“It soon became clear that it could not wait much longer,” the couple’s daughter told The Gelderlander [translated].

“The geriatrician determined that our mother was still mentally competent. However, if our father were to die, she could become completely disoriented, ending up in a nursing home.

“Something which she desperately did not want. Dying together was their deepest wish.”

Another daughter added: “They gave each other a big kiss and passed away confidently holding hands. According to their own wish.”

The Netherlands became the first country to legalise euthanasia in 2002, however it is rare for a couple to be euthanised together.

Dick Bosscher of the Dutch Association of Voluntarily Life Ending said: “It’s factually a coincidence when both people meet the demands for euthanasia at the same time.