Pool photograph by Robin Utrecht
People lay injured after a car careened into a holiday parade that included Queen Beatrix
and the royal family in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn on Thursday.
I had planned a funny little story to explain this quintessential Dutch holiday to my readers. It is a day when the entire Netherlands becomes one huge garage sale where everyone from 8 to 80 puts out their trash and treasures for others to purchase typically spending their gains buying similar trash and treasure from a neighboring 'salesperson'. It's usually great fun with food, fireworks, and music, but today at least four people have been killed and dozens injured in a vicious attack intended on the Royal Family. Details are only just emerging.
Dutch Royal Family
Unlike other royals, the Dutch Royals, headed by Queen Beatrix (middle in lavender) are quite down-to-earth. Although descended from the historic Orange Family, with a strong Protestant legacy, these royals are equally beloved in this tiny country from east to west, and north to south, which is strongly Catholic. Queen's Day is a national day off that occurs each April 30th, and this year offers a long holiday weekend with May 5th, Liberation Day, another holiday, falling on a Tuesday. For now the festive feeling is gone.
Martijn was not a big fan of this particular holiday, mostly shunning crowds and loud music. But like his compatriots, he was fond of the Dutch Royals since they represent the best of an antiquated system, using their power and influence to do much good across the country and beyond. On a day that should have been filled with mirth and merriment innocent bystanders are maimed and slaughtered. My heart goes out to the friends and families of those touched by this tragedy.
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