Who would say that there is some truth in that stereotype of coldness often applied to the Dutch when seeing how they enjoy without prejudices and with total abandonment every 27th of April to celebrate King's Day. This Monday is no exception. In all the towns of the Netherlands, street parties are organized, and citizens paint their faces, wear all kinds of orange garments, and many even succumb to wearing crowns, whether cardboard or tin, as the occasion truly deserves it. Everything is dyed orange, indeed, because it is the color of the House of Orange dynasty, a lineage with many centuries of history that has ruled the modern United Kingdom of the Netherlands since its foundation in the 19th century.
And, naturally, the Dutch royal family, known for their love of a good party, does not miss out on the fun. What would seem unthinkable in almost any other European Monarchy is a tradition in this case. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, along with their daughters and other close relatives, mingle with the common people every year in a town in the country, and spend the day with them enjoying the same street games, outdoor markets, impromptu picnics, and many jugs of beer, as the frothy liquid flows by the liters and down the throats of the Dutch as if there were no tomorrow.
Although Koningsdag -or King's Day-, the national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is celebrated on the 27th of April because it is the monarch's birthday, the true star of the day always ends up being Queen Maxima, who on this occasion has the perfect opportunity to show her down-to-earth nature and manages to win people over with her spontaneity. But, furthermore, Maxima has reasons to be elated this year.
Polls are once again smiling on the Dutch monarchy, consolidating an upward trend in the popularity of the House of Orange that was already evident in 2015, after several years in which scandals—such as the ill-timed lavish vacation of the king and queen in Greece during the pandemic—had shaken the institution. 62% of citizens now support the monarchy, compared to a mere 20% who would prefer a republic—two points lower than in the previous poll—according to the Ipsos I&O study published to mark King's Day. As for the popularity of the royal family members, Máxima, as almost always, achieves the highest score, with 7.5; followed by Crown Princess Amalia, with 7.3; and King Willem-Alexander, with 6.9. The queen's popularity is, of course, stratospheric. And this fact is explained both by her work - she is, of all the European Consorts, the one who performs the most functions and who has a real agenda that lives up to what is expected in the 21st century, hopefully, without going any further, Queen Letizia was as utilized as she is - as well as by her friendliness and the approachability she exudes.
Queen Maxima never misses a chance to be part of viral moments. Just recently, during the stay of the royal couple in Miami, specifically in the heart of Little Havana, she did something no one could have imagined. Without hesitation, the Argentine-born Consort joined in a game of dominoes at the iconic Domino Park in Little Havana with several Cuban men, delighted to have a queen as their opponent who had a great time and didn't hold back in showing her competitive side. These kinds of situations, which come naturally to her, give the Dutch Monarchy a veneer of modernity and closeness that are highly praised.
The visit to Miami was the final stop of an extremely important work trip by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima to the United States, which had as its highlight the unprecedented reception given to them by Donald Trump at the White House, reflecting their personal chemistry. The royals had the privilege of staying in the so-called Lincoln Bedroom, very close to Trump's quarters. It is one of the most emblematic rooms in the White House, where the famous president who issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring slaves free in the rebellious Confederate states used to sleep. It was also where Theodore Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge had their beds. Although the visit of the royals to Trump in the current context, marked by the war in Iran and by the Republican's attacks on NATO allies and "decadent" Europe, divided the Dutch, with some considering it appropriate and others not, the truth is that Willem and Maxima scored a diplomatic win with the gesture of the American leader reserved for very few world leaders.
The kings are celebrating this Koningsdag in the town of Dokkum (Friesland), with a program that will showcase the distinguished guests the regional culture and community participation, with stops highlighting local traditions, sports demonstrations, historical references to the Elfstedentocht, and performances by residents from all over northeastern Friesland, as reported by local media. The route will feature thematic segments focused on their own language - Frisian, heritage, and regional identity, before concluding at De Helling with a public gathering, live music, and a ceremonial toast.
Willem and Maxima have been in the small city of 12,000 inhabitants since Sunday. And on the eve of the grand royal day, they attended a concert at the Sense Theatre in Dokkum, along with Princess Beatrix - the former queen and mother of the current monarch.