My Queen

I grew up in Wassenaar. Only about 26,000 people lived there at the time, but it was home to everything anyone could want in a picturesque Dutch village. Many members of the Royal Family resided there at least part of the year. Through various circumstances, my family grew close to the Queen’s youngest sister and her children.

About 20 years ago, we attended the Confirmation of the Queen’s niece. Naturally, Beatrix was also in attendance. While being escorted to her seat, my father noticed a button fall off her coat and land right by his feet. He quickly collected it and returned it to one of her attendants. That was the extent his our interaction.

A few days later, he received a personal note from the Queen thanking him for returning the button and saving her the hassle of having to replace all of the hardware in her coat. Even as a young girl, this kind gesture touched me. Queen Beatrix took time out of her busy day to inquire as to who we were and thank us for something as insignificant as a button. She was a kind and gracious queen and will be missed.