Documentary accompanying the new book 'Bernhard: A Hidden History' by author Annejet van der Zijl. The book provides a historical reconstruction of Bernhard zur Lippe Biesterfeld's German childhood. For this, Van der Zijl spent five years researching the archives of, among others, Bernhard's German family and his secondary schools, and spoke with friends and acquaintances from his time in Germany. NOS reporter Arjan Nieuwenhuizen interviews Van der Zijl and returned to Wojnowo, now located in Poland but German territory at the time, and the place where Bernhard grew up on the Reckenwalde estate. Arjan Nieuwenhuizen unexpectedly stumbled upon unique private footage of Bernhard himself, filmed during his childhood and the first years with Princess Juliana. Excerpts from this can be seen in the documentary.
Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands
Arjan Nieuwenhuizen
Annejet van der Zijl
Armin zur Lippe
Queen Juliana of the Netherlands
Armgard von Cramm
Leopold IV, Prince of Lippe
Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany
Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands