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The Needle

The Needle is an obelisk-shaped monument on the Zwolseweg in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, near Het Loo Palace. Built of stone and surrounded by a low iron fence, it was conceived by Apeldoorn’s mayor, HPJ Tutein Nolthenius. The project was funded through a collection campaign organized with the residents of Apeldoorn. It was intended as a gift from the people of Apeldoorn to Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on the occasion of their marriage, and was formally dedicated to Queen Emma and the late King William III. Although the royal wedding took place on 7 February 1901, the monument was not yet finished and was inaugurated on 9 March 1901.

The Needle, a tall stone monument on a tiered base in a grassy clearing with bare trees behind it.
The Needle stands on a multi-tiered base in a grassy clearing, framed by bare trees.
March 1901 © Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
The Needle obelisk stands beside a paved road with a low fence around its base, with trees and a white building in the background.
The Needle monument in Apeldoorn, shown beside the road with trees and a building behind it.
July 2009 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Needle obelisk stands beside a railway line with a steam train approaching in a tree-lined setting.
The Needle beside the railway, with a steam train approaching through the trees.
January 1914 © Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
The lower section of The Needle monument in Apeldoorn, with directional signposts attached around its base.
The Needle monument in Apeldoorn, seen here with directional signposts around its base.
May 1945 © Willem van de Poll / Anefo · CC0
The Needle monument plaque with profile busts of King Willem III and Queen Emma beneath a crown.
Detail of The Needle showing the bronze plaque with portraits of King Willem III and Queen Emma.
July 2009 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleThe Needle
Original nameDe Naald
Meaning of original name"The Needle" in Dutch
TypeMonument, obelisk-shaped

Historical context

PurposeGift from the people of Apeldoorn to Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Hendrik, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, on the occasion of their marriage
DedicationDedicated to Queen Emma, Queen Regent, and King William III as the parents of Queen Wilhelmina
Marriage date7 February 1901
Completion at marriageNot finished when Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Hendrik married

Creator

InitiatorH.P.J. Tutein Nolthenius, mayor of Apeldoorn

Discovery and provenance

FundingFinanced by a fundraising campaign among the residents of Apeldoorn; raised 3,518 Dutch guilders and 37.5 cents
Site selectionPlaced at a location chosen by Queen Wilhelmina, on the border between the royal estate and the municipality of Apeldoorn

Physical characteristics

Height17 m

Materials

MaterialStone
Decorative plaques materialBronze

Appearance

Decorative elementsPortraits of William III and Emma in profile on two plaques
Inscription plaqueA plaque is attached to the monument with the text: "Founded by the Residents of the Municipality of Apeldoorn as a grateful tribute to the serene parents of Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina."

Location and ownership

LocationZwolseweg, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, near Het Loo Palace
SurroundingsSurrounded by a low iron fence

History and restoration

Unveiling date9 March 1901
Dedication delayDedicated just over one month after the marriage because the monument was not yet ready on 7 February 1901
Damage eventOn 30 April 2009, during Queen's Day celebrations, a car driven into a crowd in Apeldoorn also hit the monument at high speed
Damage causedThe fence and some of the low stone bollards around the monument were heavily damaged

Other

Associated personsQueen Wilhelmina; Prince Hendrik, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Queen Emma; King William III