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Orange is a very symbolic color in the history of the Netherlands, since the proclamation of its independence in the 16th century. At that time, the current territory of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, part of Belgium and northern France was divided into seventeen united provinces, which were held by the powerful monarch Charles V. The latter bequeathed the Seventeen Provinces to his son Philip II, future king of Spain, upon his abdication in 1555.
The region came under the control of the Spanish crown and the policy applied by Philip II of Spain led to numerous tensions. The time for revolt has come. Led by William I of Orange-Nassau, it led to the independence of the seven northern provinces. The counties of Holland and Zeeland, the Duchy of Gelderland, the countries of Utrecht and Groningen and the lordships of Friesland and Overijssel emancipate themselves from Spanish authority.
Promulgated in July 1581, the Hague Act sealed this independence. The seven provinces then formed a new political entity, the United Provinces, which preceded the current kingdom of the Netherlands.
William I of Orange-Nassau and his “Prince’s Flag”
The great architect of this revolt, William I of Orange-Nassau was immediately proclaimed head of the government of the United Provinces. Its flag, called the “Prince’s Flag”, became one of the emblems of this new republic. Made up of three horizontal bands, orange, white and blue (in this order from top to bottom), it refers to the two main territories controlled by William I of Orange-Nassau.
Blue for the county of Nassau and orange in reference to the principality of Orange, located in the current department of Vaucluse and having as its capital the eponymous city, famous in particular for its ancient theater. William I of Orange-Nassau was its prince between 1544 and 1584. The white represents the fight for freedom.
This “Prince’s Flag” was used until 1653 by the Dutch war fleet. This standard also inspired the flag of New York, composed of three vertical bands, blue, white and orange (from left to right). Initially founded in 1625 by Dutch settlers, under the name of New Amsterdam, this city was renamed New York in 1664, when the English took it over.
In the middle of the 17th century, the “Prince’s Flag” was banned by the high authorities of the United Provinces, at the time of the exclusion of the House of Orange-Nassau from political power. It was then replaced by the current flag of the Netherlands, composed of red, white and blue (from top to bottom). The reason for this change is not certain. Some suggest that red was preferred because it was more visible than orange at sea.
Orange, royal color
Excluded from the national flag, the color orange remains associated with the royal family which reigns over the Netherlands. Willem-Alexander, the current king since April 2013, is a descendant of William of Orange. He belongs, like his predecessors, to the House of Orange-Nassau.
Symbol of the history of an entire country, the color orange is released every year in the Netherlands, on the occasion of the national holiday of King’s Day, celebrated on April 27. Naturally, the various Dutch sports teams have also adopted this color so dear to the Dutch.
In football, despite a few first matches played with a white outfit decorated with the three red, white and blue stripes of its national flag, the Dutch selection adopted an orange jersey in 1907, during a match against the England. On that day, December 21, 1907, the Netherlands team suffered a crushing defeat, 12 goals to 2. The largest in its history. The beginnings of Dutch footballers wearing orange were not idyllic. The rest will be quite different, including three (lost) World Cup finals (1974, 1978 and 2010) and a final victory at Euro 1988.
