DHS and the Dutch Royal Family

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Patroness
"Die Haghe Sanghers" have the privilege of having Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands as its Patroness. After her accession to the throne in 1980 Her Majesty made the choice to only accept honorary titles of those parties with which she or The Royal House had a historical relationship. With her inaugeration in Amsterdam sand de Staar, five days later sang "Die Haghe Sanghers" for the new Queen with her entrance into The Hague.

1918: the first encounter
The close relationship with the House of Orange started at the Malieveld in The Hague on november 18, 1918. The then Burgomaster of The Hague, mr J.A.N. Patijn, invited all residents by proclamation to participate in a public honouring of her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina, accompanied by singing of "Die Haghe Sanghers".
What happened then was written in every Dutch newspaper. A reporter wrote: "Together with the rifleman from Limburg the schare of singers unharnessed the horses and pulled the coach, with in it her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina and her daughter Princess Juliana, past a frantic crowd for four times." This honouring was continued in front of the Palace at the Noordeinde, after which the Choir's board was given a warm reception by her Majesty.
Half a year later, on may 4 1919, the Choir sang some songs in front of the Palace "Huis ten Bosch". After that, the conductor, the Board and some of the members were introduced to Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina and Princess Juliana.

On oktober 16, 1920, Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina accepted the patronage of the Choir.

A month later, on november 25, 1920, Her Majesty the Queen and the Queen mother attended a concert of the Choir. This might have lead to the possibility to give an aubade on the palace "Huis ten Bosch" on the occasion of Queen Wilhelmina's 25-year government jubilee on september 6, 1923. On december 13 in the same year, the Queen mother, Princess Emma, visited the first part of a concert.

The 18th birthday of Princess Juliana on april 30, 1927, and the 10th anniversary of the choir gave cause for a historical celebration on the "Hofvijver". During this celebration no less then seven ships sailed the Hofvijver, with the singers dressed as sailors on one of the ships. This celebration was attented by Queen Wilhelmina and Princess Juliana.
Old chairman of the board, Dorus Hermsen, made a painting of this scene. The current location of the painting however, is not known.

On january 28 1929, Queen mother Emma attended a concert. Correspondence from the year 1933 shows that Baron van Lynden, Grand Master of Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina, thanks the choir for the perfect performance which was given on december 11 together with the choir "Cecilia". Her Majesty attended this concert together with the Queen mother. It turned out to be the last visit to the choir by Queen mother Emma. She passed away on march 20, 1934.

1946: Royal
After having turned down the request in 1938, it pleased Her Majesty to grant the title "Royal" to the Choir on march 20, 1946. This happened by intercession of Baron van Lynden.

In september 1948 the National aubade is braught in front of Noordeinde Palace on the occasion of Queen Wilhelmina's 50-years government jubilee. The same week a musical tribute takes place during the reception of the new Queen in The Hague.

On may 16 1955, gramaphone records are given present to Her Majesty Queen Juliana at Soestdijk Palace. During the state visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip of England on march 26 1958, the choirs sings a couple of songs in the municipality museum in The Hague.

1960: The Knights' Hall of the Binnenhof Palace
On may 4, 1960, the choir performs the Field Mass by Bohuslav Martinu together with the Royal Militairy Band. Both the Queen and the Prince are present during this performance. After the performance the conveyance of the WWII Honourary list takes place. On this list are the names of deceased soldiers during World War II. The list is presented by Her Majesty Queen Juliana to the States General.

On the occasion of the 12½ year government jubilee of Queen Juliana, a concert is given at Palace Huis ten Bosch on march 6, 1961. On december 8 1962, the then chairman Mr. J. Kierkels, is present at the memorial service for Queen-mother Wilhelmina.

On november 30 1963, an aubade takes place on the square "Plein 1813" on the occasion of 150 years of independency. Princess Beatrix is present at this aubade which is followed by a memorial concert.

On february 17 1966 the choir sings the song "The Hague, with your empty Palaces" together with the Dutch cabaret performer Paul van Vliet. The entire Royal Family was present including the prospective bride and bridegroom Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus. The then conductor Jos Vranken sr. receives a silver medaille for the participation in this programme. A year later, three other medailles are given. One to the entire Choir, one to the then Chairman Jean Kierkels and one to the oldest member, the 80-year old Bernhard van der Horst.

1967: songs for a new Prince
On march 8 1967, a recording of a national TV-programme takes place for the yet to be born new Prince. The Choir sang him an Austrian lullaby.

On september 4 1973 the 25 year government jubilee of Queen Juliana is celebrated. One of the highlights of this evening was the last performance in Holland of Mrs. van Swol-Brouwenstein who came over from Italy for this concert. She sang a piece from Verdi's "La forca del destino". The orchestra was conducted by Tony Nolten. The Choir accompanied.

1980: Vera Lynn
On may 5 1980 the municipality organizes a festivity in the "Houtrusthallen" to welcome the new Queen into The Hague. Die Haghe Sanghers sang together with the winner of the European Song Festival, the Israelian group "Milk and Honey", the winning song "Halleluja" and together with Mrs. Vera Lynn the song "The White Cliffs of Dover".

On april 30 1984 the choir added lustre to the 75th birthday of Princess Juliana. And in november 1987 the choir song in presence of Queen Beatrix during the re-opening of the Grote or St. Jacobs Church in The Hague. The choir sang the worldpremiere of "The Hague, a woman" by Jaap Geraedts accompanied by a carillion. After the performance Her Majesty complimented the composer with his work to which he reacted with: " That is is very nice your Majesty, nut I am still awaiting my money for this composition!" Whether this was due to the reaction of the composer is not not clear, but it is clear that the next meeting with a member of the Dutch Royal family took 10 years.

1994: Crown Prince Concert
On april 27 1994 DHS participates in a Crown Prince Concert in the Dr. Anton Philipshall in The Hague. The choir sings together with the Dutch Militairy Band and the Royal Male Choir Maastreechter Staar on behalf of Unicef and in presence of Crown Prince Willem Alexander. This concert has also been broadcasted on Dutch television.

On september 8 the new Town hall is opened in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix. Together with eight other choirs the song "Campana Vocalis" is sung. The song is a human version of an carillon.

Die Haghe Sanghers are looking forward to the day they may meet again.


Mister Wim van de Weg, the writer of this article wrote:
"For compiling this article I've used sources as the Royal House Archive, the Municipality Archive and my personal Archive. I especcialy would like to thank mister Woelders and mister Ubels from the Royal Hous Archive."
We are indebted to Mister van de Weg for this article.