On December 11, 2014, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands officially opened the Nationaal Militair Museum at the Park Vliegbasis Soesterberg.

According to RVD, the museum highlights:

“…[the] meaning of the Dutch armed forces of the past, present and future. Personal stories of soldiers from all ranks and times are illustrated by the extensive collections of the Army and Air Force. In addition to large objects such as tanks and aircraft, six theme areas where all aspects of the armed forces are discussed.”

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Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH

On Thursday, December 4, 2014, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands presided over the Militaire Willems-Orde (Knight of the Military Order of William) held at the Binnenhof Square in Den Haag.

According to RVD, the Militaire Willems-Orde is “…the highest Dutch Knighthood for Courage, Tact, and Loyalty in the Army…” The recipient of the Militaire Willems-Orde went to Major Gijs Tuinman.

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On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attended the 3rd Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition seminar in Amsterdam. During today’s meeting Her Majesty received a copy of the DSGC’s report entitled, Sustainable Innovation.

According to RVD, within the report are:
“…examples of innovative products and partnerships that contribute to solving social challenges such as climate change, biodiversity, hunger, health care, sanitation and poverty.

The seminar and the DSGC report underlines the role of business in achieving climate and sustainable development adopted by the United Nations in 2015.”

Earlier in the day, Her Majesty arrived at Nordwin College in Leeuwarden to visit the offices of the S-Team van Stichting Het Buro. The S-Team “…connects volunteers, 1-on-1, with students to prevent early school absence…” according to the news agency, PPE.

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On Monday, December 1, 2014, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attended the 2014 Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Prijs held at the Theater Amsterdam in Amsterdam.  The winner of this year’s award went to theatre director, Mr. Johan Simons.

The Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Prijs, worth 150,000 Euros, is:

“…is awarded annually to a person or institution with a great track record in the field of culture and nature in the Netherlands.  [Mr. Simons received the award] for his great services to the theater arts at home and abroad. He has a unique form of theater developed that was another factor, and for Dutch theater. By continuing to support new actors and directors, he also brings a distinct contribution to the development of talented theater.”

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Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH

On November 26, 2014, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands opened the Blue Energy test facility on the Afsluitdijk in Breezanddijk.

According to the Associated Press, Blue Energy:

“…takes advantage of the difference in salt concentration between sea water and fresh water to produce electricity.

One reason to try the system in the Netherlands is geography: the Rhine and Meuse rivers both meet the sea here. The plant is strategically located on the Afsluitdijk, the huge dike that turned part of the North Sea into a freshwater lake in the 1930s.

The multiyear project, funded by a mix of government and corporate sponsors, seeks to improve the system’s efficiency until it is a profitable electricity source.”

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On Thursday, November 13, 2014, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands opened the new CONO Kaasmakers (cheesemakers) building in Westbeemster.

And, that’s it.

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Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH