STATEVISIT SWEDEN TO THE NETHERLANDS

April 21st-23rd, 2009

Updated: April 28th, 2009

From 21 to 23 April King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden paid a state visit to the Netherlands. The last time they paid a state visit to the Netherlands was in 1976, when Queen Juliana was still reigning. Back then it was Queen Silvia's very first state visit. Theme of the 2009 state visit was the confirmation and continuance of the good relationship between the Netherlands and Sweden.

Links to videos
  • Interview with the Swedish royal couple, April 16th, 2009
  • NOS summary of the state visit
  • Blauw Bloed report on the state visit



    • Tuesday 21 April 2009
    The Swedish royal couple was welcomed at Rotterdam Airport by Queen Beatrix, who also took part in the welcoming ceremony at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. In the evening Queen Beatrix, Prince Willem-Alexander, Princess Máxima and Pieter van Vollenhoven were present at the state banquet.

  • Arrival at Rotterdam Airport
  • Welcoming ceremony at Noordeinde Palace, The Hague
  • Laying of a wreath, National Monument, Dam Square, Amsterdam
  • Seminary "Work for All; Challenges and Solutions in Times of Economic Crises", De Bazel, Amsterdam (only King Carl XVI Gustaf)
  • Opening exhibition about Swedish children's books illustrations, Openbare Bibliotheek, Amsterdam (only Queen Silvia)
  • Visit to the Stichting Herstelling, Fort Kudelstaart
  • State banquet at Noordeinde Palace, The Hague


    • Links to pictures
  • Rotterdam Airport
  • Dam, Amsterdam
  • Kudelstaart
  • State Banquet
  • First day
  • First Day



    • Wednesday 22 April 2009
    Several members of the Dutch royal family accompanied the Swedish King and Queen during the day. Princess Maxima accompanied Queen Silvia to the Keukenhof. Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima accompanied the Swedish royal couple to the University of Leiden. At the government lunch and the contra performance Queen Beatrix, Prince Willem-Alexander, Princess Máxima, Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven were present.

  • Meeting with members of the swedish trade delegation, Noordeinde Palace, The Hague (only King Carl XVI Gustaf)
  • Visit to the Keukenhof, Lisse (only Queen Silvia)
  • Meeting with presidents of the international courts in The Hague (only King Carl XVI Gustaf)
  • Roundtable conversation "Competitive advantage through environmental technologies, HQ, Royal Dutch Shell, The Hague (only King Carl XVI Gustaf
  • Visit to the Mauritshuis, The Hague (only Queen Silvia)
  • Meeting with the chairmen of the First and Second Chamber, Senate, The Hague (only King Carl XVI Gustaf)
  • Meeting with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende (only King Carl XVI Gustaf)
  • Government lunch, Trêveszaal, The Hague
  • Seminary "Durable Cities", University of Leiden (only King Carl XVI Gustaf)
  • Discussion about the rights of the child, University of Leiden (only Queen Silvia)
  • Meeting with the Swedish community, Swedish Embassy, The Hague
  • Contra performance, Sociëteit De Witte, The Hague


    • Links to pictures
  • Keukenhof
  • Keukenhof and Mauritshuis
  • Mauritshuis and Government lunch
  • Leiden
  • Leiden
  • Contra performance
  • Contra performance



    • Thursday 23 April 2009
    During the visit to Groningen Queen Beatrix accompanied her Swedish guests.

  • Visit to Groningen Seaports, Delfzijl
  • Visit to BIO MCN, Delfzijl
  • Lunch, Provincehouse, Groningen
  • Walk from the Provincehouse to the University of Groningen
  • Visit to the University of Groningen: themes were healthy ageing and evolutionary biology, as well as arctic studies
  • Meeting with students Scandinavian Studies, University of Groningen
  • Farewell ceremony, Groningen Airport, Eelde


    • Links to pictures
  • Delfzijl and Groningen



    • As I live in Groningen, I followed the visit to Delfzijl and Groningen closely. It was a good chance to see King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Queen Beatrix again.

    Visit to Groningen Seaports, Delfzijl:
    At Groningen Seaports the visiting royals were informed about the durable development of the harbour of Delfzijl and the economic importance of Scandinavia for this area of the Netherlands. Outside they were welcomed by two female singers, who sang a Swedish song for the guests.




    Visit to BIO MCN, Delfzijl:
    Many people working at BIO MCN were standing outside the building, many with camera, not to miss anything of the royal visit to this new company. Inside the royals attended a presentation about the production and application of bio-methanol, which is a fuel much better for the environment. Especially the Swedish king is very interested in environmental issues.





    Walk in the centre, Groningen:
    After a lunch at the Provincehouse in Groningen the royals shortly walked through the centre of Groningen through a huge enthusiastic crowd.


    Arrival at the University, Groningen:
    Upon arrival at the University of Groningen the royals were greeted by many people, among them lots of students. Welcoming music was heard playing a medley of Dancing Queen (ABBA), the Swedish and the Groningen anthem.




    Farewell, Groningen Airport:
    Around 5pm, much later than planned, the Swedish royals said farewell to Queen Beatrix. After an official ceremony with music, inspection of the guard, and saying goodbye to the official party accompanying the visit, the Swedish royals left in the Swedish government plane. Queen Beatrix soon also went home in the Dutch government plane.








    Photos and copyright: Netty Leistra