Royal walk
The program of the Royal Walk has been announced. The walk starts on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live by NOS on NPO1 on Saturday, April 26. Read below what to expect per section or browse through the program booklet.
You can download the program booklet here (PDF, 22MB).
The walking route
Program in brief
Reception in Doetinchem (and the Achterhoek region)
- Arrival of bus at Amphion theater
- Column of motorcycles, Brek’rs and various bicycles move out in front of the bus through Burgemeester van Nispenstraat
- Salute from flagmen and Normaal with “Oerend Hard”
Program
We welcome the Royal family as only we can. We start with that before the official reception. Trail and cross motorcycles, mopeds, electric Brek’rs and unique bicycles are waiting for the Royal family at the Amphion. They accompany the bus to the intersection of Burgemeester van Nispenstraat – Plantsoenstraat where the family gets out and is officially received by mayor Mark Boumans and the (nominated) King’s Commissioner Daniël Wigboldus.
The men from the band Normaal are also a must-see at any Achterhoek reception. While the Royal family steps out, they play the song ‘Oerend Hard’. We are curious to know whether the members of the Royal family are familiar with the Achterhoek phenomenon ‘høken’! At the same time, flag bearers from the region (NL and D) form a traditional guard of honour waving flags for a warm welcome. The flag bearers pay tribute to the family with a specially designed Achterhoek King’s Flag by artificial intelligence.
Program in brief
The family is welcomed by the militia kings and queens.
- Greetings from the royal couples to the Royal family
- The birds were made and painted by children from various primary schools in the region (NL and D)
- Bird designed by young entrepreneur using AI
Program
We are the old and the new life, here in the Achterhoek. The kings and queens of the shooting clubs, an honorary title that is competed for every year, are perhaps the most well-known proof of our ‘old life’. That is why this should certainly not be missing on King’s Day. The king or queen who wins the title represents the shooting club, has a social function and helps to maintain cultural and historical traditions. Various shooting kings and queens from the region and our German neighbouring municipalities receive the Royal Family.
The decor is characterized by special birds, made by children from the region and from Germany. They make these ‘king birds’ as part of a cross-border school project. This school project is coordinated by primary school teacher Jacoba van der Valk. The models of the king birds were made with the help of AI by a young entrepreneur from the region.
Program in brief
Reception at the Mark Tennantplantsoen by Ariane Kop, director and manager of the Amphion Cultural Company.
- Opening by Shuffle Percussion Group
- The living still life of Louise te Poele
- Various dance groups from the Achterhoek will perform
- A big festive ending with Sander Berendsen, orchestra and Achterhoek talents
Program
The Achterhoek is full of art and culture. Not only has our Amphion Theater been voted the best theater in the Netherlands four times, but there is also plenty to experience and admire here. We would like to introduce the Royal family to this using the following themes:
- Poetic, theatrical, small and surprising
- Tradition and innovation moving together
- Festive celebration of talent and community spirit
The Royal family arrives at the Mark Tennantplantsoen. Here they are received by director-manager of Amphion Cultuurbedrijf Ariane Kop and artist Louise te Poele. Louise has designed a still life for King’s Day: a bright and colorful ode to the Achterhoek spirit. It starts with a welcome gate towards the unexpected and a celebration of surprising beauty and traditions.
The Shuffle Percussion Group provides an energetic opening, inviting the Royal Family to pick up rhythms from the percussionists. Dancers Lisa & Serah accompany the Royal Family through the gate further into the park.
From the living artwork, the company moves on to the dance floor, where local dancers and acrobats perform an impressive act around the theme of tradition vs. innovation, fusing old and new elements. Here, the boundaries between styles blur and a climax is reached, emphasizing the importance of cooperation.
The chapter ends with a special song, made by Sander Berendsen. This song, in which the region is central, is sung by singers from various choirs from the Achterhoek, from young to old. They are accompanied by the Warboel Orchestra, which is expanded especially for this day with other members of various orchestras from the region.
The singers practice the chorus together with the audience, thus forming one large choir with which the Royal Family is sung towards the next chapter.
Program in brief
Reception by Ellen Willems
- A tour of the Achterhoek farm and an ode to city farmer Anna Reintjes
- Meet various chefs and farmers from the region
- A feast from the Achterhoek kitchen
Program
In the Achterhoek we use the back door. The Royal family therefore enters via the yard, ‘back’. Here they are received by Ellen Willems, city farmer of Doetinchem.
Ellen took over from Anna Reintjes, the first real city farmer of Doetinchem. On the farm we pay tribute to Anna. She cycled to her two cows every day, milked them by hand and went home with two buckets of milk in her bike bag. A historical image that many Doetinchem residents have fond memories of. A few years after her death, Ellen Willems started the project the City Farmer. Watch the item from Omroep Gelderland about Anna’s cows.
Walking across the land where our food is produced, the Royal Family meets various farmers from the region. They show themselves and their products on the farm.
We enter the kitchen through the back door. It is cozy there and the pans are simmering on the stove. We sit down at the kitchen table. The place where people eat, laugh and cry and where the most beautiful plans are devised. At the Achterhoek kitchen table sit people from far away and people from here. Because food connects! Cooked by chefs from the Achterhoek with roots here but also further away. They prepare delicious dishes from Achterhoek products that the Royal family and the people in the audience can enjoy. 58 guests are seated at the specially decorated tables. The age that the King may reach on April 27.
Beautiful recycled clothing and green art on the festively set tables adorn the decor. Live music in the Achterhoek dialect completes the picture.
