King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands are on a State Visit to the Republic of Suriname from December 1 to 3, to highlight the broad cooperation between Suriname and the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the close ties between their communities in the 50 years since it has gained independence.
President Simons and her husband King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima welcomed the Royal Couple at the Presidential Palace with an official welcome ceremony, followed by a tête-à-tête, ahead of talks with the Surinamese president and her ministers.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima laid a wreath at the statue of Mama Sranan, which symbolizes “Mother Suriname”, before visiting the National Assembly and the Court of Justice and meeting representatives of descendants of enslaved people and indigenous communities in Suriname.
In the evening, President Simons held a State Banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima in Paramaribo, at which the King gave a Speech:
Madam President,
Mr. Geerlings,Grantangi!
My wife and I thank you for your hospitality and kind words.It means a lot to us to visit your country in this year, when you celebrate 50 years of Srefidensi. For me personally, this is an experience I’ve been looking forward to. My parents came to know and love this country before I was born. I was exposed to its stories as a child. When I was eleven, my grandparents made the very first state visit to the young Republic of Suriname. Since then, much water has flowed through the Suriname River.
In turbulent times, the bond between Suriname and the Netherlands always remained palpable. How wonderful to now be able to express this personally—together with my wife!
Suriname is fifty years young. What you have achieved in that relatively short time is extraordinary. Where else in the world do populations so diverse in origin live so peacefully side by side with each other? In a world where conflicts between groups are intensifying and polarization is undermining societies, Suriname is a beacon of humanity.
Queen Máxima wore the Dutch Diamond Bandeau and Diamond Earrings, with the Dutch East Indies Bracelet.
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