Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako begin European royal visit
Japan’s Imperial couple arrive in Amsterdam for official engagements in the Netherlands and Belgium, including royal ceremonies, a memorial tribute and institutional visits.
- Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have begun an official European visit, arriving first in the Netherlands.
- The tour includes official engagements in both the Netherlands and Belgium.
- In the Netherlands, their schedule includes a banquet with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima and visits to a war memorial, a research facility, and a children's cancer centre.
- They will later travel to Belgium for a welcoming ceremony and dinner hosted by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde before
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived at Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam on Saturday evening, June 13, after travelling from Japan on a government aircraft for an official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium.
The visit marks the Imperial couple’s first trip to the Netherlands since 2013.
After leaving the aircraft, they shook hands with members of the Dutch royal family and government officials before departing for Het Oude Loo, a castle used as a royal villa, where they are due to stay until Tuesday.
According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor and Empress had stayed at the villa 20 years earlier for rest and recalled fond memories of their time there.
On Wednesday, they are scheduled to attend a welcoming ceremony and a banquet hosted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, as well as lay flowers at a war memorial.
During their stay in the Netherlands, they will also visit a water-related research facility and a children’s cancer centre.
The Emperor and Empress will travel to Belgium on Saturday, where they will attend a welcoming ceremony and a dinner hosted by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
They are scheduled to return to Japan on June 26.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