Program in brief
Reception by Maurice Tepperik and Pascal Kamperman
- A relay of sporting talents from the Achterhoek
- An insight into the large and versatile range of sports and exercise options for young and old
Program
At the Sportlaan, Maurice Tepperik (director-manager Sport-ID) and Pascal Kamperman (Achterhoek in Beweging) receive the Royal family. They guide the family through various sports and exercise activities. We introduce the Royal family to Achterhoek sports talents and volunteers. We provide an insight into the large and versatile range of sports and exercise in Doetinchem and the Achterhoek, which we are so incredibly proud of: “The Achterhoek, the largest association in the Netherlands!”
During King’s Day we emphasize the connecting role and social contribution of sports clubs in the Achterhoek. On this day, athletes and volunteers show in relay form that exercise in the region is possible for everyone from 0 to 100 years old. Connection, inclusion, cooperation and fun as the basis for a long life of sports and exercise for everyone.
Fun detail: the relay is set in motion by a giant Achterhoek ball. This ball has already made a whole tour through the 8 Achterhoek municipalities prior to King’s Day. The ball will visit various sports clubs to pick up the athletes and volunteers for the Sportlaan.
Program in brief
Reception by team coaches: Guus Hiddink, Lonneke Slöetjes and Aniek van Koot
- ‘The little Vijverberg’ on the Town Hall Square
- ‘t Geet hier spoken’: emergence of quiz teams led by Graafschap players
- Quiz (in 3 teams)
Program
Football club De Graafschap is not only a household name in Doetinchem, but in the entire Achterhoek. The iconic stadium De Vijverberg is unfortunately not within reach of the walking route during King’s Day. Problem? Not for an Achterhoeker! Then we simply bring De Vijverberg to us!
On the Raadhuisplein we are building ‘De Kleine Vijverberg’. Here the members of the Royal family are welcomed as true sports heroes. The entrance song of De Graafschap, ’t geet hier spooken, should certainly not be missing.
Of course, a stadium needs a competitive element! That is why we are playing a quiz in the stadium. The Royal Family is of course very welcome to participate in this exciting competition!
Program in brief
Reception by Jacoba van der Valk and Rianne te Kaat
- Hamburgerpoort is converted into the ‘King’s Gate’ on the occasion of the King’s birthday
- Rianne te Kaat creates a 3D artwork under the King’s Gate
Program
Doetinchem is a city that was heavily bombed in the Second World War. Much of its history was lost as a result. The artwork ‘the Hamburgerpoort’ is a modern reminder of 1 of the 4 lost city gates that stood around the ‘egg’ of Doetinchem.
Especially for King’s Day, we transform the Hamburgerpoort into a King’s Gate. We do this by attaching all the king birds, made by primary school pupils, to this gate. To complete the picture, Achterhoek (and world-famous) street artist Rianne te Kaat is putting the finishing touches to a 3D artwork that she is making on the ground under the gate.
Program in brief
Reception by Bart Kiers and Nienke Zonsveld
- Rosalie de Graaf is working on an artwork about the old cattle market
- A walk through the present
- Cycling children build their city of the future
Program
Bart Kiers and Nienke Zonsveld (Festival Achterland) take the Royal family on a journey through Doetinchem. From the past to the present and with a look into our future. This chapter is an ode to what makes Doetinchem and life here special. We start with a historical image of Doetinchem, the place to which Doetinchem has traditionally owed its place as a central municipality: the Veemarkt. Street artist Rosalie de Graaf is putting the finishing touches to a special triptych as an ode to that time.
The walk continues through the present and shows the green coulisse landscape that the Achterhoek is so famous for. The Royal family comes along surprising places and unexpected pictures. Encounters with the people from here sketch a picture of life in the Achterhoek. We put ‘the shack’ in the spotlight. These shacks are the epitome of solidarity, connection and neighbourliness. We also show our innovative side in a green setting.
The future is being sketched by our youth. The familiar image of cycling children who travel kilometres in all weathers to get to and from school. While cycling they are building the Doetinchem and Achterhoek of the future. This is being portrayed in a surprising way.
Program in brief
Farewell at the King’s Podium
- Suzan & Freek perform
- Accompanied by the 60-piece orchestra of Phion
- Words of thanks by the mayor and the King
- Closing with the joint singing of the Wilhelmus
Program
After a route of wonder and admiration, of art and culture, of sports, of food and drink, of tradition and innovation, King’s Day 2025 will conclude on the festival grounds at the Doetinchemse Walmolen on the banks of our Oude IJssel.
On this impressive main stage – designed by the makers of Zwarte Cross – the family enters the festival grounds. Here they are invited to the apotheosis of King’s Day 2025.
Of course they cannot be missed: the Achterhoek duo Suzan & Freek! They give a special and unique performance here. And, of course it cannot be otherwise than that King’s Day in Doetinchem is concluded with this song: De Overkant. A song specially written about the birthplace of Suzan and Freek, the Achterhoek.
To top it all off, Suzan and Freek will sing accompanied by the 60-piece orchestra of Phion, the Gelderland and Overijssel orchestra. Watch the video message from Suzan and Freek about their performance during King’s Day.
We will conclude this day with a few words from the King and the mayor, and with the Wilhelmus, which will be heard throughout the Oude IJssel.
Frequently asked questions
This route shows a beautiful part of Doetinchem. In addition, the route is most suitable in terms of infrastructure. The city center will still have enough space for the regular festivities for King’s Day when this route goes just along the city center.
The celebration has a major impact on the accessibility of the center. We do not know exactly what the closures and other traffic measures will look like at the moment. We are working with emergency services and transport companies to create an accessibility and mobility plan for King’s Day.
After the departure of the Royal family, we will gradually lift the measures. At this time, it is not yet known when all roads will be reopened.
The market will not take place on Saturday, April 26. The market will, however, take place on Tuesday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 29.
No, the route is smoke-free.
