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Beatrix sought to commemorate end of slavery, not victims
Historian Gert Oostindie has revealed in his new book, ‘Van Willem de Zwijger tot Willem-Alexander’, that former Queen Beatrix intended for the National Slavery Monument in Amsterdam to focus on the end of slavery rather than the commemoration of its victims.
Based on research into the Secret Archive of the Cabinet of the King, Oostindie found personal notes from Beatrix expressing a desire to avoid intense emotions. Her writings indicated a preference against wreath-laying ceremonies, which she viewed as the wrong symbol, and noted her lack of enthusiasm regarding the monument's design.
The findings also suggest that Beatrix declined requests from then-Minister Roger van Boxtel for her or her son, King Willem-Alexander, to unveil the monument, despite pressure to do so.
Entities
Beatrix · Gert Oostindie · House of Orange · National Slavery Monument · Roger van Boxtel
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Beatrix was not enthusiastic about the design of the National Slavery Monument. dagblad010.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · zoetermeersdagblad.nl
- [● 3 SOURCES] Beatrix's personal notes indicated a desire to avoid strong emotions and specifically requested no wreath-laying ceremonies. dagblad010.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · zoetermeersdagblad.nl
- [● 3 SOURCES] The information was discovered through access to the Secret Archive of the Cabinet of the King. dagblad010.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · zoetermeersdagblad.nl
- [● 3 SOURCES] Former Queen Beatrix intended for the National Slavery Monument in Amsterdam to commemorate the end of slavery rather than the victims. dagblad010.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl · zoetermeersdagblad.nl