King's Day in the Netherlands
Today is a party in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and abroad where Dutch expats reside. We celebrate the 50th birthday of our King Willem-Alexander. This is accompanied by various festivities, such as free markets, fairs, performances, music and lots of orange clothing.
Traditionally, the monarch also pays a ceremonial visit to a municipality on this day, this year he is going to Tilburg with Maxima and other members of the royal family.
The King's Night is celebrated in various cities. It was cold, but it hardly rained. In Utrecht it was quite busy at the annual free market. There were hundreds of thousands of people there.
Interview
Yesterday on TV there was a candid and rather personal interview with our king. During his conversation with interviewer Wilfried de Jong, he became emotional when he spoke about the death of his brother Friso and the plane crash with MH17.
The king received De Jong for a conversation at his home, on the De Eikenhorst estate. It was a conversation about life, his family, important events and funny, but also emotional moments. A conversation about 50 years of Willem-Alexander: the man, not the king, who “turns 50 but still really feels 30.”
More support for the monarchy, confidence in king increased
Seventy percent of the Dutch support the monarchy. This is evident from the annual King's Day survey. That is a lot more than last year, when support for the monarchy remained at 65 percent. The revival coincides with a slight increase in confidence in King Willem-Alexander.
Before the accession in 2013, 78 percent of the people supported the monarchy. After that, confidence gradually declined, but that trend has now reversed. The respondents rate the king with a score of 7,6. That is also slightly higher than last year. Queen Máxima is still the most popular member of the royal house with an 8.
Thailand
King's Day is also celebrated extensively in Thailand. The NVT with departments in Bangkok, Pattaya and Hua Hin/Cha am organize a cozy get-together with music, artists, Dutch snacks and Oranjebitter.
We, my Thai wife and I are also celebrating King's Day here in Warin Chamrap, I bought 2 bottles of Chang beer, my wife doesn't drink alcohol, BBQ'n a few homemade bratwurst with carrot mash (orange) and hit it!
Nice idea, that orange carrot stamp and so far from home, congratulations from Brussels.
What a fantastic man, unbelievable how well he does it!
What a pity that Mr. De Jong did not take the trouble to dress according to the prevailing standards of courtesy and wear a tie for the interview.
How wonderful to see that all members of 'the family' can enjoy themselves so enthusiastically among the audience. This mainly applies to the three Princesses where I think this is quite a task. Congratulations young ladies!
We can be proud of our Royal Family.
An example for many.
Celebrated the party here in Brussels with great enthusiasm and compassion. You just have to do the job of King while you might prefer eg. wanted to become a pilot. A huge sacrifice that few people have to make and that deserves a rich return. Most of us enjoy the monarchical spectacle, but few wonder whether Willem Alexander enjoys it as much. But in spite of everything, he always does what is required of him: CHAPEAU!