Story Highlights
- Historical event
- 29 June 1911
- One of the most interesting people of the 20th century, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, in addition to being involved in the founding of the Bilderberg Group, was the inspiration for the character of secret agent James Bond, and was also a member of Hitler's Nazi party.
On this day one of the most interesting people in the 20th century was born, who served as the inspiration for the character of James Bond and who was behind the founding of one of the world’s largest associations – the Bilderberg Group.
He was born in Germany with the title Count of Biesterfeld and his name was Bernhard. He was later elevated to Prince of Lippe –Biesterfeld.
As prince, his life’s prize was his marriage with the princess who will inherit the Dutch throne. It was Juliana of the Netherlands , whom he married in 1937.
This marriage got him the title of His Royal Highness Bernhard, Prince of the Netherlands. Although his wife became Queen, he did not receive the title of king, because that was not practiced since the Middle Ages (like the husband of Queen Elizabeth II is not the king, but the Duke of Edinburgh).
Prince Bernhard reportedly served Ian Fleming as the inspiration for the character of James Bond. For example, the famous vodka martini “shaken, not stirred” that Bond regularly drinks, was actually Bernhard’s favorite drink.
As the Dutch prince, Bernhard was important in the organization of the first meeting of the Bilderberg Group at the Hotel de Bilderberg in the Netherlands.
In doing so, he used his connections to gather as many world powers at the meeting. There is a controversial story about Prince Bernhard’s membership in Hitler’s Nazi party.
He joined it during his studies, back in 1934, but later renounced Hitler and sided with the Allies, becoming the member of the British intelligence agency, the pilot of the British Spitfire fighter, and eventually even the commander of the Dutch army that opposed the Germans.
