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Queensday

Queensday or Koninginnedag (Dutch) is a national holiday, associated with a number of public festivals. It is held in honor of the Queen's birthday. The annual celebrations are attended by the Queen and other royals. These visits are aired live on TV. The holiday was established by Princess Wilhelmina on August 31, 1889. This was done on the proposal of the Liberal Party with the aim to inspire national unity. The last day of August was the official end of the summer, thus presenting a convenient alternative to harvest festivals. As the festivity was established prior to Wilhelmina's inauguration, it was referred to Prinsessedag (Princess Day) at the beginning. The first Queensday proper was celebrated in 1891, after Wilhelmina succeeded William III to the Dutch throne. During her reign Queensday was celebrated on August 31, and it was also a school holiday. The queen became ill in the early 20th century, and when she recovered the holiday became more popular than ever. The royal attendance of this event is a relatively new trend - during Wilhelmina's reign royals only attended Queensday festivities on very special occasions, like her 50th birthday in 1930.

Queensday was celebrated on April 30 during the subsequent reign of Queen Juliana. Her grandmother, Queen Emma, received flowers on her birthday on August 2, and this tradition was continued in favour of Juliana on her respective birthday, which fell on April 30. Queensday was celebrated on this day following her coronation in 1948. The event was marked by a humble parade prior to this, but it grew in terms of public significance later, and was even televised after 1950. It became an official national holiday in 1948.

Juliana relinquished the throne for the benefit of her daughter Beatrix in 1980, who maintained the April 30th tradition in respect of her mother. Another important consideration was that Beatrix's birthday was on January 31, and it was impossible to hold street festivals in harsh winter conditions.

Queensday has been modernized of late, and today it is the only day when traders are allowed to set up market stands in the street. Amsterdam is the chief festival site. The tradition has given way to a domestic flea market of sorts, in this regard at least. This is just as well in terms of balance, because official businesses are not allowed to operate on this national holiday. Local merchants prepare for this day a long time in advance, marking their chosen trade sites on the street with crosses and other symbols several days beforehand. You will find some excellent goods and interesting souvenirs at discounts at the markets. This custom also presents a chance to witness the vibrant local colour and experience the essence of Dutch spirit. On this day the Queen visits two towns in the countryside. This event traditionally receives wide media coverage.

The holiday is also a multinational event, with 750 000 tourists on average flocking to Amsterdam on that day, most of which come by train. If you decide to join the festivities, be sure you can stand the noise and bustle. If you can manage that, it is all a piece of cake from then on. You are in for some great treats and surprises.

The official holiday colour is orange, after the historical Prince of Oranje Willem van Nassau, who led Holland to independence from Spain in the 16th century and consequently set the basis of the Dutch monarchy as we known it.