THE BAND OF THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS MARECHAUSSEE — THE NETHERLANDS
The Band of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is based in Apeldoorn, a city liberated by members of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division on April 17, 1945. Today, they’re one of seven military bands based within the country, and their 50 talented musicians are all highly-skilled performers who break down into concert and marching bands, as well as into smaller big band, brass quintets and quartets, and a sax quartet.
The former queen, Princess Beatrix, is their patron and the Band of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is proud of their connection to the Royal Family and to the Royal Family’s strong Canadian ties. During the Second World War, the Dutch royals arrived safely in Canada and Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa—though the hospital ward was briefly declared extraterritorial to ensure the newborn’s Dutch citizenship.
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is the country’s military police, and its Canadian equivalent is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It’s been nearly 20 years since The Band of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee was last here, and this summer, they’re back in Halifax to celebrate the strong bonds of friendship that exist between Canada and the Netherlands following the Liberation of Holland in 1945.
