Golden Herring for Pieter van Vollenhoven

According to newspaper the ‘Telegraaf’ the best way to describe the annual National herring party at Castle the Nyenrode in Breukelen is to call it the Ascot of the Low Countries. No horses, stylish carriages or bowler hats though, but a lot of Atlantic herring. The ladies with hats might be the only thing it has in common with Ascot. Yesterday was the 68th edition of the party and the ladies under the 1200 guests all made an effort to look their best.

For the 5th time in the history of the party the ‘golden herring’ was awarded, this time to Prof. Mr Pieter van Vollenhoven, brother-in-law of Queen Beatrix. He received the award because of his efforts for safety and for the support of victims. In the weapen room of the castle poets Driek van Wissen and Pierre Rawie read their ode, which caused much laughter. The professor himself replied: ‘Next time I have another row with a minister I will quote from your work’.

After the ceremony the guests went to the actual party, in the garden of the castle. Among the guests were three of Pieter’s four sons: prince Maurits, prince Pieter-Christiaan and prince Floris. Other guests were Mary Rost-Onnes (wife of the banker Jaap Rost-Onnes), Heineken CEO Philip de Ridder, Randstad co-founder Frits Goldschmeding, Interior Minister Guusje Ter Horst and Martine van Loon-Labouchere, grand mistress of HM the Queen.

Filed under The Netherlands
Tagged Awards, Martine van Loon-Labouchere, Prince Floris of Orange-Nassau, Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau, Prince Pieter-Christiaan of Orange-Nassau, Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven.