Since her abdication, Princess Beatrix has made few visits abroad (at least outside of holidays). Beatrix will visit the Danish region of Amager on Friday, together with Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. What’s on the agenda for them? And how is the bond between the two royals?
The 84-year-old Dutch and 82-year-old Danish have been good friends for years, since they met as teenagers. Moreover, Margrethe is Willem-Alexander’s godmother. The king, in turn, is good friends with Frederik, Margrethe’s eldest son. “I have always admired her very much. I adore her,” said the Danish queen in conversation with Ivo Niehe.
They visit the region to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Dutch farmers in Denmark and the 100th anniversary of the Amager Museum. Beatrix was also at the celebration of the 450th anniversary in 1971. Denmark will organize activities in 2021 and 2022 that will underline both the historical ties between the Netherlands and Denmark and the current agricultural cooperation.
This collaboration started in 1521, when the Danish king Christian II invited gardeners from the municipality of Waterland to share their knowledge about agriculture in Denmark. The Dutch farmers settled near the village of Dragør on the island of Amager, south of Copenhagen. Thanks to the Dutch farmers, the area was enriched with vegetables, fruit and flowers.
Margrethe and Beatrix at the memorial service for Britain’s Prince Philip in March.
Margrethe and Beatrix at the memorial service for Britain’s Prince Philip in March. Photo: ANP
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What are they going to do?
In the morning, Queen Margrethe II and Princess Beatrix arrive at Dragør Town Hall. Then they leave by carriage to the Amager Museum for the opening of the exhibition Amager’s private treasures.
Then Margrethe and Beatrix visit the exhibition 500 years of Dutch history on Amager in the museum. They also get a demonstration of the traditional Shrovetide riding with horses.
The visit ends at the farm of the Seerup Hansen family. The eighteenth generation of an originally Dutch family lives here, which grows herbs, vegetables and flowers in both traditional and contemporary organic ways. Margrethe and Beatrix receive an explanation and are shown around.
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