“What started as a beautiful day ended in a terrible tragedy.” These are the words of then Queen Beatrix. During Queen’s Day 2009 in Apeldoorn, 38-year-old Karst T. drove his car into the crowd and came to a stop against the De Naald monument. Seven bystanders were killed and dozens were injured. Today we reflect on this fatal day.
It is April 30, 2009. The city of Apeldoorn is preparing for a big celebration: Queen’s Day. The crowd turns orange and eagerly looks for a spot along the route to catch a glimpse of the royal family.
Festive start
The day starts like all other Queen’s Days with lots of fun and fun. Games are played, photos are taken and conversations are had with people on the sidelines.
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Queen Beatrix at the start of Queen’s Day 2009.
Prince Maurits still poses with the public at the start of Queen’s Day 2009.
Then Queen Beatrix with Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima.
Tragic outcome
Just before noon the atmosphere changes drastically. A passenger car drives straight through the crowd and comes to a stop against the De Naald monument. The driver, Karst Tates, is targeting the royal family. The open bus in which the royal family is currently traveling is not affected. A total of eight people die, including the perpetrator himself. Dozens of others are injured. Everyone who sees the attack is in deep shock.
Photographer Patrick van Katwijk is there and takes a photo that is sent around the world. “You hear those bangs and you don’t know what it is,” says Van Katwijk in the Blauw Bloed podcast. “Then you turn around and you see a car coming towards you, while people are flying through the air. I really had no idea what was happening. My brain was going all over the place, but I still kept pointing my camera at that bus. It was kind of automatic.”
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The open bus with a shocked royal family is led away shortly after the attack.
The sigh
At the end of Queen’s Day 2009, Queen Beatrix gives an impressive speech that starts with a long, deep sigh. “What started as a beautiful day has ended in a terrible tragedy. That has shocked us all deeply. People who were close to it, who saw it happen on television. All who experienced it will be in amazement and disbelief. watched.”
“We are speechless that something so terrible could have happened,” the queen continues. “My family, but I think everyone in this country, sympathizes with the victims, with their family and friends.”
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Support for victims and relatives
The royal family has been deeply affected by the attack and has been involved with all victims and their relatives from the first moment. Several members of the royal family, including Queen Beatrix, Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven, visit injured people in hospital.
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On May 2, 2009, Queen Beatrix visits the Isala clinic in Zwolle, where a victim of the attack is staying during Queen’s Day.
A memorial service will take place on May 8, 2009 to commemorate the victims, and members of the royal family will also be present.
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From left to right: Princess Maxima, Prince Willem-Alexander, Queen Beatrix, Princess Margriet and Mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven.
A year later, in 2010, a memorial monument was unveiled in Apeldoorn.
April 29, 2010: Queen Beatrix is in Apeldoorn at the memorial.
April 29, 2010: Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima are also present at the unveiling of the monument.
Image: ANP / YouTube Royal House
