On February 27, 2012, His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje attended the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Java Sea held at the Kloosterkerk in Den Haag. Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was to attend the event; however, she decided to stay by her son, Prince Johan Friso, side at Innsbruck University Hospital. As a result, Prince Willem-Alexander replaced the Queen during today’s celebrations.
The Battle of the Java Sea began on February 27, 1942, in which the Allied Forces — Dutch Navy , American Navy and Australian Royal Navy — fought against the Japanese forces. Over 2,300 men lost their lives. Click here for more information and here.
During today’s event Prince Willem-Alexander met with survivors from the battle as well as listened to music by the Dutch Royal Navy Marine Band. According to the website for the Dutch royal family today’s ceremony was :
…organized by the Royal Netherlands Navy Karel Doorman and the Foundation Fund. The Fund was established in 1944 to provide financial support to (former) soldiers of the Royal Navy and their survivors, who by war or service conditions have become financially dependent.
Click the links below to watch a video as well as to view photos.
Source: Het Koninklijk Huis