What is now known as King’s Day has roots stretching back to the late 19th century. It began in 1885 as Prinsessedag (Princess’s Day), honoring the birthday of Princess Wilhelmina. In a politically turbulent time, the celebration was introduced to promote national unity and allegiance to the House of Orange-Nassau.

As Wilhelmina became queen, the day evolved into Koninginnedag (Queen’s Day), and with each successive monarch, the tradition adapted. Queen Juliana celebrated her birthday on April 30 with public parades and palace ceremonies. Her daughter, Queen Beatrix, maintained the date out of respect for her mother, but reoriented the celebration around visiting Dutch cities, interacting directly with the public.

In 2013, Beatrix abdicated in favor of her son, Willem-Alexander. The holiday then shifted to April 27 to reflect the new king’s birthday and became Koningsdag. Though the name and style changed, the underlying principle remained: a celebration of the Dutch monarchy as a living, approachable institution.

The King’s Day of Today: Public Celebration with Personal Touch
King’s Day today is an extraordinary blend of festivity and tradition. Cities and towns across the Netherlands host events ranging from concerts to neighborhood games and public markets. Central to the celebration is the vrijmarkt, or free market, where citizens are allowed to sell secondhand goods in streets and parks without a permit. This spontaneous street economy is not only a highlight of the day but also a reflection of Dutch egalitarianism and entrepreneurial spirit.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima maintain the custom of visiting a different city each year. In 2025, the royal family is set to visit Emmen, in the province of Drenthe. These visits are more than symbolic, they are participatory, with the royals engaging in local customs, performances, and dialogue with residents. This annual moment of accessibility is illustrative of the Dutch monarchy’s informal character, and of the public’s enduring affection for it.

Celebrating in The Hague
While Amsterdam often garners international attention for its canal-side festivities, The Hague, seat of the Dutch government and home to many foreign embassies, offers a more refined, yet equally vibrant King’s Day experience. The festivities in The Hague often begin the evening before, with Koningsnacht (King’s Night), featuring live music across the city and cultural programming that appeals to a wide audience.

On King’s Day itself, the city balances celebration with tradition. The royal stables, historic buildings, and cultural institutions may open their doors to the public. In and around the embassy district and political heart of the city, there is a visible intersection of Dutch civic life and ceremonial celebration. For foreign dignitaries, it is a prime opportunity to witness Dutch national sentiment in a public yet grounded form.

Reflections in a Changing Time
King’s Day is not merely about celebration, it is also a mirror of the times. In 2020 and 2021, pandemic restrictions led to subdued, localized versions of the holiday, dubbed Woningsdag (Home Day), where people celebrated from their homes. This resilience highlighted the cultural centrality of the day, even in difficult circumstances. As the country navigates current challenges, ranging from political polarization to debates about the monarchy’s role, King’s Day continues to offer a moment of national cohesion.

In 2025, as the Dutch royal family marks more than a decade under King Willem-Alexander’s leadership, the occasion invites both reflection and festivity. For the international community in the Netherlands, it provides a compelling look at how the Dutch combine tradition with modernity, reverence with informality.

A Day of Dutch Character
King’s Day is often described as “typically Dutch”, not just because of the ubiquitous orange clothing, or the vibrant street life, but because it reflects a national preference for balance: between pride and modesty, between freedom and structure, between the symbolic and the pragmatic. For those observing from abroad, it is a day that encapsulates the Dutch ethos in full view: cheerful, grounded, open, and self-aware.