The parents of Karst Tates, the man who carried out the car attack at this year's Queen's Day celebrations, say the tragic events took them completely by surprise. In an interview with news agency ANP, the parents said they had no inkling that their son was likely to carry out such an attack. The last time they spoke to him was the day before Queen's Day, when he called his mother to wish her a happy birthday.

Kind and considerate
His parents say as far as they are aware, he had nothing against the royal family or Queen Beatrix, whom he saw as "a stable factor". They describe their son as a kind and considerate person who did not have friends but was close to his family.

Some years ago, having got into debt, Karst became homeless and spent some time living in a tent. However, he then found a job and a place to live, and paid off his debts. In a subsequent factory job, in the autumn of last year he clashed with his employers, whom he felt had treated him unfairly.

Nevertheless, in the past month his parents had been under the impression that his life was actually improving. "He must have gone mad at that moment," his father concludes. "This was not the Karst we know."
 

On Friday evening there will be a remembrance service for the victims of the attack. Queen Beatrix, her sister Princess Margriet and her husband Pieter van Vollenhoven will attend, as well as Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima. Mr. Van Vollenhoven, who is heading the national Safety Council, said on Thursday the family are still in shock about the attack, and like the relatives of those killed, is trying to come to terms with the tragic incident.

One of the injured is still in critical condition, Apeldoorn mayor Fred de Graaf told the press after a special session of the local council.