Overview

• Tens of thousands gathered in Doetinchem for King’s Day 2025, featuring street parties, music, and a royal walkabout celebrating King Willem-Alexander’s 58th birthday.
• The event was rescheduled to April 26 due to the king’s birthday falling on a Sunday, aligning with the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome.
• King Willem-Alexander described the day as 'a day with two faces,' acknowledging the overlap with the papal funeral, which the royal family did not attend.
• Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Foreign Minister Veldkamp represented the Netherlands at the funeral, while the Dutch royal family engaged with citizens in Doetinchem.
• Support for the monarchy rose to 62 percent, reflecting a growing public appreciation for the royal family’s role in fostering national unity.