AMSTERDAM.- After an eight-year absence, the Royal Barge is once again on display at Het Scheepvaartmuseum. At a spectacular opening event on Wednesday evening, framed by the pipers and drummers of the Marine Corps, the Royal Barge was presented to more than 300 guests. Just one week before this event, the 200-year old barge and its new boathouse were transported across land and water. In the home port of Amsterdam, the doors will be opened to visitors every morning.

The director-general of Het Scheepvaartmuseum, Pauline Krikke, is overjoyed at the return of the crown jewel of the museum’s collection. ‘It is a momentous occasion to celebrate the return of the barge after such a long absence,’ she says. ‘The Royal Barge is restored and seaworthy. The museum is incredibly grateful to all the people who helped to make this possible.’

The Royal Barge, also referred to as the ‘Golden Coach of the water,’ was given a thorough overhaul. With a donation of one million euros from the BankGiro Lottery, the Cultuur Lottery, and specialist input from AkzoNobel, this unique barge was completely renovated and restored to once again be admired in all its magnificence. Now, this public favourite has finally returned to Het Scheepvaartmuseum. With the new set-up in the boathouse, the beautiful golden ornaments are closer than ever before and can be admired in detail by the visitors.

The Royal Barge is a rowing barge that was built at the Navy shipyard in Rotterdam in 1816 for King William I. Since then, the Royal Barge has been used by the head of state for official events such as state visits, jubilees, naval reviews, and the launching of new ships. The barge marked its final voyage in 1962 with the silver wedding anniversary of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, and was then retired from service.