Koningin Wilhelmina in een rijtuig voor het Rijksmuseum, op weg naar de troonsbestijging te Amsterdam in 1898 1898

Albert Greiner captured this photograph of Queen Wilhelmina in her carriage, heading towards her inauguration in Amsterdam, in 1898. Observe the banners festooned with heraldic symbols adorning the backdrop. These emblems, though specific to the Dutch monarchy, resonate with age-old traditions of power and lineage. Consider the eagle, for example. From the Roman Empire to Napoleonic France, this symbol has represented imperial authority. Its presence on these banners speaks to a deep-seated human desire for strong leadership and national pride. Even the very act of parading before the public can be traced back to ancient victory celebrations, reinforcing a potent image of leadership. Symbols, like the eagle, carry a historical weight. They evolve, of course, yet they remain deeply entrenched in our collective memory, subtly influencing our perception of power and legitimacy. The banners and carriage are not just decorations, but anchors of meaning. In this way, history repeats itself.