Princess Beatrix attends a ballet before leaving for the Caribbean

Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands is preparing to return to the Caribbean territories she loves so much. Just before her departure, the former sovereign attended the Dutch Ballet gala this Monday evening, an annual event that she never misses.

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Princess Beatrix attends the 26th Dansersfonds Dutch Ballet Gala '79

Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, 86, attended the 26th Dansersfonds '79 Dutch Ballet Gala at the DeLaMar in Amsterdam. This event raises funds for scholarships to young dance talents and dancers at the end of their careers. Princess Beatrix attends this evening every year, including this Monday, the day before her departure for Sint-Maarten and Saba.

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Last year, this evening was organized just after Princess Beatrix returned from her trip to the Caribbean. In 2023, the former sovereign visited Curaçao and Aruba. From November 12 to 15, 2024, the mother of King Willem-Alexander will visit Sint-Maarten and Saba. Sint Maarten is an autonomous Caribbean state with its own parliament, government and constitution. The head of state of Sint Maarten is the Dutch sovereign, King Willem-Alexander. As for Saba, the island is considered an overseas municipality of the Netherlands in its own right.

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This Monday, Princess Beatrix took advantage of her last evening on the continent to attend this gala dedicated to Ed Wubbe, artistic director of Scapino Ballet Rotterdam. The gala will feature several ballet excerpts, including a world premiere of a new creation by Wubkje Kuindersma. Nederlands Dans Theater, Introdans, De Dutch Don't Dance Division, Scapino Ballet Rotterdam were the companies that sent their dancers on stage.

At the gala, encouragement awards were also given to promising dancers and a merit award is given to a dancer or choreographer as a token of appreciation. The Dansersfonds '79 was established to financially support dancers who must end their careers due to age or persistent injuries and to encourage and support young dancers.