King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima Begin Province Visits

On Tuesday May 28th, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Mâxima started their visits to the Provinces by visiting Groningen and Drenthe.

The Royal Couple arrived in the Province of Groningen in the morning. They were welcomed by the Commissioner of the King, Mr. Max van de Berg, with a reception at the State House. Then the King and the Queen took a walk through Martinikerkhof and Market, two of the squares of Groningen where they were greeted by the people and the mayor of Groningen, Peter Rehwinkel.

In the Martinikerkhof, the Royal Couple attended various performances by the children of the youth circus of Santelli, and also a musical performance by students of the “Prince Claus Conservatoire”. During a visit to the town hall, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima signed the Golden Book of the city of Groningen and so they became honorary citizens.

Around 11am, the Royal Couple moved to Leek where at their arrival were welcomed by the mayor of the city Mr. BC Hoekstra. The King and the Queen, accompanied by the mayor in an open carriage, went to visit the Nienoord Museum. The Royal Couple along with the director of the Museum, Mrs. Gitta, looked at some antique royal carriages and sleighs from the Museum Collection.

In the early afternoon the King and the Queen arrived in Drenthe. They were greeted by the Commissioner of the King in the Province of Drenthe, Mr. Jacques Tichelaar. Then the Royal Couple met approximately 100 inhabitants of the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe.

The visit ended in Assen. The King and the Queen were welcomed by the Mayor of Assen, Mr. Klaas Sikko Heldoorn and their arrival in the city was accompanied by mini bikers. The Royal Couple also visited the Drenthe Museum and they had a meeting with the Provincial Executive and Vice Chairman of the Provincial Council.

Filed under The Netherlands
Tagged Dutch Inauguration 2013, King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.