The Crown Princess visits the Netherlands
On 7–8 June, The Crown Princess visited the Netherlands with State Secretary Stina Billinger, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands and Business Sweden. The themes for the visit were climate transition, innovation and gender equality.
The Crown Princess gave a speech to mark the 60th anniversary of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
The visit began with a canal boat trip though Amsterdam, during which The Crown Princess learnt about the city's work with sustainability, climate transition and energy-related issues. The Crown Princess then visited Edge Olympic. The former post office has been converted using existing materials and re-using sustainable new products that minimise environmental impact.
The first day of The Crown Princess's visit to the Netherlands began with a canal boat trip, during which she learnt about the city's work with sustainability, climate transition and energy-related issues. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
In the afternoon, The Crown Princess attended a summit to mark the 60th anniversary of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands.
The Crown Princess, Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands and State Secretary Stina Billinger visited Edge Olympic in Amsterdam. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
The Crown Princess opened the Swedish-Dutch Sustainability and Innovation Summit 2022 with a speech, in which she said:
I am very much looking forward to this summit and to further strengthening the excellent cooperation between Sweden and the Netherlands. To the Swedish Chamber of Commerce: I wish you prosperous and successful years going forward. Congratulations, and the best of luck!”
HRH The Crown Princess
The Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy Micky Adriaansens, The Crown Princess and Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands at the Swedish-Dutch Innovation and Sustainability Summit. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
Gala dinner
In the evening, The Crown Princess attended a reception and gala dinner arranged by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands.
The Crown Princess and Kerstin Gerlagh, CEO of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
During the dinner, the Chamber of Commerce, the Swedish Embassy and Business Sweden presented the Swedish Chamber Business Awards to Swedish businesses operating in the Netherlands.
The Crown Princess presented a Swedish Chamber Business Award to Evereth Flores, CEO of Ericsson in the Netherlands. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
The Crown Princess and Jon Abrahamsson Ring, CEO of Inter IKEA. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
The Crown Princess also presented an award to Mathias Holst from Lynk & Co. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
Day 2
The second day of The Crown Princess's visit to the Netherlands began in the Hague, where discussions were held on gender equality in business. The Crown Princess then visited ABB's E-mobility Innovation Lab in Delft. Here, research and development are carried out for electric cars and charging infrastructure.
At ABB's E-mobility Innovation Lab in Delft. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
In Rotterdam, The Crown Princess visited the Underwater Defence Technology Exhibition. At the exhibition, The Crown Princess spoke with representatives from the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish Defence Research Institute and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, and visited Saab's stand where the company presented its current projects.
The Crown Princess was given a presentation by Lars Tossman and Hein van Ameijden on submarine cooperation between Saab Kockums and the Dutch company Damen Shipyards Group. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
The Crown Princess then took a boat trip in the Port of Rotterdam and learnt about the port's significance for global trade flows and its ambition to become the world's most sustainable port.
The Crown Princess and Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb at the Port of Rotterdam. Photo: Henric Wauge/SPA
The visit to the Netherlands concluded with a meeting with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Princess Amalia.
Swedish-Dutch relations
Sweden has long enjoyed close and excellent relations with the Netherlands. Over the centuries, trade has played a central role in this cooperation, and was a key reason why the two countries entered into an agreement on defence cooperation, commerce and shipping as early as 1614.
The Netherlands was the first country with which Sweden exchanged permanent ambassadors. Commemorations to mark four hundred years of diplomatic links between the countries therefore took place in 2014.