Shapiro welcomes king and queen of the Netherlands

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WHTM) — The City of Brotherly Love welcomed royalty on Monday.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima started their visit to the United States in Philadelphia. Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and first lady Lori Shapiro were there to welcome the royals outside Independence Hall, the site where the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

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“We’re very proud to show off this incredible house of history where our nation was created 250 years ago,” Shapiro said. “You know, the Netherlands and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania share an incredibly deep, historical and cultural ties.”

William Penn, the state’s founder, was born to a Dutch mother, and many places in the state — such as the Schuylkill River — have names of Dutch origin.

The Netherlands was also the second country to recognize the United States, but as the king noted, “the very first official salute, not recognition but salute to the newborn nation, came from Fort Oranje in Sint Eustatius, a small Caribbean island that is part of the Netherlands.”

“It was a tribute to a ship carrying a precious gift: a copy of your Declaration of Independence, adopted four months earlier here in Philadelphia,” Willem-Alexander said.

Governor Shapiro Welcomes the King and Queen of the Netherlands to Philadelphia, Highlight Economic Ties between Pennsylvania and the Netherlands

Despite the shared history, the royals’ visit also focused on the future. More than 260 Dutch companies provide over 26,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. The Shapiros joined the royals for a roundtable with the CEOs of Dutch businesses to encourage more investment.

“Our transatlantic bond is the best guarantee of a good future,” Willem-Alexander said. “For both Europeans and Americans, in a predictable world, it makes sense to build our relations with strong, loyal and reliable partners. Partners with whom we have worked with for many years, and who have proved their good intentions.”

The king’s message may very well have been a rehearsal for his visit with President Donald Trump, who invited the royals to spend Monday night at the White House. They will be joined by Prime Minister Rob Jetten for dinner with the president.

Dutch lawmakers have expressed unease over the trip. The Netherlands plays a key role in NATO, which the president has suggested the U.S. may leave after members of the alliance ignored his calls to help as Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump’s meeting with the royals and Jetten will not be public. After leaving D.C., the royals are scheduled to spend several days in Miami, Florida.

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Shapiro welcomes king and queen of the Netherlands

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