Page 2 - Dam Square News Today

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attended a scaled-back World War II remembrance ceremony today as security was tightened amid Gaza protest fears.

The weather will be somewhat variable this weekend. There is a chance of showers on both Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.Saturday will begin dry with some sun, but cloud coverage will increase during the day. It should remain dry in the north nearly the entire day, but in the southern half of the country there will be showers in the afternoon. There will also be some local thunderstorms, with temperatures ranging from 16 to 18 degrees.

Marktplaats, an online marketplace, has deleted many advertisements offering free tickets for the National Remembrance Day on the Dam Square on May 4 for a price. A spokesperson for the company confirmed this after a report from the AD.

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema is “a bit nervous” for the National Remembrance Day ceremony on Dam Square on Saturday, she said on Nieuwsuur on Tuesday evening. This year, the city took extra security measures to prevent spontaneous protests or disruptions. People had to book a spot to attend the commemoration on Dam Square.

Those who want to attend the national Remembrance Day commemoration on Dam Square in Amsterdam on Saturday will have to register in advance, the National Committee 4 and 5 May announced. Attendees can make a free reservation on this site.

In the hope of preventing disturbances on Saturday, total capacity at the central Dam square will be limited to 10,000 - roughly half the normal attendance at the ceremony, the city said.

Amsterdam is taking extra measures to prevent disruptions to the National Commemoration of the Second World War on Dam Square on Remembrance Day, May 4. Far fewer people will be allowed to attend, flags and signs are banned, and the police will search everyone, mayor Femke Halsema decided in consultation with the authorities and the National Committee for 4 and 5 May.

Wim van de Donk, the chairman of the National Committee 4 and 5 May, called on everyone to respect two minutes of silence during the National Commemoration on May 4. “I think we can ask the respect of everyone to observe the silence at that moment and to give space to the undisturbed course of events,” he said.

The Queen of Spain had to sit down for the traditional greetings at the State Banquet held in her honour as she visited the Netherlands with her husband, King Felipe. Queen Letizia was seated for the line up which saw the royal guests and their hosts meet dozens of guests also attending the banquet. Letizia,…

King Willem-Alexander thanked Spanish King Felipe for allowing crown princess Amalia to live and study in Madrid for a year while she faced threats in the Netherlands. The Dutch King expressed his thanks during a state banquet in the royal palace on Dam Square in Amsterdam on Wednesday evening. The Spanish King and Queen are on a state visit to the Netherlands.