Every year Prinsjesdag is a highlight for this Orange fan and regulation officer. How do they get through today?
Piet Jelsma (49), owner of the Mini Oranje Museum Oosterwolde
“The grandstand along Het Lange Voorhout in The Hague has been my regular spot on Prinsjesdag in recent years,” says Piet Jelsma. “The carriage passes it twice, and then you have about a minute to wave to the king or queen, or no, I have to say, wave. On the way there to Willem-Alexander, because he is always on the right in the back of the carriage, and on the way back to Máxima, in her permanent place next to it. That moment is always important to me and others in the stands, because then we can see the queen’s dress. ”
He is disappointed that “the pomp and circumstance” is canceled this year. “Since a friend of mine, also an orange collector, took me about five years ago, I have been infected with the Prinsjesdag virus. Every year I put on my orange shirt and shoes and I put on my big orange hat and we go to the royal city. ”
Jelsma, administrative assistant orthopedics, has a so-called Mini Oranje Museum in his hometown. “I’m quite an orange fan and collector, that takes quite extreme forms.” What started with a spoon that I received in primary school when Beatrix was crowned queen, has now become a small museum on the top floor of Jelsma’s house in Oosterwolde.
“I don’t know if they recognize me”
The showpiece is a silver bracelet made of Wilhelmina dimes, made during the Second World War. “I only get them out on request, or on special occasions.” The Frisian also has a handwritten postcard of Princess Armgard von Cramm, Prince Bernhard’s mother in his collection.
Jelsma tries to see the royal couple as often as possible: “I know that Willem-Alexander and Máxima will soon also be visiting Friesland, where I live, but the exact location is kept secret. People are afraid of an influx of people and that is of course not possible now. Otherwise I would have gone there. I’ve already given them Fryske Dúmkes, a locally made biscuit, a few times. I don’t know if they recognize me, but they know the gift by now. The last time I brought it, Queen Máxima immediately said: “These are Frisian cookies.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot follow this Prinsjesdag live because of an emergency response course at work, but when the royal couple arrive at the Grote Kerk around one o’clock, I secretly switch in. And in the evening I stretch out on the couch and look back at everything. ”
“I suspect that Máxima is wearing a sober dress this year. I don’t think it is appropriate to be very uncomfortable. Also, I am not wearing my orange costume this year. I actually hope that the parade will continue next year, and that we can then celebrate twice. ”
Robert van den Berg (57), Settlement Officer of the Cavalry Honorary Escort
“It is crazy not to be in The Hague with the Cavalry Honorary Escort on this Budget Day”, Robert van den Berg admits. Normally riders on horseback from this reserve unit accompany the Golden or Glass Coach. They can be recognized by the attila, the dress uniform with blue braid and a fur hat. “But this year I will be following the day very carefully online. On normal Prince’s Days, and also at other celebrations of the Royal House, the Honorary Escort provides the ceremonial part. Who is responsible for this edition? ”
Van den Berg has not been driving with the squadron himself for thirteen years. Since then he has been keeping an eye on the behavior and fitness of the horses during the procession, together with a horse doctor. “We inspect the animals just before departure and during the speech from the throne. We have about 80 horses every year, of which 64 will eventually participate. You have to think of it as a football team. If one is out of shape or out of shape, we will not draw it up. Of course they are also extensively tested before Prinsjesdag, so we never really have to change a horse on the day itself. ”
Van den Berg selects the horses that join the procession as rhythm master. “Horses from the National Police, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and from the Royal Stables run with them, but the special thing about our unit is that we ride horses from private individuals. I always try to find it. Because I am a reservist, in addition to this position I also work as a manager at Voermeesters, which supplies horse feed to retail chains and stables, among others. That’s why I have quite a few connections in the world. ”
“Normally we would do a beach exercise now”
“I spend the whole year lobbying on behalf of the Honorary Escort, and selecting and training horses and riders for our squadron. Normally there are five or six practice days throughout the year, during which we test all kinds of driving skills. The horses are also here in the vicinity of The Hague about five days before Prinsjesdag in preparation. ”
But this year the procession is canceled and that feels strange. Van den Berg: “The last few days I always thought: ‘It is ten o’clock, normally we do a beach exercise now’, or ‘We would make the final selection around this time.’ . ”
“This year I’m going to follow everything directly on my computer. I am very interested to see how this edition differs from normal Prinsjesdagen. Next year I hope that everything will be back to normal. Not just for us, for everyone. ”
Also read:
Prinsjesdag is different, but still a party for democracy
The typical exuberance of Prinsjesdag is hard to find today. Nevertheless, parliamentary democracy has cause for a small celebration.
Read also: The man of “Long live the King”: “The soul of Prinsjesdag, which remains”
Prinsjesdag also has to change due to the corona crisis. The chairman of the Senate, Jan Anthonie Bruijn, was looking for new ways, with respect for tradition and ceremonial.
