Princess Margriet of the Netherlands officially launched the 74th Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa on Saturday.
Hundreds of people came to witness the event at Dow’s Lake and take in the over 300,000 blooms and 100 different varieties of vibrant tulips that mark a deep connection between Canada and the Netherlands.
Those in attendance say this visit was extra special, especially for those with Dutch heritage, who say the deeply rooted connection between the two nations share can never be taken for granted.
“Tulips symbolize how the past has united our two countries. May they continue to do so,” Princess Margriet said from the podium.
The opening ceremony included a flyby from a Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18.
The princess was born at the Ottawa Civic Hospital in 1943 after the Dutch royal family took refuge in the capital while in exile during the Second World War. Part of the hospital was temporarily declared extraterritorial to ensure the princess held her sole nationality.
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“The enduring friendship between Canada and the Netherlands was forged through courage and commitment and sacrifice,” said Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
After the end of the war, 100,000 tulips were gifted to the city of Ottawa by the Netherlands as a show of gratitude.
Many in the crowd came out to catch a glimpse of royalty, including the Ludwig family, who waited two hours to see the princess to connect with their family’s history.
“We’re raising the kids to appreciate it and learn the stories,” said Henrick Ludwig.
The festival is also preserving the memory of Canadian troops who served in the Second World War.
“The Tulip Festival reminds generation after generation of the crucial role young Canadians played in liberating our country from the Nazi occupation,” Princess Margriet said.
Jane Armstrong, who was born in the Netherlands and whose family escaped the Nazis, says its important the two nations continue their strong connection.
“I live on the other side of Toronto and I usually come this weekend, and this is a bonus,” she said. “I’m thankful that Ottawa has the tulip festival every year and remembers.”
The 83-year-old princess and her husband, Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven also visited Ottawa City Hall on Friday. On Monday, Margriet will visit the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus and deliver tulips to staff.
The Canadian Tulip Festival runs until May 18 at Dow’s Lake in Ottawa.
