Dutch King Willem-Alexander (C-R) and Queen Maxima (C) arrive at the Ridderzaal in The Hague, on September 18, 2018. (ANP/AFP/Robin Utrecht) |
Dutch King Willem-Alexander may stop using a
ceremonial horse-drawn carriage with images celebrating the Netherlands' former
rule over colonies, he said on Friday, following an upsurge in criticism of the
"Golden Carriage".
The gilded wooden carriage was built in 1898 and is
decorated on one side with a panel called "Tribute of the Colonies",
which shows Black and Asian subjects bringing offerings to a white woman on a
throne representing the Netherlands.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in June he was aware
the carriage, which has been undergoing restoration since 2015, "summons
emotions", but added: "it's all part of our history."
The carriage, along with statues of naval heroes from
the country's 17th century golden age, has become a hot topic of debate in the
wake of Black Lives Matter protests.
"We're following the discussion, I'm listening to
it," King Willem-Alexander said during an annual meeting with the press,
when members of the royal family pose for pictures.
"As long as there is implicit and explicit
discrimination in the Netherlands, we must tackle that as a society," he
added.
The carriage traditionally transports the king to
address parliament every September, but is not due to be back in service until
2021.
The king said there would be no move to change the
decorations during its repairs.
"It's part of our cultural heritage, so we're not
going to be re-writing history with the restoration," he said.
"Once the restoration has been completed, then
we'll see."
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