Overview
- Queen Máxima officially inaugurated WorldPride on July 25 at Vondelpark in Amsterdam, interrupting her holiday to lead the opening ceremony.
- In her speech she defended the right to live authentically, asking, “Poder ser uno mismo, amar a quien quieras. ¿No es eso lo normal?” and urging mutual support among attendees.
- WorldPride runs from July 25 to August 8 with a program that includes the Pride Walk, an international Canal Parade of boats, concerts, cultural events, and a human‑rights conference.
- City and event organizers expect very large crowds—estimates from the Amsterdam municipality approach one million attendees—and authorities have warned about recent vandalism of pride symbols, prompting heightened security measures.
- The royal house posted images of the opening with the message “Ámsterdam se tiñe con todos los colores del arcoíris,” a visible institutional endorsement that coincides with the Netherlands’ 25th anniversary of legal same‑sex marriage and could amplify global attention on LGBTQ+ rights.