Queen Beatrix

However, this Tuesday, April 30, 2013, will be the last time that Queen’s Day will be celebrated in the Kingdom because in January, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, announced that on Queen’s Day this year, she would abdicate in favour of her son, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander.

Women have been the reigning monarchs in the Dutch Kingdom since 1890 when the mother of 10-year-old Wilhelmina, Queen Emma, was Regent until her daughter came of age. Wilhemina reigned for 5o years until aged 68 when she abdicated in 1948 in favour of her daughter Juliana who reigned until 1980 when, aged 70, she abdicated in her turn and her daughter Beatrix became Queen.

On Tuesday, the Dutch people will thank their Queen Beatrix for more than three decades of service to the Kingdom and celebrate the accession of a king as Head of State.

The excitement and anticipation of this “changing of the guard” handing over to a new generation in the Kingdom is intense, said Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Trinidad and Tobago, Lucita MoenirAlam.

In an interview with Sunday Newsday, MoenirAlam, said all agree that Queen Beatrix has done a splendid job and that she “is a very dedicated and inspiring woman and for me, personally, it was a great, great honour to meet her.”

What is involved in being the Queen of the Netherlands? The Queen does a lot of binding together of communities, she is present in good times and in bad, said Ambassador MoenirAlam.

“For example, when there is a disaster, when a plane crashed in the Bijlmermeer neighbourhood of Amsterdam in 1992, killing 47 people, the Queen was one of the first on the scene to show her care for the people. When there was a hurricane in the Dutch Antilles she was one of the first to express her sympathy for those who suffered in that natural disaster.

“Of course, it is the Prime Minister who commands in the political arena; the Queen can inspire, perhaps influence by her mere presence and sympathy. She receives the Prime Minister for regular meetings when she is briefed on the situation in the country. However, their conversations are strictly private, not for the public domain - they are ‘palace secrets’ and everybody respects that.

“The Queen is a formidable women with insights in all aspects of Dutch life,” the Ambassador declared.

How about tensions and problems between immigrants from former colonies in the East Indies, and Suriname?

“For the longest while the Netherlands has been a very open country,” the Ambassador said.

“Our history shows that we welcome new cultures and aid political refugees - as it was with the Hugenots fleeing for sanctuary after persecutions in France in the 16th century. The Dutch have a culture of openness and tolerance. However, in the last decade, as in the rest of Europe, the country has been flooded with immigrants; it is a continuous challenge for the Government especially in view of the current economic situation.

“The sky cannot be the limit any longer...there is a very delicate balance between remaining open and tolerant and welcoming those who are oppressed, who have difficult situations in their native lands - and at the same time taking care of the native population. I cannot stress too much the fine balance between openness and fairness to immigrants while protecting the host community way of life so that the nation continues to be as successful as in the past.

“Immigration comes in waves; at the end of the Second World War Indonesian people of mixed roots and who had fought for Queen Wilhelmina came here seeking residency - bringing with them their traditions and distinctive food, their famous and delicious ‘rijsttafel’; they have totally integrated into the Dutch Community.

Then came immigration from Suriname after that former colony’s Independence. “More recently, when the economy was booming guest workers came here from Turkey and Morocco and currently we have immigrants from East Europe, mainly from Poland.

“Integration and non-integration are big issues. In fact, a lot of European countries are changing, are becoming multicultural; it is not an easy thing, but I think it is a beautiful thing. Take my own family, for example. My parents are from Suriname, I was born and grew up in Cura?ao, completed my education in Leyden University in Holland, and am now in the Dutch diplomatic service.”

How much difference would a king would make after more than a century of queens as Heads of State?

“A few days ago I saw his interview together with his wife Princess M?xima. It was refreshing, it showed a new generation taking over,” said the Ambassador. “ I think the Queen in her wisdom considered the situation. She has given so much to the country - and she has followed the Dutch tradition of allowing her son time to be with his children. The three little princesses are growing up nicely in school, they are happy kids.

“Of course,the Crown Prince and his wife have prepared for his future role as monarch. They have attended several important state occasions and visits. I think he is very well prepared, I have met him on several occasions and he struck me as somebody who has a charming, straightforward, open Dutch personality.

“He loves sports, he has been on the International Olympic Committee, but now he is to be King he has had to step down. However, of even greater importance is the fact that he has been Water Ambassador for the United Nations and has spoken in international fora on water issues. As you know, being Dutch means water, water, water. He has chaired several important international water activities and, therefore, is accustomed to dealing with International relations.

“His wife, Princess M?xima, will be an enormous asset to him; she is not only charming and beautiful but also very intelligent. She was born in Argentina and is one, if not the most popular member of the Royal Family because she speaks Dutch fluently - which says volumes for her intelligence because Dutch is not an easy language.”

The Ambasssador also noted that the royals are committed to the issues of poverty and tolerance.

“The queen is famous for her inspiring speeches, particularly at Christmas when she highlights certain social issues dear to her heart,” she said. “We will see how the new King will do.

“The fact that the Crown Prince has announced that in future, King’s Day will be observed on his birthday, April 27, shows that he is already putting his own stamp on the monarchy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands - but the Royal Family will still be down-to-earth people - with the people and for the people.

“The celebrations will be worldwide,” declared the Ambassador, “embassies and consulates will be having very special celebrations because this is clearly both an historical and an emotional ‘changing of the guard’ because so many of us feel very closely connected to the monarchy.

“The authorities have begged people to stay away from Amsterdam, and not to pour into the city for the investiture which takes place in the Nieuwe Kerk because the hotels and guest houses have been solidly booked for months ahead of the ceremony. Queen’s Day 2013 will also be a cause for great celebration in the Netherlands Antilles and, as I mentioned before, in Dutch Embassies and Consulates around the world.

“Heads of State or their representatives and European royalty will be present for the investiture in Amsterdam and, in true Dutch tradition guests from all walks of life in Dutch society as well,” she said.

Here in Trinidad, the celebrations to mark the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the investiture of King Willem-Alexander will take place at the northern section of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA). The d?cor will be in the Dutch national colour, orange, and invited guests will be treated to Dutch cheeses, herrings, beer, “bitterballens” and a smidgen of smoked eel.