King Willem-Alexander is celebrating his 57th birthday in Emmen this year. Which relatives of the king are present at the celebration? And who are all the other people walking with the royal family along the organized route?
Het is eigenlijk geen verrassing welke leden van de koninklijke familie op 27 april langs het publiek zullen lopen. Het zijn namelijk elk jaar dezelfde personen. Maar waarom is bijvoorbeeld gravin Eloise, die populair is bij het jonge publiek, niet aanwezig, maar haar ouders wel? Het staat vast welke leden van de familie de jaarlijkse koningsdagviering met de koning bijwonen, laat de Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD) weten.
“Sinds de viering van Koningsdag is koning Willem-Alexander aanwezig met koningin Máxima en hun dochters. Daarnaast zijn zijn broer Constantijn met zijn vrouw Laurentien en de zoons van prinses Margriet met hun echtgenotes aanwezig. Van de nieuwe generatie zijn dus alleen de kinderen van de koning aanwezig.”
Of de broer en neven van de koning ook dit jaar met hun echtgenotes aanwezig zijn bij Koningsdag in Emmen, wil de RVD niet bevestigen. Hetzelfde geldt voor Amalia, Alexia en Ariane. “Dat zal iedereen zien op de ochtend van de 27e.”
Vorig jaar was prinses Alexia afwezig tijdens de jaarlijkse viering vanwege haar opleiding in Wales. Het is afwachten of de jongste telg, Ariane, de viering dit jaar zal bijwonen. Zij rondt momenteel de laatste twee jaar middelbare school af in het Italiaanse dorp Duino.
The royal family is surrounded by employees and security guards
In addition to the members of the royal family, a large group of non-family members participate in the organized route. Who are they and what is their role?
Like every year, the royal couple is welcomed by the mayor of the city in question and the King’s Commissioner, who represents the province where the celebration takes place. They accompany the family during the route in the role of host/hostess. This year they are Mayor Eric van Oosterhout and King’s Commissioner Jetta Klijnsma.
Employees of the Royal Household Service (DKH) are also present at all events that the royal family attends. “They support the royal family both in their work and in their private lives.” The king’s adjutants, among others, are present. Their task is to coordinate the preparation and performance of public performances by members of the Royal House at home and abroad.
Court ladies are always present and do so voluntarily
More visible are the men in dark suits, often with a black suitcase in hand. These are the personal security officers of the Royal and Diplomatic Security Service (DKDB). The cases contain foldable bullet-resistant screens, which can be rolled out if an incident occurs. In addition to this special police service, a large number of uniformed police officers are deployed.
The ladies-in-waiting are also always present. They work together with the king’s adjutants on the preparation and supervision of the events at which Willem-Alexander and Máxima are present together. They also have an organizational and representative role at events.
Queen Máxima has two ladies-in-waiting, who usually walk right behind her. During King’s Day they accept, among other things, the gifts that the royals receive from the public. An interesting fact: the position of maid of honor is a so-called honorary unpaid position. This means that the women do not receive a salary.
Finally, RVD employees are also present. Their role is to guide the press present.
