King’s Day 2021: no celebrations at the embassies

Foreign minister Stef Blok has decided that due to the coronavirus pandemic there will be no King’s Day gatherings at the embassies again this year. Various embassies will mark the occasion online. In recognition of the impact that the pandemic has had on everyone worldwide, the online ‘celebrations’ will be appropriately low-key. Even in countries where the virus appears to be under control no in-person events will be organised by the Dutch missions.

Second year in a row

This is the second year in a row that the Dutch diplomatic missions will not be celebrating King’s Day due to the coronavirus pandemic. The annual celebration of the King’s birthday on King’s Day is a highlight of the calendar for many Dutch nationals abroad. It is the perfect opportunity to meet up and strengthen ties. King’s Day is also a unique opportunity for Dutch diplomatic missions to forge closer relations with local government and business leaders.

King’s Day in the Netherlands

The King’s Day programme in the Netherlands will also be modified. His Majesty the King, Her Majesty Queen Máxima and Their Royal Highnesses the Princess of Orange, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane will be visiting the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. They will take part in a presentation highlighting Brainport Eindhoven, which will be broadcast online and on television from a studio.