Apeldoorn gets ready for Queensday and Queen Beatrix' visit

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NowPublic reporter Erik in historical Red Cross uniform

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Next thursday April 30th it is Queensday in the Netherlands. On this day the Dutch celebrate their Royal House. Originally it was celebrated on the birthday of the ruling king or queen. However, since 1980 Queen Beatrix ruled that Queensday should be celebrated on the birthday of her mother, princess Juliana (contrary to the Brittish Royal House a king or queen who abdicated is not called Queenmother but princess). This ruling was probably due to the fact that Queen Beatrix' birthday is January 31th in the middle of cold winter months.

Every year on Queensday the Queen visits a town in the Netherlands. This visit is portrayed on national television and thus every year a Dutch town, sometimes more towns can promote themselves to the Netherlands. The only other time this happens is with Sinterklaas another Dutch national holiday!

This year the Queen will visit Apeldoorn, the town in which the royal palace "Het Loo" is located, where Queen Mary of England has lived. As it is the 100th birthday of former queen Juliana (known as princess Juliana by the current generation) the city of Apeldoorn organised an historic tour and defilé. Part of this tour is the Red Cross department of Apeldoorn. Here is a small glimps of the old uniforms the Red Cross in the Netherlands has worn.

Besides the historical tour and defilé at the palace het Loo there are many cultural activities in the city of Apeldoorn. The Queen, crown prince and his wife, princess Maxima and their kids will visit the Oranje Park were young kids will play games and hold some traditional dances. In the city centre young adults can enjoy themselves with concerts and dance parties. All around the city there are many fleamarktes were people can shop and eat and drink.

The Queensday will go on long after the Queen and her family has left the city. The local authorities and Red Cross expect nearly a 150.000 visitors. Quite a large influx of people for a city with a 150.000 inhabitants itself. For all tourist in the Netherlands wishing to see this event the advise is to travel by train. From Amsterdam to Apeldoorn it takes about 50 minutes by train. The station of Apeldoorn is located in the city centre and will drop you in the middle of the festivities!