Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands visited the St. Joseph School in Alkmaar on January 17, 2012 to visit students who are apart to the program known as, Class!.  This program, Class, is “…an initiative of the local music and arts center, Cool Art and Culture and it is part of the program Kids Making Music from the Orange Cultural Fund and the Fund.”  As patron of  “Kids Make Music”, a project launched last year, encourages students to play music.  Today, the project offers thousands of students free music lessons from volunteer teachers.

To watch a video as well as to view photos please click here. 

Source: RTVNH

On the final day of their state visit to Oman, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. Unfortunately, it seems that the Freedom Party (PVV) in the Netherlands are not exactly happy campers when they saw the images of Her Majesty in a headscarf (they became all pissy about it when she wore one the first time in Abu Dhabi).  Click here to read more about the “row” from BBC News.

Any way…

After touring the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque the royal trio visited various Dutch expats living in Oman.  Soon, it was time to leave the gulf nation. Her Majesty along with her Dutch business delegation were “…seen off at the Royal Airport by Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah al Khalili, Minister of Tourism and His Highness Sayyid Mohammed bin Harib al Said.” 

To view photos from the royal family’s last day in Oman please click the links below:

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Sources: NOS, Oman Observer and Oman Tribune

On January 11, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands continued their three-day state visit to Oman.

The royal trio began their day with a visit to the port of Sohar where they were greeted by Shaikh Saad bin Mohammed a Saadi, Commerce and Industry Minister and Chairman of Sohar Industrial Port Company.  Soon, the royal trio along with their delegation toured the Sohar Industrial Project Company.  From there, they visited the Sohar Free Zone and then the Groasis Waterboxx facility, which is a “…joint project with Port of Sohar and the Netherlands…”  Afterward, the royal trio visited the Maritime College.  After meeting with the students Her Majesty along with the Prince and Princess left by helicopter to the famous Nakhal Fort.

Later in the evening the royal trio along with His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said will attend a concert held at the Al Alam Palace.

To watch a video as well as to view photos please click the links below:

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Sources: NOS, De Telegraaf, Oman Observer, and Times of Oman

On January 10, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands began their three-day state visit to Oman.

Upon their arrival the royal trio were greeted by Sultan Qaboos Bin Said as well as Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al-Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed al-Nu’amani, Royal Office Minister at the Muscat Museum Gate.  From their the Sultan guided Her Majesty to Al Alam Palace Guest House Square, while “…a group of horsemen escorted the motorcade from Muscat Gate up to the Al Alam Palace Gate where the National Anthem of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was played while the artillery fired a 21 gun salute for the Queen.”

Once inside the Al Alam Palace Her Majesty and the Sultan as well as the prince and princess along with the Dutch delegation sat down for a meeting whereupon they discussed “…good relations binding the Sultanate and the Kingdom of the Netherlands…”  Discussions also included the role of women in Oman as well as deepening trade relations with the Netherlands.

Afterward, the royal trio had a chance to visit the Beit Al Zubair museum in Muscat.  In the evening there was a gala dinner at the palace.  Prior to the lavish gala, Sultan Qaboos  conferred the “Renaissance Grand Order” on His Royal Highness Prince William Alexander and the Sultan Qaboos Order “First Class” to Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima. In return, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix also, “conferred orders to the Sultan as well as to various ministers and officials in the Sultanate.”

To watch videos as well as to view photos please click the links below:

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Sources OMA News, Oman Observer, NOS and Gulf News 

Photo courtesy of Gulf News

On January 9, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands along with T.R.H.s Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands continued their two-day state visit to the United Arab Emirates.

The day began with a visit to Masdar City a “…multifaceted renewable energy company…” in Abu Dhabi.  The purpose of their visit was to attend an economic roundtable meeting to discuss “…possible strategic co-operations in a bid to promote and facilitate mutually beneficial economic relationships…” between the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.

After the meeting and presentation the royal trio and their delegation travelled to Dubai where Her Majesty met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai at Zaabeel Palace.

Also in attendance were Her Majesty’s Dutch business delegation, T.R.H.s Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as well as Dubai’s Deputy Ruler Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

During the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed “… stressed the importance of the royal visit, which paves the way for opening new horizons for cultural, economic and political cooperation.”  Her Majesty agreed.  She also noted her admiration for what the U.A.E. has accomplished in the past 40 years as well as for their leadership.

Afterward, the royal trio took a boat tour around the harbor in Dubai, and as they were about to dock the yacht became stuck due to the low tide.  After twenty minutes all was well.

Tomorrow, the royal trio will visit Oman.

To watch a video as well as to view photos please click the links below:

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Sources: Khaleej Times, Emirates 247, Associated Press

Photo courtesy of Emirates 247

On January 8, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands along with T.R.H.s Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands began their state visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In the morning, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix along with the prince and princess were officially welcomed to the U.A.E. by His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Mushrif Palace. Also, in attendance were Dutch Foreign Minister, Uriel Rosenthal, as well as local and Dutch dignitaries.

During the welcoming meeting between Her Majesty and His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan gifts were exchanged.  The Queen presented His Highness with the most highest and prestigious honours in the Kingdom of Netherlands “…Grand Cross of the Dutch Lion…”    In return, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa presented Her Majesty with the “…Order of Zayed, one of the United Arab Emirates’ highest civil decorations accorded to kings and heads of state…” The Order was also given to T.R.H.s Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima.

Later, the royal trio visited the Sheikh Al Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.  During their visit they toured the library as well as resting place of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Afterward, the Queen, the prince and princess along with the Dutch business delegation accompanying the royal trio visited the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).  Upon their arrival they were met by the director of ADNOC, Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi and numerous CEO’s.  From there the royal trio were given a tour of the facility and more.

To watch several videos as well as to view photos from today’s event please click the link below:

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Sources: Associated Press, WAM, Khaleej Times

Photo courtesy of Daylife/R.Utrecht/AFP