Albert Geers appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau |25 June 2018
The former honorary consul of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Seychelles Albert Geers has been appointed as Knight in the order of Orange-Nassau for his invaluable and outstanding consular and diplomatic service for his country.
He received the prestigious award from the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Seychelles, Franciscus Makken, in a ceremony on Saturday at the Sunset Beach Hotel, Glacis.
Among those present at the ceremony to share the special moment with Mr Geers were Vice-President Vincent Meriton, Minister for Health Jean-Paul Adam, President of the Court of Appeal Francis Macgregor, leader of government business in the National Assembly Charles De Comarmond, member of the National Assembly for Glacis Regina Alcindor, members of the diplomatic corps, family members and friends.
Mr Geers has spent 33 years in the capacity of honorary consul, from September 11, 1984 to September 1, 2017.
The Order of Orange is a civil and military Dutch order of chivalry founded on April 4, 1892 by the Queen regent Emma, acting on behalf of her under-age daughter Queen Wilhelmina.
It is a chivalric order open to everyone who has earned special merits for society.
Introducing the newly appointed Knight, Ambassador Makken said due to the small size of the Dutch community in the country, Mr Geers had to perform his duties without the help of a strong community around him.
A duty which he always performed in his own particular style, Ambassador Makken noted.
“Correct, respectful, and fully conscious of the responsibilities and image that befit a honorary consul,” he added.
Going through some of Mr Geers’ major accomplishment as honorary consul, Ambassador Makken mentioned his presence at various events, notably the signings of international agreements, the provision of loans and aid funds, as well as fellowships granted to Seychelles.
He also commended Mr Geers for hosting members of the Dutch Royal Family such as Prince Albert Sr, Princess Margriet and her husband Mr Van Vollenhoven and their children.
Ambassador Makken also made a special mention for Mr Geers’ role as host of Dutch Naval Fleets visit to Port Victoria, all in line with the Dutch involvement in the anti-piracy operations.
This, he said, brought about many more Dutch visitors to Seychelles, since the Netherlands contributed to the court house where arrested pirates were tried, as well as management of the prison where they were incarcerated.
“Whenever necessary Albert facilitated these visits, he hosted the crews and really true to his honour as a honorary consul. He never sent any bill for this to the Hague,” added Ambassador Makken.
Addressing the guest, Mr Geers said he has been very honoured over the past 33 years he spent as honorary consul and he feels more honoured to have received the recognition.
He recalled when he first started in 1984, there were only three honorary consuls in the country.
Mr Geers said from the difficult infantile political years, the country has grown into a nation and everyone should be very proud.
He added that to achieve a better and higher standard we should all play our role in helping the community, even those who have a more official status, should always open their door to ordinary people and listen to their concerns.
The Order of Orange is a chivalric order open to everyone who has earned special merits for society. These are people who deserve appreciation and recognition from society for the special way in which they have carried out their activities. The lower grades of the order are comparable with the ranks of the Order of the British Empire in the United Kingdom, but titles, prefixes or post-nominals (other than academic ones) are not used in the Netherlands (the only exception being for members of the Military William Order).