Europe, a Festive Continent: A Closer Look at European Festivals
By SABRINA AUBUT / 25 February 2015
Koningsdag means King’s Day, although the holiday was called Queen’s Day up until last year. Queen Beatrix abdicated on April 30, 2013, so King’s Day was celebrated for the first time on April 27, 2014 in honour of her son Wilhelm-Alexander’s birthday. During King’s Day, boats filled with people wearing orange clothing and makeup (in honour of the royal family, descendants of the House of Orange-Nassau) cruise along the canals.