“It has pleased His Majesty the King to appoint you as…” That sentence will be heard by thousands of people in the Netherlands today. It is again the annual Ribbon Rain, where people are appointed as a member, knight or officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau or the Order of the Dutch Lion. Well-known Dutch people receive the ribbon for their career, unknown Dutch people for their contributions to society, for example by doing volunteer work for years.
To keep the surprise alive as long as possible, those involved are often lured somewhere under false pretenses, after which the mayor can pin the decoration on behalf of the king. Traditionally, the vast majority of ribbons go to people who have been doing volunteer work for years.
Most laureates become members of the Order of Orange-Nassau. Due to special merits, people can also become knights or officers. The highest degree in this order is Knight Grand Cross. There are three degrees in the older Order of the Dutch Lion. These awards are intended for people with special merits.
Last year 2,832 people received a ribbon. That was less than the 3,060 in 2020 and the 2,858 in 2019.
How do you view the annual Ribbon Rain? Would you also like a ribbon, or is that not necessary for you?