800th stamp blog: Counterplay in Apeldoorn
Competition is fierce among the various museums. Every museum wants to present the 'best' exhibition to a large number of visitors. This is good for the museum, but also for the city. Just think of the hospitality industry and the shopkeepers. Museums are struggling due to rising energy costs, personnel costs, and accommodation costs. On the other hand, they are receiving less government subsidy. In this 800th edition, this is the last opportunity to see the exhibition 'Tegenspel' at Paleis Het Loo, until August 31, 2025.
Expo Tegenspel is about the identity and positioning of female monarchy.
On April 18, 2025, Paleis Het Loo opens the exhibition *Tegenspel – de eeuw van vrouwtje vorstschap* (Counterplay – the century of female monarchy). The exhibition tells the story of the monarchy and the personal challenges of three female monarchs against the backdrop of profound societal changes and public perception. It is an exhibition about identity, counterplay, and positioning. By linking historical context to contemporary themes, visitors can reflect on their own views regarding image, gender, and power. With *Tegenspel*, Paleis Het Loo explores how the Royal House has adapted to the societal changes of the 20th century, in an era in which three successive queens reigned and in which tradition and modernity often clashed.
Double roles
Tegenspel highlights how Queens Wilhelmina, Juliana, and Beatrix each gave a personal twist to the monarchy. The dual role of ruling and motherhood, the tradition of the royal wedding, and dynastic responsibility, against the backdrop of a society in which the position of women underwent a revolutionary development. The story is told through seven key moments. In doing so, use is made of recent publications that debunk or nuance persistent myths and offer new perspectives on the monarchy.
Societal changes in gender and power
Their reigns constitute a masterclass in female leadership. Wilhelmina ascended the throne at a time when women did not yet have the right to vote. She rose from a teenage monarch to a powerful leader. Her daughter Juliana broke centuries-old traditions by becoming the first Dutch princess to pursue a university education during the vibrant 1920s. Her diplomatic role during the Second World War was more significant than the prevailing image. Beatrix modernized the monarchy without sacrificing dignity and restored the distance between monarch and people.
Design 3 generations of Queens (2009)
On April 28, 2009, it was one hundred years since our former Queen Juliana was born. When Willem-Alexander ascends the throne, a period of women on the throne will come to an end. To mark this occasion, TNT Post is issuing a special stamp sheet: 3 generations of queens. A stamp folder, first-day cover, and prestige booklet are also being released.
The designer of the stamp sheet is Julia Born. Born based her design on three existing Queen's stamps: the stamp commemorating the 25th anniversary of Wilhelmina's reign (1923, designed by W.A. van Konijnenburg), the '15 Years Statute for the Kingdom' stamp (1969, by Pieter Brattinga), and the well-known Beatrix stamp by Peter Struycken, which was released in 1981.
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