A special bond exists between the people of The Netherlands and Canada. It began during World War II when the Netherlands was occupied by the Nazis. Princess Juliana (the next in line to the Dutch throne) and her husband Prince Bernhard fled to Great Britain; as her husband had been born German there was some resentment from the country's citizens and some tension between Juliana and her mother, Queen Wilhelmina. After a month in Great Britain, a pregnant Juliana and her two young daughters moved to Canada. They stayed at Stornway near Ottawa, which is now the house of the opposition leader in Parliament. Prince Bernhard stayed behind to fight in the war.
Princess Margriet
On January 19, 1943, Princess Juliana gave birth to a girl who was named Margriet. She was named after a type of daisy that was worn by the members of the Dutch resistance. Margriet was born at Ottawa Civic Hospital which was temporarily made a territory of The Netherlands; soil from the Netherlands was also placed under the bed where the princess gave birth. The Dutch flag also flew from the Peace Tower in Ottawa on the day of her birth.
Tulips
Princess Juliana and her family returned to The Netherlands in 1945. As a way of thanking Canada, both for allowing the Princess to find exile in Canada and for the role that Canadian troops played in the liberation of their country, the government and people of The Netherlands sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada. This has continued to today; every year 10,000 tulip bulbs are sent to Canada. An annual tulip festival has been held in Ottawa since 1953. Princess Margriet showed up for the 2010 celebrations.
Life Goes On
Princess Margriet went on to study at Leiden University where she met her husband Pieter van Vollenhaven. The couple were married in 1967 and have 4 sons. Princess Juliana became queen in 1948 after the abdication of her mother. Margriet's oldest sister Beatrix became queen when their mother abdicated in 1980.
Thank You, Canada
Every year, on the anniversary of the liberation, the people of The Netherlands welcome Canadian veterans, hold parades and show their gratitude for what Canada did for them. This special relationship between the two countries seems to be never ending; schoolchildren are taught about what Canada did for their country and to respect the anniversary of the liberation. The relationship will most likely continue long after the last World War II Canadian veteran dies.
Source
Archives, CBC.com
Susan Keeping - Susan has been writing online for over 10 years and is currently developing a website for women.
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