Dutch State Visit to Canada, Day 1

Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima started today, Wednesday May 27, a three-day State Visit to Canada.

The Royal Couple arrived in Canada yesterday May 26, when they made a brief stop in St. John’s, the capital of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. They were welcomed by the the Liutenant Governon Frank Fagan and his wife Patricia Faga, and the premier Paul Davis with his wife Cheryl Davis.

The first day of the visit started in Ottawa. After their arrival, the King and Queen were officially welcomed by the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, at Rideau Hall, his residence. After the inspection of the guard of honor there was a meeting with the Governon and his wife Sharon Johnston. Then the Royal Couple planted a tree in the garden of the Rideau Hall.

Afterwards the King and the Queen went to the Parliament building were they meet the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper. Along with the House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer and the Speaker of the Senate, Leo Housakos, the King and the Queen made a tour in the library of Parliament and Senate. Then there was a lunch in the Parliament Hiil. In his speech King Willem-Alexander thanked for the warm welcome, stressed the strong bond between The Netherlands and Canada and he also said that the visit celebrates the close friendship of both countries.

The first event of the afternoon was at the National War Memorial, where the King and Queen laid a wreath in memory of the Canadian soldiers who fell during the World War II. Then the Royal Couple met a group veterans who liberated The Netherlands 70 years ago.

Then took place a roundtable meeting with Canadian and Dutch business and an audience with the Prime Minister, Stephen Harper and his wife Laureeen Harper.

The first day of the State Visit ended with a State Banquet held at Rideau Hall.

The Dutch King and Queen pose for a photograph with the Governor-General of Canada, David Johnston, and his wife Sharon prior to a state banquet at the Rideau Hall, May 27.

Filed under The Netherlands
Tagged Bilateral Relations, Canada, Governor-General Johnston of Canada, King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands, Prime Minister Harper of Canada, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, State Visit.