Just after noon the royal family arrived by train at the railway station of Groningen. On the way from Warffum to Groningen tens of people were standing along the railway to wave at the royals. About 120.000 people had gathered in Groningen to catch a glimpse of the royal family. People were not only standing along the road but also on balconies, roofs and behind open windows. Mayor Jacques Wallage received the royal family at the railway station. Outside the family got in three waiting open carriages. Due to allergy for horses Prince Bernhard and Prince Pieter-Christiaan travelled by car. By carriage they then drove to the Der Aa-Church. Outside church they were welcomed with music and dance. In church they listened to a Gipsy band, watched the children's circus Fantastini and watched photos of the less beautiful Groningen. Three children recited their winning poems about the Queen. Outside the church five princes dared to try out the bobstarting (bobsleigh starting): Prince Constantijn, Prince Maurits, Prince Bernhard, Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Prince Floris started in the four-men bobsleigh in two groups. Even Queen Beatrix who had already walked further, returned to see it.
Finally the family reached the Vismarkt (Fish Market) after all. They received a huge cake from students. Smaller pieces of cake were given to the public, and I must admit they tasted wonderful. On the market were several activities that had something to do with sport, dance, knowledge and culture. Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien spent quite some time talking with children and Queen Beatrix had a chat with first Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels. There was lots of admiration for the French theatre group 'Les Passagers' who will also perform at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens later this year. Between both markets a choir of homeless people sang for the royal family, there also were wheelchair dancers and skaters. This part of the route was also the place where Queen Beatrix received the traditional licorice from royalty watcher Oscar. The family finally reached the Grote Markt (Great Market) and climbed up to the steps of the town hall. A choir of 964 people (as the town of Groningen exists 964 years in 2004) sang a wonderful song called 'Rood, wit, blauw, oranje, zijn de kleuren van de vlag' (red, white, blue, orange, are the colours of the flag) and the royal family as well as mayor Jacques Wallage, who all had received a piece of paper with the text on it, sang with them. In his valedictory address Mayor Jacques Wallage said to hope that the royal family would remember Groningen and that they will come back soon.
Queen Beatrix took the final word under loud applause. She said that it was a very special Queen's Day, as 24 years ago it was hard to understand for the family how it really would be to celebrate Queen's Day without Queen Juliana being alive. She said to be happy that they can keep on thinking about her in this wonderful festive way. She said it means a lot to the family to be received with warmth and heartiness. She also thanked for the support and sympathy they had received from people.
Photos: Netty Leistra