The Dutch royals will celebrate Kings Day in Rotterdam next year, in an event which will also mark 10 years since Willem-Alexander took over from his mother, Beatrix.

The city council has welcomed the decision to celebrate the event in the port city and is urging everyone, whether a Rotterdammer or fan of the city or the royal family, to come up with ‘raw and creative’ ideas for making the most of the big day.

‘The relationship with the royal family has always been strong and Rotterdam has always been able to count on the warm interest of our monarchs, for better and for worse,’ mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said in the launch video.

Queen Wilhelmina, the great-grandmother of current king Willem-Alexander, gave the city a statue, entitled ‘strength through struggle’ at the end of World War II because she was so impressed by the fortitude Rotterdammers had shown in rebuilding their city, the mayor said.

Kings Day takes place on April 27.

Willem-Alexander took over from his mother after she abdicated on April 30, 2013 after 33 years on the throne.