In Counterplay, Paleis Het Loo will explore how the royal family adapted to social change in the 20th century, in an era that sawthree successive female monarchs on the throne, and in which tradition frequently clashed with modernity.
Double roles
Counterplay will highlight the personal touch that queens Wilhelmina, Juliana and Beatrix brought to their role as monarch. How they navigated the double role of monarch and mother, the tradition of royal marriage and dynastic responsibility, in a society in which the position of women was revolutionised. Their stories will be told on the basis of seven key events, usingpublications that examine some persistent myths, debunking or shedding new light on them, and offering new perspectives on the monarchy.
Social change affecting gender roles and power
The reigns of these three queens were masterclasses in female leadership. Wilhelmina came to the throne at a time whenwomen were still unable to vote, evolving from a teenage monarch to a strong leader. Her daughter Juliana broke with tradition by becoming the first Dutch royal to attend university in the swinging twenties. Her diplomatic role during the Second World War ismore important than people generally realised. Beatrix modernised the monarchy without losing any dignity, and restored the distance between monarch and people.
Counterplay will give visitors a unique glimpse of these women’s lives, through the lens of social change relating to genderroles and power. The exhibition will show how they dealt with being a focus of public attention, and how they wrote new rules forthe monarchy. By focusing on the images projected by both the royal family and the media, the exhibition will also highlight thechanging relations between men and women, and their impact at court. It will show how three generations of women helped makethe Netherlands the country we know today.
Critical view
2025 is the fiftieth anniversary of the first UN International Women’s Year – a perfect opportunity to look back at the lives andinfluence of three female monarchs in a changing world. The Second World War, a key moment in 20th-century history, will also feature in the exhibition, tying in with this year’s celebrations marking 80 years of freedom. By retelling these historic stories,Paleis Het Loo hopes to inspire visitors to take a critical look at their own role in the ongoing development of gender relationsand power.
Counterplay will show at Paleis Het Loo from 18 April to 31 August 2025.