Queensdag 2013..??? Crowningsday!

We are back with a new blog and not without reason, because the age long Dutch tradition Queensday is coming again. This time around in a completely new jacket, so your short-stay in Amsterdam will have a spectacular twist. This is because for the first time in 123 years Holland will have it self a King.

Our current Queen Beatrix will hand over the crown to her son Prince Willem alexander, on Queensday the 30th of April, hence he will become King Willem-Alexander. A big happening in the Netherlands which the country is very much looking forward to, as do we at Htel Serviced Apartments.

But what is going to take place on the 30th of April 2013 and were should you be at?

The complete crowning ceremony will take place in our the Nations capital of Amsterdam. Festivities will take place all around the city. As a matter of fact all around the country and even at Htel Serviced Apartments. Below you will find Htel’s highlights of Queensday 2013. Starting with our own festivities.

The Royal festivities at Htel Amsterdam – Amstelveen We will turn our entire ground floor Business Lounge into a Royal hall. As a guest at Htel Serviced Apartments you can follow all major Queensday events on the big screen. This includes delicious cupcakes and coffee and tea as is Dutch tradition.

The Royal festivities at Htel Amsterdam – Buitenveldert Our 15th floor Skylounge will be the scene for a lovely few over the city. Once again all events will be shown on our big screens. Do stop by for a drink and a bite to eat with our staff and guests. Furthermore if the firework show on the River IJ will take place, then our Skylounge is the place to watch it.

What will take place in the city?

The Inauguration of Prince Willem-Alexander Without doubt this will be the highlight of Queensday 2013. The masses will be present and if not watching it on TV. The complete inauguration will take place in the Nieuwe Kerk which is centrally located on the Dam Square. The part everyone is looking forward to is of course the Balcony Scene. Take into consideration that the Dam Square is going to be really crowded as it will hold almost 25.000 people.

The Royal Boat ride After the inauguration the freshly crowned King Willem-Alexander and the royal entourage will go for a boat ride on the river IJ behind the Amsterdam Central Station. The boat ride will take place from 18:00 until 20:00 hour and supposedly will end with a firework show (The firework show has not been confirmed officially).

Museumplein = Oranjeplein (Orange square) The biggest party on Queensday was always held on the Museumplein. This year the square will again be transformed completely, into the Orange square. The exact activities that will take place are not yet known, however it will once again be a busy spectacle.

Vondelpark Vrijmarkt (Free market) Traditionally Queensday is the occasion where everyone spreads there cloths in the streets and starts selling used goods and other stuff. Literally the whole of Holland will turn into a free market. One of the places to be is the Vondelpark in the heart of Amsterdam. For Queensday this year the theme will be children. So the place-to-be is the Vondelpark if you want to have a stroll with your family. As with every Queensday public transport lines will not run into the city center and cars are not allowed in most parts of the city center, so bring out your walking shoes.

Fun fact: Queensday which was always on the 30th of April was the birthday of Queen Beatrix’s mom and our late Queen Juliana. Queen Beatrix chose to uphold tradition and kept celebrating Queensday on the 30th of April even though her birthday is on the 31st January. Starting 2014 however Queensday will no longer be named Queensday but Kingsday and will be held on the 27th of April 2014.

Word of advice it is going to be really crowded in the city so ask us your questions through our different social media channels or at our Resident Service Desk as we can inform you about alternate routes, locations and activities.

For this special event we have created a special package to enjoy this all the hapiness of this event! Check out our special page for more information.

For more information and activities also see: http://www.koninginnedagamsterdam.nl/queensday.html

Enjoy the Royal cebrations!

With kind regards,

Nayton Craig & the Htel team

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