Royal Watch News
Netherlands' Queen's Day celebrations
By BANG
Apr 30, 2008, 11:40 GMT

The Netherlands' traditional Queen's Day celebrations kicked off in Amsterdam yesterday (29.04.08) with live music at a number of outdoor venues.

Over 200,000 people gathered in the centre of The Hague for the 19th Koninginnenacht concerts.

In Utrecht, the traditional street market opened in the evening and continued for 24 hours, with organisers expecting 300,000 people.

Today (30.04.08) - Queen's Day - traditional flea markets will be set up, and, according to a poll, one in five people plan to sell their old clothes and knicknacks.

This year Queen Beatrix and other members of the royal family are visiting the Friesian towns of Makkum and Franeker.

Beatrix was recently voted the country's favourite royal among expatriates

She topped the poll by the Dutch World service, while she rates second to Princess Maxima among Dutch people in a poll for Dutch TV programme EénVandaag.

Over half of the 24,000 people polled said they were proud of their country, and around half of respondents said they had a Dutch flag at home. Two thirds of those with flags said they would fly them on Queen's Day.

(C) BANG Media International