Since I heard that the new tableware of the Dutch Royal Family was on display this summer, I wanted to have a look. I didn’t want to go to The Hague twice and as I wanted to see the stables, I decided to skip the Noordeinde Palace. However someone told me some pieces of the tableware were also on display at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam this summer. Reason enough to travel to Amsterdam.
The new tableware – dinner service and glassware – was first used on 23 May 2017 at the gala dinner for the Corps Diplomatique in the Citizens’ Hall in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. It is used during large-scale official dinners, such as state banquets, dinners for important foreign guests during official visits or receptions for foreign ambassadors. These events are usually being held at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, or at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. These usually take place about 6 to 8 times a year.
The old service had been used for more than 40 years, and was bought under King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, grandmother Queen Juliana. For huge dinners one needs at least 275 complete 9-piece dinnerware sets and 5-piece glassware sets. Unfortunately the old dinnerware couldn’t be ordered anymore and there were not enough pieces left to guarantee that 275 guests could be received. Therefore a new service was ordered. 350 new 9-piece dinnerware sets were ordered and delivered. One 9-piece dinnerware set exists of a plate for the starter, plate for the main course, plate for the dessert, soup dish, underplate for the soup dish, underplate for the starter and dessert, underplate for the main course, and in case you wonder: cups-and-saucer for tea and mocha.
“Blossom Panache” is the name of the new dinner service that was produced – of course – by Royal Delft (Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles), that makes Delft Blue pottery already since 1653. The mark of the manufacturer can be found at the underside of the pieces of the service, unique is that the mark is in gold instead of the traditional blue glaze. The decorations feature kingfishers and orange blossoms, as well as geometric patterns. The service also features the joint monogram of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, that is also woven into the creme coloured napkins. On the underside of the plates one can find the text “Saevis tranquillus in undis” (standing firm on turbulent waves), the motto of Prince William of Orange (1533-1584).
The new glassware was produced by Royal Leerdam Crystal, another Dutch company. The “Wedding Crystal Service”, with the monogram of the couple engraved, was presented to them on the occasion of the marriage of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima in 2002. As there weren’t enough pieces of the glassware left that had been in use in the past century, and it wasn’t possible anymore to buy new additions, it was chosen to add pieces to this wedding service.
Fore more pictures see website of the Royal House
Wow…So unique tableware! I am a great fan of blue color and I want to own these tableware. These would look amazing in some party. And I would love to show them off.