Aruba, Let’s Have a Royal Time King’s Day 2024!

In April, we Arubans have a royal time!

How can we not? Along with the Netherlands and other Dutch Caribbean islands, we celebrate King’s Day annually, on April 27.

Every year, we eagerly anticipate the national holiday, and the host of fun-filled activities that are held in honour of King Willem-Alexander’s birthday. This April is guaranteed to be the same as families and friends venture out looking for breezy locales to engage in customary kite flying. Others will enjoy the bargains and delicious food at the street fairs, and some of us will attempt to do it all!

As we celebrate this special day and joyfully participating in the festivities, let’s do so more informed. Here are a few fun facts about the Aruba’s King’s Day. 

We’ll play a fun game of ‘did you know‘.

Did you know historically, the holiday was first called Prinsessedag (Princess’ Day), then Koninginnedag and finally Koningsdag, King’s Day?

Did you know the holiday was previously celebrated on April 30? In 2014, it was changed to April 27, in honour of King Willem-Alexander’s birthday.

Did you know on King Willem-Alexander’s birthday, everyone dresses in orange because the royal family bears the name House of Orange? It is also the national colour of the Netherlands.

Did you know oranjebitter or orange bitter is a liqueur first associated with the royal family in the 1600s? Today it is a King’s Day custom to toast the monarch with the orange, flavourful beverage.

There you have it. Several, fun and there we say, interesting facts about our anticipated King’s Day.

Felis Dia Di Rey, Aruba!

Sources: Aruba and Holland.com