THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Across the Netherlands, people donned orange clothes — from tuxedos to feather boas — and boats packed with revelers clogged Amsterdam’s canals to celebrate their king’s birthday Saturday.
In an Amsterdam park, a dog called Lucy sported orange-dyed fur.
“I love it. It’s a day where every year everyone just comes together, just celebrates and it doesn’t matter where you’re from everyone is just accepted,” said 22-year-old Dicky van Warmerdam. “And if you look around, it’s just a giant party and who doesn’t want that?”
The official royal walkabout by King Willem-Alexander and family members in the eastern town of Doetinchem started an hour later than planned so as not to clash with the funeral at the Vatican of Pope Francis.
In a video message, Willem-Alexander said the day of Dutch celebration “has two faces” due to the pope’s funeral, and paid tribute to Francis.