THE Netherlands has lost its mother," was the somber statement of Dutch Prime Minister Peter Balkenende. Pneumonia combined with a general detoriation of her health caused Princess Juliana's death.

Juliana reigned as Queen of the Netherlands from 1948 until 1980. She ascended the throne in 1948, when Dutch post-WWII politics were dominated by colonial affairs. The looming Indonesian independence became her first political test case.