The funeral of Dutch Princess Christina took place at the Noordeinde palace in The Hague on Thursday.
THE HAGUE--The funeral of Dutch Princess Christina took place at the Noordeinde palace in The Hague on Thursday, in an informal ceremony witnessed by family and close friends.
The coffin, covered with sunflowers, was taken in procession through the palace grounds, followed by the princess’ three children. Her three sisters, including former Queen Beatrix, followed them, with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima next in line. All the guests wore colourful clothing and a flower.
Christina died of bone cancer last week Friday at the age of 72. The princess, the youngest of four daughters to Queen Juliana, had been ill for several years.
Several musicians who had been part of the princess’ musical charity, the Prinses Christina Concours, performed at the ceremony, Dutch public broadcaster NOS said.
Funeral expert Cees van Raak told NOS that the funeral had broken several royal traditions. “Only a few people are in attendance, there is no pomp and ceremony, or horse-drawn carriages, and the service is not public,” he said.
Not only is the closed nature of the ceremony a break with tradition, but also the fact that the princess has opted to be cremated, he said. Members of the Dutch royal family are usually interred in the crypt of the Nieuwe Kerk church in Delft.
