8 May 1946: Winston Churchill visited the Netherlands
On 8 May 1946, Winston Churchill flew to The Netherlands. In Amsterdam
he was received by Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands. Together they
marked the first anniversary of VE-Day.
The Dutch Royal family also received Winston Churchill on Soestdijk Palace
where he was invited to a dinner. Princess Beatrix (later Queen Beatrix of
The Netherlands) knew the former British Prime Minister very well from his
famous speeches. Apperently, her mother, Queen Juliana (then Princess) once
caught her performing a Churchill radio speech, while using a curtain cord as
micro.
Winston Churchill - book Cover
On 9 May 1946, Winston Churchill spoke to the Dutch parliament in
The Hague on 12.30.
On 10 May 1946 he was in Leiden University for the presentation of his
degree. Churchill received an honorary doctorate of law.
Source picture: Wikipedia
On Saturday 11 May 1946, Churchill received in Amsterdam a Gold Medal.
He also took a cruise on the city's canal.
On May 13th. Chuchill visited Rotterdam, the first city of the Netherlands,
which was bombed during World War I. The same day he flew back to England.
Source picture: Wikipedia
On youtube there is a little movie about this special visit to the
Netherlands, check this link.
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