Willem-Alexander thanks Dokkum for a wonderful King's Day

King Willem-Alexander thanked Dokkum and Friesland for showing him and his family an “unforgettable” King’s Day today on his 59th birthday. In his speech, the King referred to the time he participated in the Elfstedentocht skating event in 1986, under the pseudonym W.A. van Buren. “I would love nothing more than to go back one more time and skate again, because it is so beautiful in this magnificent city of yours,” the King said, NOS reports.

Willem-Alexander spoke his final words in Frisian, to loud cheers from the crowd. “Graag tot ziens in koningsstad Dokkum, graag tot ziens in Friesland, Friesland boven!" That translates to: “See you soon in the royal city of Dokkum, see you soon in Friesland. Friesland on top!”

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, and their three daughters arrived in Dokkum just after 11:00. They dressed for the occasion in the colors of Dokkum. The Queen wore yellow, the King wore blue, Crown Princess Amalia and Princess Alexia wore red, and Princess Ariane wore white.

They were greeted in Frisian, and Dokkum mayor Johannes Kramer presented them with a stamp card. Like with the Elfstedentocht, they had to collect stamps along the way.

Along the route, the Royal family was introduced to Frisian traditions and customs. They tried out a typical Frisian sport, kaatsen, and tasted the local delicacies. King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and Princess Arianne also put on their skates and had some fun on the ice with skater Marijke Groenewoud and short track speed skaters Jens and Melle van ‘t Wout.

The King was given a jacket with “W.A. van Buren” on the back, his pseudonym when he participated in the Elfstedentocht in 1986.

Willem-Alexander spoke of an “unforgettable Keningsdei,” using the Frisian word for King’s Day. “I found it very special that I was able to skate in this city again.”