Dutch royals and PM Jetten to honor Zelensky and global freedom fighters at Four Freedoms Awards 2026
King Willem-Alexander, Princess Beatrix, and Prime Minister Jetten will attend the Four Freedoms Awards on April 16 in Middelburg, honoring President Zelensky and global advocates for freedom, press rights, and equality. The ceremony highlights the Netherlands' commitment to defending democratic values worldwide.
| Category | Recipient | Presented By | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Four Freedoms | President Zelensky & Ukrainian people | PM Jetten | Courage in defending freedom and democracy |
| Freedom of Speech | Committee to Protect Journalists | Pjotr Sauer | Press freedom and journalist safety |
| Freedom of Worship | Undisclosed (security reasons) | Dagmar Oudshoorn | Religious freedom |
| Freedom from Want | Isidora Uribe Silva (Chile) | Lucille Werner | Inclusion, disability rights, gender equality |
| Freedom from Fear | Gisèle Pelicot (France) | Olcay Gulsen | Victim advocacy and abuse prevention |
| Location | Nieuwe Kerk, Middelburg | ||
| Date | April 16, 2026 |
The Dutch monarchy and government play a symbolic and diplomatic role in promoting international human rights and democratic values. The Four Freedoms Awards, inspired by Roosevelt’s 1941 speech, reflect the Netherlands' long-standing commitment to global freedom and justice.
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King Willem-Alexander, Princess Beatrix and Prime Minister Jetten at the Four Freedoms Awards 2026
His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands will attend the Four Freedoms Awards ceremony at the Nieuwe Kerk in Middelburg on Thursday, April 16. Prime Minister Jetten will deliver a speech in honor of the International Four Freedoms Award, which this year will be presented to President Zelensky of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, “in recognition of their courageous struggle for our freedom and democracy under exceptionally difficult circumstances.”
The Four Freedoms Awards are presented annually to individuals and organizations committed to safeguarding freedom and defending human rights, in line with the ideals proclaimed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his historic Four Freedoms speech of 1941. The Four Freedoms Awards 2026 will go to the following individuals and organizations:
- The Freedom of Speech award will be presented to the Committee to Protect Journalists. For 40 years, this organization has championed press freedom worldwide and defends the right of journalists to work safely. The award will be presented by Pjotr Sauer.
- The recipient of the Freedom of Worship award cannot be announced for security reasons. During the ceremony, Dagmar Oudshoorn of Amnesty International Netherlands will speak about the importance of religious freedom worldwide.
- The Freedom from Want award will go to Isidora Uribe Silva from Chile. Since the age of thirteen, she has advocated for inclusion, equal human rights for people with disabilities, and gender equality. The award will be presented by Lucille Werner.
- The Freedom from Fear award will be presented to Gisèle Pelicot from France. Pelicot encourages victims of abuse to share their stories and place responsibility and shame on the perpetrators rather than the victims. The award will be presented by Olcay Gulsen.