Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-05
GROWING A QUEEN
WILL BE EURoPE's NEXT GREAT
ROYAL EVENT.
PREPARATIONS OF THE DUTCH.
Hotel Accommodation at a Premium
in Amsterdam, Although the Cere-
helmina's Digniaed Bearing.
Correspondence of the Dispatch)


AMSTERDAM. May 2o.-It is surely
woman's era when three queens rule as
many nations of Europe. This will be
The case when the next great event OF
the year will have passed into history by
Tho installation as Queen of the Neither
lands OF Wilhelmina. daughter Of the
late King William Ill, and his second
Wife, Princess Emma. The ceremony of
browning the girl queen of the Neither
lands will take place in the New church,
Amsterdam, on September 9th.
To grow up with the eyes of nation
watching the girl 10 develop and rejoic-
Ing as she changes from a pretty child
into an unusually attractive woman, Is
a lot that any one might envy. Such
has been the life OF Wilhelmina. Her
budding beauty has been raved over and
written about as few other young women's
locks have been: her mental qualities
have been praised in the way to turn the
head OF less vain young person, and
In q word, she has been the idol OF the
nation, and the pride of every Dutch
man In the Netherlands since she first
won their hearts as a cute child of
riding a pretty little Shetland pony. Now
that the time has come when she is 10
leave childhood behind and become the
woman and the Queen, the picture she
presents Is one that the nation respects
as well as loves. For Wilhelmina is
a dignlfled miss. who knows how to de-
port herself when the public eye is upon
her, and great functionaries of state are
paying her homage.
She will have need Of all her self-pOs-
session on September 9Th, however, FOR
the ordeal will be trying one. Wihel-
nina is supposed 20 come Of age on that
date. AS a usual thing. boys and girls
OF the Netherlands do not come of age
until they are %. but in this case VII
helmina. being queen, Is allowed TO
come OF age on her eighteenth birthday.
On the Slst OF August, therefore, the
Queen Regent will cease TO rule. and
Wilhelmina will become Queen Of the
Netherlands. although her coronation will
not take place until September 9Th
The programme Is already arranged,
and II is certainly an interesting one.
The Queen and the Queen Regent are
20 leave the Hague, where the birthday
OF the former viii have been suitably
celebrated few days previously. on Sep
TENDER 5th, early in the afternoon. Ar
irving at the Weesperpoot Station at
AulsterQdfl, tDeV VIII De met Dy tnS ltdu-
Ing citizens and representatives OF the
government and. accompanied by an
escort Of Hussars. VIII be driven 10 the
palace by route sufficiently circuitous
20 enable a vast concourse of spectators
20 witness the procession. In every street
10 be traversed the decorations will be
OF the most ornate description and loyal
greetings will meet her Majesty's eye at
every turn. while portion OF the route.
II u expected. will be lined by representa-
tiyes OF Tabor corporations" carrying
their respective banners. Between the
hours OF and on the following morn
Ing september 6th) curious music Will
fail upon the ears OF citizens. for from
fhe steeples OF the different churches
sfompeters are TO play excerpts from
>sacrsd woFks-surely novel departure in
Al o'clock on the same day, accord
ing 70 present arrangements, tine corona
non service viii take place I'm the Nieuye
herk. but the details OF the ceremonial
nave yet 70 be discussed and brought 20
completion In tho aftsrnoon the Queen