Unfortunately Verena couldn't be there this time, so Henri and I left home as early as we could. The first city bus in Apeldoorn from Henri's house left at 7:30, so we were able to take the train from 8:00. That, however, meant we weren't in The Hague until 9:30. As the church wasn't that far from the railway station, we walked, like tens of other people. The Binnenhof, where the Dutch government seats, was still very quiet when we passed it. We saw they had placed a big tv-screen there, so people could watch the ceremony in church. Near the church we passed two groups of people in costumes, one from Spakenburg and one group with people from Volendam and Marken.
We found ourselves a place in front of the entry of the church (Grote or St. Jacobskerk), although many metres away on the other side of the road and only fifth row. We hadn't seen people we knew yet, but soon afterwards Hein and Andrew - the last one came all the way from England - showed up and stayed with us. The weather was nice and the sun was shining, unfortunately in our face. We were talking and meanwhile watched the guests arriving. So far only unknown people and Dutch politicians. It was not until 11:30 that the noble and royal guests showed up. As we were standing too far away and there were too many people in front of us, we had to do our utmost best to recognise the guests. Later on we discovered we had missed several of the most important guests. The people around us wondered how it was possible that we knew the names of all those guests, even some of the less known.
Andrew had left us after the members of the Dutch Royal Family and bride and groom had arrived - who were all greeted with lots of enthusiasm. Also many others left, so we were able to stand second row, which was already better than before. As usual it took a long time before the service in church had finished. We had to stand there for almost 1 1/2 hour before everybody came out again. First bride and groom with the bridal children and bridesmaids came out and took their seats in the waiting carriages in front of us (but still too far away to make nice photos with a normal camera). Under loud cheering they left for their short carriage ride through The Hague from the church to Palace Noordeinde. We decided to stay and watch the most important guests leave. Then it was very difficult to get away. Although we tried we were at the Palace Noordeinde too late to see the balcony scene, but we heard bride and groom had kissed twice. We decided to have a look at the bookshop Van Hoogstraeten near the palace, where they sell several nice royal books. On the way to the palace I had managed to get myself an original order of service from the wedding after having asked several guests who were walking in the streets (they most likely weren't invited for the reception) if they had one for me.
From the left to the right: Christine, Henri, Hein, Netty and Martina.
I had made an appointment with Christine Kersten at 13:30 to meet after the wedding for a small Internet reunion. When Henri, Hein and I arrived at the meeting point we found Martina from Germany waiting for us. I had told her where she could find us. Soon afterwards also Christine turned up. We decided to drink something at the terrace nearby. As the sun was shining we sat there very comfortable. We were of course talking about the wedding, the guests and the Internet. I am not sure the wedding guests who were sitting next to us really liked our busy talking. But one of them was so kind to make some photos of the five of us. After we finished our drinks Hein offered us icecream. We decided to walk through the shopping streets and visited a bookshop while Christine picked up her wedding photos from the civil wedding on Thursday, which she showed us when she came back. Not long afterwards we split up and Henri and I went back by train to Apeldoorn after a great day in The Hague.