Starting today, the exhibition Counterplay tells the story of the reigns and the personal challenges of three Dutch queens, against the background of radical social change and public perceptions. This is an exhibition about identity, counterplay and positioning.
In Counterplay, Paleis Het Loo will explore how the royal family adapted to social change in the 20th century, in an era that saw three successive female monarchs on the throne, and in which tradition frequently clashed with modernity.
Critical view
2025 is the fiftieth anniversary of the first UN International Women’s Year – a perfect opportunity to look back at the lives and influence of three female monarchs in a changing world. The Second World War, a key moment in 20th-century history, will also feature in the exhibition, tying in with this year’s celebrations marking 80 years of freedom.
Key moments
The story is told through seven key moments. Wilhelmina came to the throne at a time when women were still unable to vote, evolving from a teenage monarch to a strong leader. Her daughter Juliana broke with tradition by becoming the first Dutch Princess to attend university in the swinging twenties. Her diplomatic role during the Second World War is more important than people generally realised. Beatrix modernised the monarchy without losing any dignity, and restored the distance between monarch and people.
The exhibition Counterplay is on view until August 31.
