Royal

Yesterday, I had the honor of portraying Princess Beatrix. I felt almost embarrassed to mingle among the throng of press photographers jostling for position, eager to capture their images. Princess Beatrix, with a gentle word, asked them to pause, wishing for a moment’s peace to savor a slice of traditional Frisian pastry. I was in no hurry. My aim was to create a portrait steeped in atmosphere, within the beautiful old mill. A portrait she will probably never see, yet for me it radiates a painterly tranquility, suspended amid the formalities and the relentless press of media moments.

On National Mill Day, Princess Beatrix visits ‘De Onderneming’ mill in Witmarsum, marking the 50th anniversary of the Gild Fryske Mounders. The millers of the Guild keep Friesland’s 150 windmills turning and train aspiring Frisian millers. ‘De Onderneming’ is one of their teaching mills. Within its walls, the artisanal bakery of @mevrouwdemolenaar fills the air with the scent of bread and pastries.

Princess Beatrix is given a tour of the mill, and receives the first copy of ‘The Great Frisian Mill Book, Volume 2’. Afterwards, she converses with the book’s authors, and listens as a master miller and his students share tales of their craft. Princess Beatrix is patroness of the Association De Hollandsche Molen.

© Mirjam Letsch | all rights reserved | 2025