Dutchmen cheer monarchs: King Willem-Alexander celebrates at street party

Yesterday it was celebrated throughout the Netherlands, but today is King Willem-Alexander's real birthday. He turned 58. The Government Information Service does not report how the king will spend the day. Yesterday he celebrated King's Day in Doetinchem with other family members. His youngest daughter Ariane was absent, who is in exam period with her Italian education. During the visit, the royal party was introduced to sports, culture and art …

Unlike most other European royal houses, the Dutch royal couple are missing at the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. Because of the National Day, they were unable to attend the ceremony and celebrate the King's birthday close to the German border.

For Willem-Alexander it was "a day with two faces: in Rome the Pope was buried, in Doetinchem the king's birthday was celebrated.