To mark the Queen’s Day national holiday, 3,357 people have been given Dutch state honours. The number of recipients is slightly down from recent years.

Most people were made members of the Order of Oranje-Nassau, but 10 people became members of the more exclusive Order of the Dutch Lion.

Out of the limelight
As usual, most people on the Queen's honours list are not well known. For the most part, their efforts on behalf of others have been made away from the glare of publicity.

One man helped people fill in their tax returns as a trade union volunteer for 45 years; another couple looked after foster children; and another woman championed the Dutch victims of forced prostitution in the former Dutch East Indies during occupation in World War Two.

Football star
There are, however, some well-known figures on the list. Dutch football star Clarence Seedorf, at 35, becomes the youngest person to be recognized this year.

He received the honour in Rome from Fons Stoelinga, the Dutch ambassador to Italy, with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi looking on. Seedorf was cited for his contribution to football, his charity work and his positive contribution to the image of the Netherlands abroad.

Actress and television presenter Linda de Mol and entertainer André van Duin also made the list, as well as development economist Louis Emmerij, one of the directors of the United Nations’ Intellectual History Project.

Noraly Beyer

Photo: RNW

Former Radio Netherlands Worldwide journalist and presenter Noraly Beyer was honoured for her work at RNW's Caribbean Service, and for being a role model for women of Surinamese origin in the media and on stage.

For the complete list, click here (in Dutch).

(mw/ae)