Queens day happens to be one of the most important holidays in the Netherlands, this year even more so, as the queen was abdicating in favour of her son and from next year the day will be the King’s day, which hasn’t happened in over 200 years. The event originally started to commemorate the birth of Queen Beatrix, but for people its an excuse to drink, party and vandalise the town.
The royal family’s house is Orange and Nassu, which makes Orange the predominant colour of The Netherlands, also the reason the entire country unanimously drowned itself in a sea of orange.
Orange was everywhere. People painted their cycles and vehicles
Shops and stores painted their logos in orange
Street vendors and hawkers were everywhere making a killing
People were sporting orange caps of all kinds
Even restaurant’s were following the suit wherever they could
Flags were placed at every nook and corner – outside monuments, buildings and houses.
Some spent their time either basking in sun, smoking up or going about their normal business, or all of them.
Amsterdam was completely crowded and littered everywhere! So much so it almost reminded me of India.
Even the flower beds on the streets were turned orange
Some even resorted to playing with orange color, which took me by surprise, as the only time I’ve seen it happen was during the Festival of Holi
Amidst the city up in chaos, with people on drinking binge and party spree, some found their moments of quietness
They even managed to organise a cheesy concert at the center of the city, where the only played songs of praise of the King and Queen and their children (ridiculous and preposterous IMO)