Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands placed her daughter’s education in both academics and culture in the highest esteem – not only was Juliana brought up surrounded by private tutors, but made aware in no uncertain terms her regal positions. Juliana would sit in a high chair while the other children played under her feet. But Juliana proved as headstrong as her mother, finding a husband for herself (breaking with the tradition of arranged marriages), and greeting foreign dignitaries by sitting on the floor. Princess Juliana kept her common touch with the people throughout her reign, even after she became Queen.

On this day, September 6, in 1948, after a WW II exile in Canada and the independence of Indonesia, Juliana was inaugurated as queen and replaced her mother in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.

While the Dutch court never lost its taste for pageantry, with ceremonies involving immaculate uniforms, decorative carriages and lavish state dinners, Queen Juliana went among the public to talk directly to the people. She enjoyed making unannounced visits to different provinces and schools, as well as promoting the country’s bicycle culture by unceremoniously riding one herself. And when major storms flooded parts of the Netherlands, Queen Juliana had no qualms about literally rolling up her sleeves and slogging through the mad to bring food and water to the stranded citizens.