70th Birthday of Her Royal Highness
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands

On Friday, 18 January 2013, The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands invited members of The Royal Canadian Legion to join them on Parliament Hill for a ceremonial flag raising. The event honoured the 70th birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, who was born here in Ottawa during the Second World War. Rochus Pronk, deputy head of mission, represented the Kingdom of the Netherlands while Bill Maxwell, Scott Ferris and Bruce Poulin were on hand representing the Legion. Canada’s Second World War Veterans were thanked for their support in liberating Holland and all Veterans were acknowledged for their ongoing commitment to peace, liberty and maintaining the freedoms Canada and the Netherlands enjoy.

MP Rick Dykstra acts as Emcee. Left to right – Rochus Pronk, deputy head of mission; MP Rod Bruinooge, MP Peter Stouffer.

The official party on the steps of Parliament Hill.

MP Rod Bruinooge accepts the flag of the Netherlands and prepares to raise it on the steps of Parliament Hill. Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice-admiral Donaldson looks on at right.

Rochus Pronk, deputy head of mission for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, address the crowd.

Front row, left to right - David Luxton, Chair Canadian Tulip Festival; Vice Admiral Bruce Donaldson, Vice Chief of Defence Staff, representing CDS; Bruce Poulin, The Royal Canadian Legion; Chief Warrant Officer Guy Janssens; Scott Ferris, The Royal Canadian Legion; Anouk Hoedeman, President of the Dutch Canadian Association; Bill Maxwell, The Royal Canadian Legion.

Rochus Pronk and MP Rod Bruinooge with a contingent of Dutch citizens.

The flag of the Netherlands flies on the steps of Parliament Hill in honour of the
70th birthday of Princess Margriet.

Bill Maxwell, left and Scott Ferris from The Royal Canadian Legion enjoy chatting with participants at the reception honouring the 70th birthday of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.

Bruce Poulin, Royal Canadian Legion, speaks with two staff representatives from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands—Gertie Smedts, Secretary at Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Left) and Laetitia Kaandorp, Assistant to the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Canada (Right).