Prince Bernhard laid to rest
2004-12-11 16:45
Delft - Prince Bernhard was laid to rest on Saturday in the royal crypt of the House of Orange after his flag-draped coffin was escorted by cavalry and marines through this ancient Dutch city on a horse-drawn artillery carriage.
Bernhard, the charismatic, German-born husband of former Queen Juliana and father of Queen Beatrix, died of cancer December 1 at age 93. He lay in state last week at the Noordeinde palace in The Hague where more than 40 000 people paid their last respects.
His career marred by scandal, Bernhard was the most colorful figure in the Dutch royal house, respected for his service to his adopted country in World War II and later for his charity work to protect nature.
More than 6 000 soldiers lined the route as his coffin was slowly borne on an antique carriage to the 400-year-old Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church, in Delft.
In addition to Bernhard's more than 20 children and grandchildren, a long list of foreign royalty attended the nationally televised funeral, including Belgium's King Albert, Denmark's Prince Henrik, Britain's Prince Philip, Spain's King Carlos and Queen Sofia, and the Aga Khan.
In the eulogy, minister Carel ter Linden praised Bernard for "everything he did for our country, which he became so bonded with".
A wreath of white flowers accompanying his coffin bore a tiny Panda bear, emblem of the World Wildlife Fund Bernhard helped found in 1961, becoming its first president.
Warplanes performed a "Missing Man" ceremonial flyover for Bernhard, himself a pilot, when the coffin arrived at the church. Three F-16s held level as a Spitfire shot straight upward, eventually disappearing into the overcast skies.
Pauline Boswijk, a 36-year-old Dutchwoman, said she was impressed by the military parade for Bernhard, whom she called "a symbol of a former generation who played an important role in the war effort".
Bernhard headed the Netherlands' armed forces for the government-in-exile in London and was present at the signing of the German capitulation in Wageningen in 1945.
His was the third royal funeral in two years. Beatrix buried her husband Prince Claus in October 2002, and her mother Juliana, Bernhard's wife, in March. All three were laid to rest in the royal crypt in Delft where the founder of the royal lineage, William of Orange, is entombed.
Bernhard is credited with establishing the Bilderberg group - a secretive annual forum for prominent politicians, thinkers and businessmen - which he chaired from 1954 to 1976.
But his image was later tarnished by bribery and adultery scandals.
Bernhard acknowledged having an illegitimate daughter and accepting more than a million dollars in bribes from US company Lockheed Aircraft Corp to persuade the Dutch government to purchase planes.
- AP