On Thursday, April 7, 2022, Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands visited the Duin en Bollenstreek region in the province of South Holland. The region consists of five municipalities: Lisse, Teylingen, Hillegom, Katwijk, and Noordwijk which is world-famous for its flowers, specifically, Tulip bulb cultivation.
According to RVD, the day began with a visit to Lisse where Their Majesties were warmly greeted by the King’s Commissioner of South Holland, Mr. Jaap Smit, at the FC Lisse Football Club:
“No fewer than seven clubs from the region play at the highest level of amateur football, nowhere else in the Netherlands is that number so high. Residents of the various municipalities are proud of this and the clubs symbolize their own communities within the region. The presidents of various football clubs talk about the clubs’ sense of identity.”
Thereafter, Their Majesties arrived in the municipality of Teylingen where they visited a company that does something with Tulip bulb cultivation. Soon, the super awesome royal couple made a mad dash to the municipality of Hillegom. Whilst there, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima visited the company, Tulip Barn. According to RVD, the company, “…cleverly unites the bulb fields with tourism. For example, a special tulip field has been created, with a walking path and photogenic objects. Tourists can go here to take pictures, which prevents the regular tulip fields from being overburdened.”
The day ended with a visit to the beautiful coastal town of Katwijk. During their visit, Their Majesties “…spoke briefly with the chairmen of the four Orange Societies from the coastal town. Afterward, they visit a beach house and a discussion about tourism takes place in a beach pavilion with representatives of the sector from all over the region.”