Overview
- The royal delegation of King Willem‑Alexander, former Queen Beatrix and Prince Constantijn visited Hitzacker on Sunday to mark the centenary of Claus von Amsberg by signing the town’s Golden Book, viewing the Prinz‑Claus monument and watering the relocated “Königslinde.”
- Beatrix appeared visibly moved and used a walking aid during the visit while the palace later published a short, emotional video with scenes from the town and the family’s interactions with residents.
- Local officials and residents received the royals warmly, with a full market square, orange flags and Mayor Holger Mertins saying the visit was a special day for Hitzacker.
- Coverage stressed Claus’s complex past — his youth in Hitlerjugend and wartime conscription, the 1965 Dutch opposition to his engagement, Loe de Jong’s later inquiry that cleared him of war crimes and his 1965 naturalization that made his 1966 marriage and princely role possible.
- Hitzacker’s long ties to the family were underlined by existing memorials such as the Prinz‑Claus‑Promenade and a 2005 bust, which together reinforce cross‑border cultural links and keep local identity and Dutch‑German royal history on public display.