News item | 12-06-2025 | 13:00
His Majesty De Koning and Prime Minister Schoof Wonen on Saturday 28 June in The Hague The 21st edition of Veteran Day. Defense Minister Brekelmans and State Secretary Gardener of Defense are also present. Veterans Day is a tribute to the more than 100,000 Dutch veterans who have worked in the service of peace.
The day starts with a ceremony in the Royal Schouwburg where the Prime Minister gives a speech and veterans tell special personal stories, in combination with music and film images. The king speaks with a few veterans afterwards.
In the afternoon, King Willem-Alexander speaks on the Malieveld with different groups of veterans and he has a meeting with the winner of the Witte Carnation Prize and the winning class of the Kidschallenge.
Dutch Veterans Day is a tribute to all veterans who have committed themselves from the Second World War to today’s missions. The aim is to promote social recognition and appreciation for veterans. The day has been set by the government and is organized by the National Committee Veterans Day, with the support of the Ministry of Defense and Social Partners.