Ever questioned why, given that the color is not even present in their flag, the Dutch wear orange to pretty much every national event, including King’s Day? Here is the reason.
1. On King’s Day, why do the Dutch wear orange?
If you’re not familiar, King’s Day is a national holiday observed in the Netherlands during which the entire country wears orange, enjoys beer, and commemorates the king’s birthday. They certainly rejoice, too.
In the Netherlands, King’s Day is never treated lightly. Photo from Depositphotos
The canals are filled with boats that resemble oompa loompas that are drinking themselves to death and periodically singing: “Orange above all, orange above all, long live the king!”
The Royal Family, the House of Orange-Nassau, is therefore naturally connected to the Dutch romance with Orange.
The illustrious William of Orange, who was made Prince of Orange in 1544, was the first in the lineage. Due to his leadership, the Dutch Royal family’s official color is orange.
However, there is much more to old Willy’s fame than just being the heir to the kingdom, so who was he exactly?
2. William of Orange, who was he?
René of Chalon, who passed away without having children, named William of Orange, commonly known as William the Silent, as the heir to the county of Orange.
William afterward went on to lead the Dutch Revolt during the Eighty Years’ War (Dutch War of Independence, 1568–1648), which was a rebellion against the Spanish domination of the Netherlands.
His leadership had a significant impact on the uprising and helped the United Provinces of the Netherlands achieve official independence in 1648.
He is credited for founding the Netherlands and establishing the first period of regional unification. The Dutch monarchy’s current era, however, was founded by him because he is also the first ancestor of the current Royal Family.
His name so represents the Dutch state, as does the vibrant color that goes with it. But how did he come by that name?
3. The French town of Orange
Orange is a town in contemporary southern France that was formerly known as Oranghien by the Dutch.
Before becoming a part of France in 1713, it was a county state under the Holy Roman Empire for a long time. William of Nassau changed his name here in 1544 to Prince William of Orange.
