Two Heiloo councillors receive royal honours for years of public service
Two long-serving councillors in Heiloo have been awarded royal honours for their dedication to local governance. Hessel Hiemstra and Fons Hopman received the distinction during their final council meeting, marking the end of their contributions to the community.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recipients | Hessel Hiemstra (CDA), Fons Hopman (D66) |
| Honour Awarded | Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| Service Duration | Hiemstra: 2007–2026, Hopman: 2014–2026 |
| Ceremony Date | 31 March 2026 |
| Location | Heiloo Town Hall |
| Presented By | Mayor Mascha ten Bruggencate |
| New Council Sworn In | 1 April 2026 |
The Municipality of Heiloo, like other Dutch municipalities, is responsible for local governance, including awarding royal honours to individuals who have made significant contributions to public service. These honours are part of the Netherlands' tradition of recognizing civic dedication.
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Royal honours awarded to two councillors
Mayor Mascha ten Bruggencate presented a royal honour to Hessel Hiemstra and Fons Hopman during the farewell ceremony for the outgoing municipal council on 31 March 2026. Both have been appointed as Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Recognition
Mr Hiemstra served on the municipal council for the CDA from 1 October 2007 until tonight. Mr Hopman was a councillor for D66 from 27 March 2014 to the present day. Mayor Mascha ten Bruggencate stated: “This decoration is a token of appreciation and gratitude for everything they have done for our municipality.”
Final meeting
The presentation of the royal honour took place during the final meeting of the current municipal council in the council chamber at Heiloo Town Hall. The new municipal council will be sworn in on Wednesday evening, 1 April 2026.