The Hague, The Netherlands (AP) – All over the Netherlands, people wore orange clothing from tuxedos to featherboas, and Rebel boats clogged Amsterdam’s canals to celebrate the king’s birthday on Saturday.
In a park in Amsterdam, a dog called Lucy was wearing orange fur.
“I love it. Every year, everyone just comes together and celebrates, and it doesn’t matter where everyone comes from,” said 22-year-old Dickey Van Warmerdam. “And if you look around, it’s just a huge party and who doesn’t want it?”
The official royal walkout by King Willem Alexander and his family in the eastern town of Doethynchem began an hour later than planned to avoid clashing with the funeral at Pope Francis’ Vatican.
In a video message, Willem Alexander paid tribute to Francis, saying that on the day of the Dutch celebration, he had “two faces” for the Pope’s funeral.
“For many Catholics and non-Catholics, he was a source of inspiration,” the king said.
The king’s 58th birthday is Sunday, but King’s Day was held one day before.
(L/R): Dutch Princess Amalia, Queen Maxima, King Willem Alexander and Princess Alexia will take photos during the King’s Day celebration held at Doechinchem on April 26, 2025.
The celebration began on Friday night with street markets in the central city of Utrecht and parties in other towns and cities.
By Saturday afternoon, several canals in the Dutch capital had been packed with boats, but the water is sometimes barely visible from crowds of people and clouds of orange smoke from flares.
In a social media message, the Amsterdam Municipality said that parts of the city were “too full” and urged people to visit Amsterdam and “celebrate King’s Day somewhere else.” Other cities also reported that the event was overcrowded.
At Wondel Park in Amsterdam, children spread blankets and sold unnecessary toys, clothes and books in one of the many “free markets” that gush out on the sidewalks and parks.
And it wasn’t just Dutch people who were celebrating in Amsterdam.
“For unity, being with friends is a great moment. You know… to create new connections.”
