Destroying reality in The Netherlands

Princess Maxima and Crown Prince Willem Alexander witness the attack

The people of The Netherlands awoke Friday to the dreaded realization that a slice of their lives - a bit of normality that has been with them since they were born - was destroyed during yesterday's attack on Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima. The Dutch royal family has always been out in public on Queen's Day, accepting tokens of the citizens' thanks, shaking hands and being touched by little children throughout the national holiday, which falls on April 30. But the attack by a Dutch man who died early today, bringing the toll of death from his act of madness to six, will certainly force future celebrations to eliminate the unfettered access to the kingdom's sovereign. There will necessarily be more security, including measures to keep madmen from future attempts against the House of Orange.