State Visit to Singapore: January 24-25

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On January 24, after leaving Brunei, Queen Beatrix along with the Crown Prince Couple arrived in Singapore for a two day State Visit.

The Dutch Royals were officially welcomed at the Istana Presidential Palace by President Tony Tan Keng Yam and his wife Mary Tan. The national anthems were played. Following the ceremony, the Queen had meetings with the President and the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

In the afternoon Queen Beatrix along with the Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima, attended a business meeting organized by the Dutch Embassy. Were present Dutch Ministers and businessmen and representatives of companies from Netherlands and Singapore. After the meeting the Dutch Royals went to visit the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the City Gallery. They were welcomed by the URA Chairman Mr Peter Ho who explained the development of the Singapore’s urban landscape, they also had a chance to view models of urban planning.

The first day of the State Visit ended with a State Banquet hosted by President Tan and his wife at the Istana Palace in honor of Queen Beatrix and the Crown Prince Couple. In his speech the President Tan talking about the Singapore-Netherlands relations said: “Singapore and the Netherlands share a special and longstanding friendship that goes back to the 19th century”