The Taste of Soestdijk: A Journey Through the Royal Kitchen

On November 18, 2025, PostNL will issue the stamp sheet *De Smaak van Soestdijk*, the day before the opening of the exhibition of the same name at Soestdijk Palace. The exhibition (November 19, 2025, to March 29, 2026) takes visitors on a tasteful journey of discovery of culinary traditions and royal dining moments. The exhibition is being curated in collaboration with the former chef to Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard. The stamp design was created by graphic designer Marty Schoutsen of Opera Concept & Design, based on an idea by Nicole Uniquole.

The Taste of Soestdijk

Soestdijk Palace opens its doors on November 19, 2025, for a major exhibition on the art of food and hospitality at the court. The exhibition, *The Taste of Soestdijk*, takes visitors on a flavorful journey of discovery through culinary traditions and royal dining moments. From grand dinners for international guests to intimate family meals, this exhibition offers an original perspective on the kitchen as the beating heart of this royal family home. For the first time, the historic kitchens are opening their doors, giving visitors a glimpse into how the House of Orange cooked, ate, and enjoyed good company. The exhibition was curated in part based on input from Ben Gortworst, former chef to Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard.

Pastry chef Robèrt van Beckhoven, known from All of Holland Bakt, created chocolate masterpieces for the exhibition. For De Smaak van Soestdijk, designers and artists have made contemporary objects that align with the way we gather at the table today. In the installation, these contemporary designs are brought into dialogue with historical centerpieces and dinnerware from the Royal Collections, as an interplay between past and present, tradition and contemporary design. The exhibition De Smaak van Soestdijk runs from 19 November 2025 to 29 March 2026. Each of the 5 framed stamps on the stamp sheet *De Smaak van Soestdijk* features a photograph, object, or artwork on display at the exhibition of the same name at Soestdijk Palace. It concerns from left to right: photo of a footman with Sèvres service prior to a dinner for the Diplomatic Corps (1964), photo of Chocolate Orange by Frieda Mellema (2014), Delft Blue Peacock Symphony service plate by Royal Delft (2017), De Smaak van Soestdijk service plate by Nicole Uniquole and cookware store Oldenhof (2025), and photo of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard on the lawn behind Soestdijk Palace (1995). On the selvage, behind the strip of stamps, the 19th-century national coat of arms of the Kingdom of the Netherlands can be seen. The depicted national coat of arms is located on the doors of the Leuvenzaal in Soestdijk Palace. In the upper left corner of the selvage, the title of the stamp sheet appears above the Soestdijk Palace logo. On the selvage, in the background, we see a golden lettering pattern with a color gradient, which was developed as the identity for the exhibition De Smaak van Soestdijk. The design of the stamps was created by graphic designer Marty Schoutsen of Opera Concept & Design, based on an idea by Nicole Uniquole. Edition of 6000 sheets.  

Soestdijk Palace

Soestdijk Palace is a former royal palace in Baarn. The original seventeenth-century building is named after the 'Zoesdijc' on which it was situated. From 1937 to 2004, it was the residence of Crown Princess and later Queen Juliana of the Netherlands (1909-2004) and her husband Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (1911-2004). From the late 1970s until 2017, it was the property of the State of the Netherlands.

On June 8, 2017, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations announced that the palace and the accompanying estate were sold to MeyerBergman Erfgoed Groep for 1,7 million euros. This amount was a 'symbolic sum,' representing every Dutch person who wants to get a front-row seat for a dime, according to co-owner Maya Meijer-Bergmans. The palace and estate were intended to become a “testing ground” for innovation, where institutes, companies, and startups could present themselves to a broad audience. Hospitality facilities, such as a 120-room hotel, were also planned. The forest area, which is currently closed off, would be opened to recreational visitors. An apartment complex was planned on the grounds of the former military police barracks, along with 98 homes in the immediate vicinity. (Above is a paper sealing stamp with an image in blue on white of Soestdijk Palace, surmounted by the coats of arms of Juliana and Bernhard. With the dates of the engagement and the wedding. This stamp is the property of Museum Rotterdam.) On February 23, 2022, after years of discussion, the final zoning plan including a hotel, event venue, and residences was approved by the municipal council of the municipality of Baarn. Opponents of this plan lodged an objection with the Council of State in April 2022. These included the organizations Natuurmonumenten, de Natuur, Milieu Federatie Utrecht, Het Utrechts Landschap, Behoud het Borrebos, Behoud de Eemvallei, Parel van Baarn, Werkgroep Roofvogels Nederland, and private individuals.

(Following the exhibition 'The Century of Juliana, a Queen and Her Ideals' at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, from October 15, 2022, to April 10, 2023, the sheet 'Juliana 1909-2004 of the Netherlands' was issued.) On January 24, 2024, the Council of State ruled in favor of the objectors and struck down the zoning plan. On March 15, 2024, the MeyerBergman Erfgoed Groep announced that it was abandoning the new construction plans in the vicinity of the former Palace. However, work would begin on the restoration of the building. In November 2024, the owner opted to set up temporary exhibitions in the palace, organize walking tours on the estate, and accommodate asylum seekers on the former military police barracks grounds. Source: PostNL.  

<strong> More info: </strong>

You receive a tasty discount of €2,50 on a visit to the Smaak van Soestdijk exhibition. Use the promo code 'SoestStamp' when ordering your tickets online. Expo 'The Taste of Soestdijk – A Journey Through the Royal Kitchen, 19 November 2025 to 29 March 2026: https://www.paleissoestdijk.nl/agenda/de-smaak-van-soestdijk/ Previous museum blogs: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/tag/made-in-holland/ Previous Royal House blogs: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/tag/koninklijk-huis/