The official opening went well on Saturday, July 4. The biggest surprise was the arrival of Katherine, René Lalique’s granddaughter, who presided over the opening ceremony. That was the moment she activated the handmade Lalique fountain. Many guests listened to speeches by, among others, the King’s Commissioner, Mr. Wigboldus; Mr. Roland, Count of Limburg-Stirum, on behalf of the RDO; and the deputy mayor and alderman for culture in Doesburg, Mr. Nick Derks. 

 In the photo, you can see Katharine (second from the left) with her children and chairman Santino Melssen. Curator Benjamin Janssen and she have formed a lifelong friendship with René Lalique’s granddaughter. 
Alto-soprano Quirine Melssen sang beautiful pieces accompanied by her band, while dancers performed in the Great Church.
Afterward, guests admired the new Lalique Museum and the exhibition MAGNIFICENT JEWELS! in the new, highly secure jewelry room. New features at the museum include the wheelchair ramp, the auditorium, the Lalique fountain, the passenger elevator in the Commanderij, the new entrance building, and the glass corridor.  The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.