Royal presence at the Opening Ceremony and Captains Dinner
His Highness Prins Maurits of Oranje-Nassau van Vollenhoven together with the Princess Marilene of Oranje-Nassau brought some glamour to The Tall Ships’ Races in Den Helder yesterday when they attended both the Opening Ceremony and the Captains’ Dinner.
Photo: L to r: Mayor Hulman of Den Helder with His Highness Prins Maurits of Oranje-Nassau.
The Opening Ceremony drew a large crowd in front of the stage where the Prince and Princess joined Mayor Hulman of Den Helder and other local dignitories to watch a singer and orchestra. Mayor Hulman then welcomed the Captains and their ships to Den Helder and thanked them for bringing their vessels to the port for the biggest event that the city has ever seen.
Knut Western, the Chairman of The Tall Ships’ Races 2008, said that while the Olympics may be going on in Beijing, the young trainees that had just finished the race had been, “no less Olympic in their eagerness to win and with no less Olympic spiit.”
The Prince and Princess then led the Captains the short distance to the Captains’ Dinner. Patrice L’Hour, Captain of Etoile, the French Navy vessel, thanked the city of Den Helder on behalf of the captains, with a charming speech that made everyone laugh, including the royal guests of honour.
Entertainment during the dinner was provided by a talented violinist from the Royal Marine Band, a Royal Marine drum group and a French band of drumming Troubadors who danced around the diners before escorting them outside into the crowd. Once outside the Troubadors were lifted into the air on an unusual spider-like contraption, spotlit as they drummed in the sky and joined by a trapeze artist.
Today will see the crews parade through the streets in their traditional parade before the final prize giving. It is hoped the rain will stop falling long enough for them to fully enjoy the focus of the city’s attention.
Between 50-70,000 people are estimated to have visited the fleet yesterday with these numbers rising day by day to a peak on Saturday for the Parade of Sail. All the vessels are now in port.
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