Queen Wihelmina opened the Jamboree and before her were assembled 27,000 Scouts from 51 countries – including 8,000 from the British Empire.
Lord Robert Baden-Powell was 81 when he attended this Jamboree and in his message to Scouts of the World he said:
“I… am nearing the end of my life. Most of you are at the beginning, and I want your lives to be happy and successful. You can make them so by doing your best to carry out the Scout Law all your days, whatever your station and wherever you are…Now goodbye. God bless you all! God bless you all!”
It was as though he knew that he would not be able to attend another Jamboree and was giving his greetings to the Scouts of many nations.