Royal decoration for outgoing Governor Sint Maarten

Outgoing Governor Eugene Holiday of Sint Maarten has been appointed today as Commander in the Order of Orange Nassau. During a farewell reception in the Grote Kerk in The Hague, he received the royal decoration from State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen of Kingdom Relations.

During the reception, State Secretary Van Huffelen reflected on the many merits of Governor Holiday for Sint Maarten. She mentioned that the maximum term of 2 times 6 years is over and looked back on the role he played in the past period. “For example, you were the stable factor that guided Sint Maarten through various political crises. I can imagine that it was not always easy to assist eleven different cabinets. But even in these turbulent times, you made sure that things that couldn’t wait kept going.”

Particular attention was paid to the role that Governor Holiday played during successive crises such as Irma and the Covid pandemic. In addition, the State Secretary expressed her appreciation for his careful way of working, his honest way of acting, his accessibility for every resident of Sint Maarten and his commitment to young people and good education.

“You have fulfilled your two terms in a great way,” concluded the State Secretary and surprised the Governor with an appointment as Commander in the Order of Orange Nassau. An award that is not often granted. The decorated person must have performed very special or important activities. In his role as Governor, Eugene Holiday represented the King. In that capacity he was also the head of the government of Sint Maarten. In this function, the Governor is inviolable and the ministers are responsible. As a kingdom body, the Governor represents the interests of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

On 10 October, Ajamu Baly succeeds Eugene Holiday as Governor.