The canal boat is bobbing in the Hofvijver, the orange banners are flying and the royal hats have been dusted off. Everything is ready to usher in Royal September. Every year, for ten days leading up to Prinsjesdag, all of The Hague celebrates being the royal city of the Netherlands with a huge range of events and festivities. This year, Alderman Saskia Bruines (Economic Development) kicked off Royal September.
Alderman Bruines: ‘It is great that the whole city is looking forward to Prinsjesdag in this way. The Hague really feels extra royal these weeks. Prinsjesdag also marks the opening of the parliamentary year, an important moment in our democracy. There are all kinds of activities for young and old to do, see and experience in the city. For residents and visitors. Everyone is welcome to celebrate this party here.’
During Royal September, this year from Saturday 7 to Tuesday 17 September, The Hague celebrates being the royal city. From markets to music, cabaret, debate evenings, tours on the Hofvijver, an outdoor cinema, fashion shows and openings of monumental buildings and palaces; Royal September’s agenda is packed with festivities. And that on top of the regular royal offerings in the city. For instance, the audio and video walk the ‘Royal Tour’, royal shopping in the Royal District and visits to museums such as Escher in Het Paleis.
The icon for Royal September this year is the ‘royal hat’, which was also put on by alderman Bruines during the kick-off moment in De Passage. In the central part of the covered shopping arcade, the artwork Chapeau! has been hanging since this week. This work, created by The Hague designer Pink Steenvoorden, consists of hats from the former exclusive hat shop Ladies Paradise. The shop, which was located in De Passage until it closed in 2000, had many Dutch celebrities as clients, including Her Majesty the Queen.
Steenvoorden: ‘A few years ago, in a vacant space above Ladies Paradise’s old shop premises, a consignment of no less than 3,000 hats was discovered, mainly from the 1950s and 1960s. With the installation Chapeau! the forgotten hats regain something of their grandeur. It also forms a colourful décor with a royal touch for visitors to The Passage during Royal September.’
The hat theme will be seen frequently in The Hague in the coming days, including during the fashion show at the Prinsjesmarkt, during The Hague Hat Stroll and, of course, on Prinsjesdag itself.
For more information visit: https://denhaag.com/en/royalseptember
Image: Wethouder Bruines (midden) luidt Royal September in bij het koninklijke hoedenkunstwerk ‘Chapeau!’ in De Passage in Den Haag. (Foto: The Hague & Partners / Arnaud Roelofsz)
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