Queen Máxima presents ‘Bell of Freedom’ to Prague church, forged from Ukraine war remnants

Dutch Queen Máxima unveiled the Bell of Freedom at Prague’s Church of the Most Holy Saviour on Thursday, in a symbolic gesture of peace. The bell, made from shell casings collected in war-torn Ukraine, was officially presented in the presence of Czech President Petr Pavel and First Lady Eva Pavlová.

During a brief but moving ceremony, Catholic priest Tomáš Halík blessed the bell and called for prayers for peace, justice, and an end to war. The bell was cast in the Netherlands at the Royal Eijsbouts foundry, based on an idea from the Dutch Embassy in Prague. It will remain in the church presbytery until its planned installation in the bell tower this autumn.

The visit came during an adjusted royal trip, as Dutch King Willem-Alexander was forced to cut short his stay in Czechia due to political developments at home, following the resignation announcement of the Dutch Prime Minister.