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The story was related in the new biography of Dries van Agt, who served as prime minister from 1977 to 1982.
Mass pardons during major events were once common among European royalty, and Queen Juliana wanted to do that for all petty criminals when she abdicated to her daughter, Queen Beatrix.
When the Cabinet told Juliana such a pardon was impossible in the modern era, she had difficulty accepting it, and asked whether all prisoners could at least be served cake instead.
"An outstanding idea, your majesty," responded then-Vice Prime Minister Hans Wiegel. "And we'll write a message in whipped cream on each cake:
'and many more years.'"
The idea was scrapped.
Queen Juliana died in 2004.
[Associated
Press]
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