a century of female monarchs
This exhibition ran from 18 April to 31 August 2025.
Counterplay highlighted the personal touch of the three Dutch queens Wilhelmina, Juliana and Beatrix and their role as monarch against the background of radical social change.
Counterplay tells the story of the reigns. How they deal with their position as both women and royalty? How they fulfil their role in a male-dominated world? What is the role of the press and the public in their story?
On the basis of seven key events, using publications that examine some persistent myths, debunking or shedding new light on them, and offering new perspectives on the monarchy.
Seven key points
Wilhelmina
the first woman to ascend the throneWilhelmina came to the throne at a time when women were still unable to vote, evolving from a teenage monarch to a strong leader.
Juliana
the perfect formula for a crown princessJuliana broke with tradition by becoming the first Dutch royal to attend university. She enjoys her freedom in Leiden and develops her own sense of fashion. Juliana falls head over heels for Bernhard; a German-born nobleman.
Roles of the royal family
during the Second World WarThe German invasion in May 1940 forces the Dutch royal family to flee. How do mother Wilhelmina and daughter Juliana maintain a strong bond with the Dutch people?
‘The perfect image’
at Soestdijk PalaceSoestdijk Palace was the setting for the perfect picture in the 1950s. The Netherlands sees what it wants to see: the traditional family took centre stage. But behind this facade, a crisis rages.
Renewal and transformation
in the 60sDutch feminist group Dolle Mina, emancipation, youth culture and the second feminist wave. How does the conservative royal family respond to these developments?
A wobbly house
the survival of the royal houseThe Lockheed affair in 1976 really shakes up the royal family for the first time. The press is ruthlessly critical.
Beatrix
The ‘CEO of BV Nederland’Beatrix modernised the monarchy without losing any dignity, and restored the distance between monarch and people.
Copyright
Not all photos are free to use. For more information about usage and/or image rights, please contact the press department.
Royal collections
Royal Collections The Hague is a lender for Counterplay.
Social changes
World War II
Feminism
Emancipation
Discover three generations of female monarchy. Counterplay shows how three generations of women have contributed to the Netherlands as we know it today.
