‘Racist’ royal coach off limits due to colonial history, says Dutch king
- Holland’s King Willem-Alexander says golden carriage will not be used as long as the Netherlands’ colonial history remains controversial
- The main point of contention is an illustration on the coach, which depicts a white woman on a throne with half-naked black people at her feet, offering her gifts
A coach that has fallen into discredit because it is decorated with images widely viewed as racist will no longer be used by the Dutch royal family, King Willem-Alexander announced on Thursday.
“We cannot write the past anew. But we can try together to come to terms with it,” he said in a video message about the vehicle known as the Golden Coach. He said the coach will be off limits so long as the Netherlands’ colonial history remains controversial.
“The Golden Coach will only travel again once the Dutch are ready for that step. And that is not the case right now.”
The coach is one of the symbols of the Dutch monarchy, but is seen by many as a representation of racism and repression throughout the 200 years when it was a colonial power.
The main point of contention is an illustration on one of its sides. Named “Tribute From the Colonies,” it depicts a white woman on a throne with half-naked black people at her feet, offering her gifts.
The controversy has raged for years, particularly about whether the monarch can in good faith be seen riding in it.
The Dutch royal couple traditionally uses the coach to travel to the opening of parliament every September. But it has not been used since 2015, when the coach was taken away for restoration work after almost 125 years.