Rijtoer op Prinses Beatrix' eerste verjaardag. 's Gravenhage, 31-1-'39 Possibly 1939

This photograph, taken in The Hague on January 31, 1939 by an anonymous photographer, captures Princess Beatrix's first birthday celebration. In the image, we see a public display of royal family life, a carefully curated moment intended to project stability. The photograph captures Prince Bernhard holding the young princess, with Queen Juliana standing beside them. The setting seems to be the entrance of a formal building, with the family descending the steps, perhaps symbolizing their connection to the public. What does it mean to be born into royalty? The weight of expectation and the performance of a role are all part of the narrative. The young princess is a symbol, and her family embodies the weight and responsibility of monarchy.