Dutch Royals on State Visit to Oman, Day Two

On January 11, the second day of the state visit to Oman, Queen Beatrix with Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima were in Sohar to visit the Industrial Port, the Free Zone and the Omani International Maritime College.

At their arrival, they were welcomed by Sheikh Sa’ad bin Mohammed al-Mardhouf al-Sa’adi, Commerce and Industry Minister and Chairman of Sohar Industrial Port Company. The Queen was informed of how the Port is developing, its fututre and the Dutch contribution to the project.

At the Maritime College, the Dutch Royals were received by Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al-Bakri, Manpower Minister, Said bin Hamdoon al-Harthy, the Transport and Communications Ministry’s Undersecretary for Ports and Marine Affairs, and a number of officials from the College. The Queen made a tour of the College’s departments, visiting also the library where she met students for an interview.

The Dutch Royals were also welcomed with folkloric music and traditional dances.

In the afternoon the Queen, the Prince and the Princess arrived in Nakhal, to visit the fortress. They were received by the band of the Royal Guard of Oman and by children from the Omani Women Association (OWA). Queen Beatrix made a tour through the fortress. The Dutch Royals were accompanied by Sheikh Abdul Malik bin Abdullah al-Khalili, the Omani Tourism Minister.

After ending the visit at the fortress, the Dutch Royals returned to Muscat. In the evening the Queen, the Prince and the Princess attended a concert held by the Radio Chamber Philharmonic at the Al Alam Palace. At the concert were present Sultan Qaboos and a select group of guests.

Filed under Oman, The Netherlands
Tagged Concert, Culture, Industry, King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands, Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, State Visit, Sultan Qaboos of Oman.