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Princess Amalia promoted in the Royal Navy

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Princess Amalia was promoted from corporal to sergeant in the Royal Navy as part of her study and work program at Defensity College. The promotion was presented as part of the longstanding relationship between the Dutch royal family and the armed forces.

Military historian Erwin van Loo said in a podcast that the connection dates back to Willem van Oranje and has become more symbolic since the constitutional changes of the 19th century. He also discussed the military service of King Willem-Alexander, who served in the Navy until he became king in 2013, and said that Amalia is the first Dutch princess to serve actively in the armed forces. According to the account, her participation was followed by an increase in applications to Defensity College.

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Politics

Black Manifest plan calls for action on the colonial past

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The Black Manifest, a plan by organisations campaigning against racism, was presented to Prime Minister Dick Schoof? Jetten and called on the cabinet and King Willem-Alexander to work on repairing disadvantages linked to the Netherlands’ colonial past. Dagmar Oudshoorn of Amnesty International Netherlands said that recognition and apologies should now be followed by structural and sustainable measures in areas including institutional racism, the labour market, education and healthcare. The plan contains proposals for each ministry, according to the organisations involved. The call followed an independent investigation commissioned by the king into his family history. The study, published in five books totaling about 2,000 pages, reportedly found that the Orange family had supported colonialism for centuries and earned half a billion euros from it. Oudshoorn said the king could use his position and influence to support recovery, while noting that he acts under ministerial responsibility. The king has said the investigation’s “uncomfortable outcomes” strengthened his commitment to freedom, rights, connection, healing and reconciliation.