The Netherlands' Queen Beatrix was joined by the rest of the Dutch royal family when she bid an emotional farewell to her father at the weekend. Prince Bernhard, who died at the age of 93 two weeks ago, was interred into the royal crypt in Delft on Saturday afternoon.
A trumpeter sounded The Last Post, which is usually played to honour fallen soldiers, as his remains were carried into the crypt. His four daughters, all dressed in off-white, then followed the coffin as the choir sang Faure's Requiem.
The German prince will be remembered as one of the most colourful characters in the Dutch royal household, with a fondness for fast cars and living well. He married Crown Princess Julia in 1937, after meeting her at the Olympic Games, and later became commander in chief of the country's armed forces when Nazi occupation forced them into exile.
His grandson Crown Prince Willem-Alexander was seen wiping away tears during the ceremony, while his wife Maxima likewise had trouble containing her grief. Thousands of marines meanwhile lined the streets outside the New Church, while F-16 fighter jets, flying in "missing man" formation, streaked the sky overhead. The flag-draped coffin also bore a wreath of flowers with a tiny panda bear, a symbol of the World Wildlife Fund which Bernhard helped establish in 1961.
Among the leading royals who made the journey to offer their respects were Denmark's Prince Henrik, Britain's Prince Philip and King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
