Prince Willem-Alexander will ascend to the throne in the Kingdom of the Netherlands today following the abdication of his mother, Queen Beatrix, who governed for 33 years. Her mother and grandmother before her also abdicated making room for the young to have the honor of serving. I actually saw Queen Beatrix in May 1995 on the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Holland at the end of World War II. She came on her boat to a major canal in Amsterdam to join the festivities which included a massive light show and music from American, British, Canadian and Dutch bands. I recall being impressed with the frogmen who were on her boat. When it dropped anchor in the canal about eight of them were over the side, checking the bottom and the canal. (They brought back memories of the 1960's when frogmen would check the hull of Polaris carrying submarines as they prepared to leave Pier Bravo at the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek, SC.) When they were finished the frogmen disappeared as quickly as they appeared. The Queen then came out of her quarters into view amidst cheering and applause from the multitudes.
The festive crowd along the canal was so massive and packed together one could hardly move. When someone asked if I wanted a beer and I replied, one appeared in my hand as if by magic.
I had the opportunity to talk that day with some Canadian veterans of WWII. It was they who liberated Holland. One told me he was on the trip courtesy of the Dutch government. "All I had to do was show up at the airport in Canada. I have not been able to spend a dollar since." The Dutch picked up the tab for all the living Canadian veterans.
For about 120 years today, April 30, has been "Queen's Day" in the Netherlands. From now it will be "King's Day." Long live the King.
