(Oranjestad)—For the past 11 years on April 27th, the Dutch Kingdom celebrates the king’s birthday. As an autonomous nation within the kingdom, Aruba also joins in on the celebration, honoring the king on this national holiday through different festivities on the island.
Last year in January, the Royal Family went on tour visiting all the Caribbean islands within the Dutch Kingdom, and Aruba was no exception. During this visit, the Royal Family had a busy itinerary that started with a morning march through the main road of Oranjestad, a meeting with the Aruban government, and a tour of the different festivities planned for the Royal Family over the course of two days. Last year was also the first year that the Crown Princess Amalia participated in the royal protocol, having the chance to meet with the locals and be acquainted with the island.
Royal visitations on Aruba is generally treasured and celebrated, as these visits to the Caribbean islands are not frequent—especially not with the company of the Crown Princess. For this reason, these royal visits are often widely publicized, and Aruba has kept a record of the visits of past and present monarchs.
Princess Beatrix’ last visit as the queen
Princess Beatrix’s last visit to Aruba as queen was on October 28th, 2011. Accompanying her was then Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife, Princess Maxima. The protocol for this visit was similar to that of today; the royal were greeted by a crowd of locals and governments officials on the streets of down-town Oranjestad.
The princess’ first visit was in 1958, during the reign of her mother, the then Queen Juliana who ruled from 1948 to 1980.
Queen Juliana unveils mother’s statue (1955)
During the reign of King Willem-Alexander’s grandmother, the then Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, the monarch visited Aruba in October of 1955. This visit was especially important, as it was the first time that a reigning monarch has paid a visit to the island. Juliana’s prior visit to Aruba was in 1944, when she was still a Crown Princess.
Queen Juliana’s visit had an important goal: She was there to unveil the statue of her mother and monarch before her, Queen Wilhelmina. The Statue was erected in what is now known as Wilhelmina Park next to the Renaissance Market Place.
