The Imperial Household Agency has released an itinerary for Emperor Naruhito’s and Empress Masako’s state visits this month.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are scheduled to visit the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Belgium later this month. The visits come after both royal families sent repeated invitations over the years for the Imperial Couple to visit. This week, the Imperial Household Agency along with the Dutch Government Service responsible for the affairs of the royal family have released details about the exiting upcoming visit.
The Emperor and Empress will leave Japan on the morning of 13 June aboard a government plane and are scheduled to arrive in Amsterdam in the afternoon local time. According to RVD, the state visit is a confirmation of the ‘close and historic relationship’ between Japan and the Netherlands. The two countries share over 426 years of bilateral relations. The bond with Japan was originally primarily economic and is now also focused on security, innovation, defense, economic resilience, and the international rule of law. Upon their arrival in Amsterdam, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will officially welcome Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at Dam Square. Following introductions of the respective delegations, the Royal Military Band ‘Johan Willem Friso’ will play the national anthems of both countries. An inspection of the Guard of Honour will then take place.
In the Throne Room of the Royal Palace, a presentation of imperial gifts and other Japanese masterpieces from the Dutch Royal Collections has been arranged, showcasing the shared history of Japan and the Netherlands. Following the state visit, the presentation will also be open to visitors of the Royal Palace this summer.
The Imperial Couple will also lay a wreath at the National Monument on Dam Square.
To conclude the first day of the visit, a glittering state banquet will be hosted by the Dutch King and Queen. Accompanying Their Majesties will be Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Ariane, Princess Beatrix, Princess Margriet, Princess Laurentien as well as Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven. This will be the first time Princess Ariane will attend a state banquet which should be a white tie tiara affair.
The Emperor and Empress will stay at Het Oude Loo while in the Netherlands. The Emperor and Empress were previously hosted here during then-Crown Princess Masako’s recovery in the early 2000s.
Numerous engagements are scheduled, both with the respective royal families and without, as well as joint engagement’s by the Imperial Couple with a few for the Emperor alone. Empress Masako will prioritise her health during the trip and is scheduled to be accompanied by her personal physician.
In Belgium, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako’s itinerary includes visits to Brussels Town Hall and the Federal Parliament, as well as tours of Namur, the world’s largest semiconductor research and development organisation “IMEC,” and a visit to KU Leuven. There has yet to be confirmation from the Belgian Royal Palace on attendance at the state banquet which will be hosted on 23 June. The Emperor and Empress will stay at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Belgium.
The Royal News Organisation will keep you up to date with all the exciting developments for an Imperial Summer.
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