On the morning of Wednesday, April 20, 2022, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands received credentials from the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Adnan Mohd Ja’afar, the Ambassador from the Republic of Benin, His Excellency Eusèbe Agbangla, and the Ambassador from the Federal Republic of Somalia, His Excellency Yonis Yassin Hashi.
The presentation of the credentials was held at Paleis Noordeinde in Den Haag, Netherlands.
On the afternoon of Friday, March 25,2022, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands visited the Reclassering Nederland (Dutch Probation Service) in Amsterdam.
According to RVD, the Dutch Probation Service is:
“…committed to preventing and reducing criminal behaviour. The work revolves around behavioral change of suspects and convicts. To this end, the probation service provides advice to judges, the Public Prosecution Service and the prison system and prepares risk analyses. In addition, probation officers supervise, provide behavioral training and assist probation officers in the execution of community service. Every year, the Dutch Probation Service takes care of about 75,000 people, more than half of them are younger than 35 years. The organization works together with the police, the Public Prosecution Service, courts, municipalities and prisons, but also with partners in the social domain.”
During his visit, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander met with the employees of the Dutch Probation Service and a number of partner organizations.
Please click here to view a photo gallery.
On Thursday, March 24, 2022, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands attended the start of the National Commemoration Year 1572 held at the Sint-Catharijnekerk in Brielle.
According to RVD, the celebrations will focus on, “…four values that have been at stake since the Eighty Years’ War: Freedom, Tolerance, Solidarity and Diversity, with attention to their current context.” On April 1, 1572, the Watergeuzen captured the port of Den Briel. In an article from Arts and Culture the take over of Den Briel marked a:
“…turning point in the uprising of the Low Countries against Spain in the Eighty Years’ War. Militarily the success was minor as the port of Brielle was undefended, but it provided the first foothold on land for the rebels at a time when the rebellion was all but crushed, and it offered the sign for a new revolt throughout the Netherlands which led to the formation of the Dutch Republic.”
During yesterday’s event, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander unveiled the memorial stone, Brielle 450 years Firstling of Freedom. The king also received the “…first copy of ‘Willem van Oranje in Letters: The Revolt in 1572’, presented by the chairman of the 1572-Municipalities Partnership.”
Please click here to watch a video news report.
Please click here and here to view photos.
On Friday, March 18, 2022, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands officially opened the newly restored Ceres Mill in Bovenkarspel. The mill was destroyed by a fire on New Year’s Eve 2019-2020.
The Ceres Mill was built in 1849 as a flour and peeling mill. Flour is still milled for bakers and private individuals at the mill.
Please click the link below to view photos from today’s opening:
On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 16, 2022, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands visited Ukrainian refugees in Amsterdam. The Dutch Red Cross and the Municipality of Amsterdam have set up a transfer location/humanitarian service point at the RAI where refugees are received and where help requests from Ukrainians are provided. The Ukrainian refugees are offered a place from the RAI where they can stay for the foreseeable future.
According to RVD, upon her arrival, Queen Maxima spoke with employees of the Dutch Red Cross and the municipality of Amsterdam about starting up the location and about cooperation with other organizations in areas such as transportation and information provision. The role of the Dutch Red Cross, aid in Ukraine and neighboring countries were also discussed during her visit.
Her Majesty also met with various Ukrainian refugees who spoke about the situation in Ukraine, their journey to the Netherlands, and contact with their loved ones who have decided to stay in their homeland. Her Majesty Queen Maxima also spoke with volunteers who told about their efforts to give the refugees a warm welcome and about their experiences at the humanitarian service point at the RAI.
Her Majesty also participated in a round table discussion with employees of the Dutch Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland, and Takecarebnb, an organization that links refugees to potential host families.
Please click the link below to view photos from today’s visit:
On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands held an audience with the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Ms. Liesje Schreinemacher, at the Paleis Huis ten Bosch in Den Haag.
Thereafter, His Majesty met with the Minister for Legal Protection of the Netherlands, Mr. Franc Weereind.
To view photos please click the link below:
On Thursday, March 10, 2022, Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands meet with Ukrainian refugees and representatives from the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) at Harskamp, a refugee shelter army camp, in Ede, Netherlands.
According to RVD, last Thursday the first:
“…120 Ukrainian refugees arrived at the Harskamp army camp. The maximum capacity of 950 refugees has now been reached. In collaboration with, among others, the Red Cross, the Netherlands Council for Refugees and the Ministry of Defense caterer, COA received the Ukrainians and provided them with basic needs.”
During today’s visit Their Majesties met with Ukrainian citizens who had fled their home country, listened to their stories and expressed their support and condolences.
The royal couple discussed the role of the municipality of Ede in the “…reception of refugees with the village council of Harskamp and municipal officials. In conclusion, COA employees, various partner organizations and volunteers explained how they started the reception in recent weeks and what logistical and other challenges it entails.”
To view a photo gallery from today’s visit please click the link below:
The Royal Correspondent 