This is the moment an Amsterdam celebration took a turn when a boat carrying revelers slowly sank underwater as they celebrated King’s Day.
As the overcrowded boat buckled under the weight, some orange-clad patriots made a leap to the banks of the Herengracht, but most were forced to take an unexpected dip as the laughing crowd looked on.
King’s Day is a Dutch national holiday celebrating King Willem-Alexander on his birthday, April 27.
Shortly before 2 p.m., the festivities were in full swing and many citizens opted to head to the river for the big event.
The viral clip, which was viewed more than 20 million times in the following two days, captures the moment passengers from more seaworthy vessels watched their compatriots resign themselves to a sodden celebration.
This is the moment an Amsterdam party went south when a boat carrying revelers slowly sank underwater as they celebrated King’s Day at the weekend
As onlookers shouted ‘no’, the would-be divers met their fate, although a few insolent passengers jumped to dry land, leaving their friends behind, before finally raising an arm
When it became clear that the sunken passengers were all safe and leaving the canal, laughter erupted from the surrounding fleet, as well as from those watching from stable ground.
The boat eventually returned to the surface after everyone had been evacuated
The clip starts with tension, as it is unclear whether the dinghy will actually float.
But cruelly, when the boat turned towards the adjacent road and the passengers went to the near side, they unbalanced the ship so much that it began to fill with water, dooming them to the not so deep blue.
As onlookers shouted ‘no’, the would-be divers met their fate, although a few insolent passengers jumped to dry land, leaving their friends behind, before finally raising their arms.
When it becomes clear that the sunken passengers are all safe and leaving the canal, fits of laughter erupt from the surrounding fleet, as well as from those watching from stable ground.
With Amsterdam’s 165 canals comprising 75km of waterways, it’s no surprise that many choose to head here for the biggest party of the year.
King’s Day, also called King’s Day or Queen’s Day by the natives depending on whether the monarch is a man or a woman, has been celebrating the royal family of the Netherlands for almost 150 years.
First celebrated as Princess Day on August 31, 1885, the holiday was given its current name for Princess Wilhelmina when she ascended the throne five years later.
The date shifted to April 30 when her daughter Juliana became queen in 1948, and remained on that date when Queen Beatrix took over when her birthday fell in the middle of winter.
King’s Day is a Dutch national holiday celebrating King Willem-Alexander (center) on his birthday – April 27. He is pictured with (L-R) Princess Amalia, Queen Maxima, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane
Many Amsterdam residents go to the 75 km long canals to celebrate this day
Partying nationals also mark the occasion by dressing up in their national color – orange – as they soak up the atmosphere with a day of street music and dancing
Beatrix abdicated in 2009, making Willem-Alexander king. Since then he has celebrated King’s Day on his birthday, which has been postponed by only three days.
In addition to the fact that many boat parties take place, the celebration has become known for the national ‘free market’ for used items.
Partying locals also mark the occasion by dressing up in their national color – orange – as they soak up the atmosphere with a day of street music and dancing.
The king goes to one lucky city every year and before 2024 he went to Emmen, meaning he and his family missed the excitement of Amsterdam’s canals this time.