Queen welcomes 200 at first ever Naturalization Day

THE HAGUE - Just over 200 new Dutch citizens officially were welcomed as such by Queen Beatrix and Integration Minister Verdonk. The ceremony took place in The Hague, one of the municipalities hosting the first-ever Naturalization Day. In the future, the event could have the scope of Canada Day or the U.S. Independence Day. From next year on, naturalized citizens will have to attend such annual ceremonies, where they will receive the papers necessary to apply for a Dutch passport. One of the requirements for naturalization is that people are able to sing the Dutch national anthem, in which all participated at the The Hague ceremony.