Queen’s Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

Queen's Day, also known as 'Koninginnedag,' is commemorated with great fervour in Amsterdam at the end of April with a carnival-like event that takes place during the day and night.

The Netherlands commemorate Queen’s Day every April 30. Juliana, daughter of Princess Wilhelmina, ascended to the monarchy on September 6, 1948. The following year, the Queen’s Day festivities were shifted to her birthday, April 30. Even after her daughter Beatrix succeeded her as monarch on April 30, 1980, the holiday continued to be observed on this date. Despite having a January 31 birthday, she kept the holiday date in honour of her mother. Queen’s Day was therefore both the former monarch’s birthday and the anniversary of her coronation. Despite the fact that the day is not a national holiday in the Netherlands, some institutions and businesses do close.

The background of Queen’s Day

Queen’s Day, also known as ‘Koninginnedag,’ is commemorated with great fervour in Amsterdam at the end of April with a carnival-like event that takes place during the day and night. The celebrations are so extravagant that the entire city appears to be one massive festival. Individuals, shops, and visitors participate in the festivities.

It is also a wonderful event for tourists! Queen’s Day annually attracts approximately 700,000 visitors. This is excellent for business and exudes an upbeat vibe. On this special day, everyone is typically calm and joyful despite the crowding. Queen’s Day has been celebrated nationwide for over fifty years. However, Amsterdam’s festivities are the grandest and most joyous.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the longest-reigning monarch of the Netherlands, announced her intention to abdicate at the end of January 2013. Willem-Alexander, her eldest son, became the King of the Netherlands upon her death. The final Queen’s Day occurred on April 30, 2013, and the first King’s Day took place on April 26, 2014. Today, the Netherlands celebrates both Queen’s Day and King’s Day on April 26. People make a special effort to wear orange apparel or face paint on these national holidays. Accessories that incorporate the colour orange with royal family symbols are also extremely popular.

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QUEEN’S DAY ACTIVITIES

Orange attire is acceptable.

Put on an orange attire to celebrate Queen’s Day. You can go even further by dying your hair orange. If orange is not your favourite colour, keep to orange accessories such as a scarf or tie.

Drink ‘oranjebitter’

The traditional beverage for Queen’s Day is ‘oranjebitter.’ Orange peels steeped in a potent alcohol, such as gin, are used to create this celebratory drink.