writes a lot about fashion. “It looks mature and it is clear that Amalia and also Ariane understand the art of monochrome dressing: they dress in one color, and that immediately makes it look chic.” Alexia had opted for a more daring outfit with a burgundy coat, according to Sjouwerman. “That’s what we’re used to from her.”

Fashion expert and royalty reporter Josine Droogendijk managed to identify the princesses’ outfits. For example, Amalia wore a dress from the French brand Bash. Alexia wore a dress from Sézane, another French brand, and Ariane was seen in a suit from Max Mara. “These are beautiful brands that can be bought in the shopping street,” says Sjouwerman.

The day in Emmen ended with a performance by the Drenthe musician Daniël Lohues. In his speech of thanks, the king said 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 getting away from here'”, referring to the song of the same name by Lohues.

Willem-Alexander: ‘Emmen has become part of my heart, I’m getting away from here’