Security in Wemeldinge and Middelburg this year is understandable tight. Cars have been banned from the parade area and admirers will have to pass a security check. More than 1600 police will be on guard with the authority to search anyone suspicious.
Apeldoorn tragedy
Last year, Queen’s Day was marred by a tragic incident in Apeldoorn during the visit by Queen Beatrix and her family. Dutch citizen Karst Tates, 38, crashed his Suzuki Swift into the waiting crowd and slammed into a monument, just missing the open-topped bus carrying the royal family. Seven people died, four suffered major injuries, and five people were slightly wounded. The driver died in hospital that night and another woman a week later, bringing the total number of deaths to nine. On April 29, Queen Beatrix and the mayor of Apeldoorn will unveil a memorial commemorating the victims of this tragedy.
