OTTAWA—At the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will represent Canada at the Investiture Ceremony of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander. The Investiture ceremony will take place at De Nieuwe Kerk, in Amsterdam, on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at 2 p.m. (Central Europe Summer Time)
“Sharon and I are honoured to represent Canada at the investiture of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander,” said the Governor General. “Canada and the Netherlands share a very special history and relationship; we hope that the friendship between the Dutch and Canadian people continues to flourish into the future. We wish His Majesty all the best as he undertakes his new responsibilities as King of the Netherlands and we must thank Queen Beatrix for her long service and dedication to her country. ”
During their visit to the Netherlands on April 29 and 30, 2013, Their Excellencies will meet with Dutch innovation specialists in order to further build the existing Canada-Netherlands bilateral relationship. They will also have the opportunity of attending a reception to honour volunteers dedicated to preserving the memory of Canadians who served in the Liberation of the Netherlands, during the Second World War.
Below is the detailed itinerary (Central Europe Summer Time).
Monday, April 29
The Hague
12:30 p.m.
Luncheon Discussion on Innovation
His Excellency will participate in a discussion on innovation hosted by Mr. James Lambert, Ambassador of Canada to the Netherlands. This luncheon will be attended by Dutch public policy specialists, business representatives, and thinkers who focus on innovation policy, and the relationship between innovation, academia and government.
Official Residence of the Ambassador of Canada to the Netherlands, Wassenaar
OPEN TO MEDIA
2:30 p.m.
Reception to Honour Volunteers Preserving the Memory of Canadians Who Served During the Liberation of the Netherlands
As this visit to the Netherlands coincides with the annual Dutch commemoration of the Second World War (May 4) and Liberation Day (May 5), Their Excellencies will attend a reception to honour those who served in the Liberation as well as the Dutch volunteers who have been active in keeping the memory of our shared history alive.
Official Residence of the Ambassador of Canada to the Netherlands, Wassenaar
OPEN TO MEDIA
8 p.m.
Dinner in Honour of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix
At the invitation of Her Majesty The Queen, Their Excellencies will attend a dinner with members of the Dutch Royal Family and foreign dignitaries.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
OPEN TO ACCREDITED MEDIA ONLY
Tuesday, April 30
Amsterdam
2 p.m.
Investiture Ceremony of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander
Their Excellencies will represent Canada at the Investiture Ceremony of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander.
De Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam
OPEN TO ACCREDITED MEDIA ONLY
4 p.m.
Reception Hosted by Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Their Excellencies will attend a reception for royal and foreign dignitaries, where they will be introduced to Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Royal Palace, Amsterdam
CLOSED TO MEDIA
8 p.m.
Water Pageant
Their Excellencies will take part in a water pageant on the river IJ. They will sail from the EYE Film Institute past the Oever Park and the Kop van Java.
River IJ, Amsterdam
OPEN TO MEDIA
9:30 p.m.
Dinner Reception and Celebratory Event for Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Their Excellencies will represent Canada at a celebration hosted by His Excellency Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, on behalf of the Council of Ministers for the Kingdom.
Muziekgebouw aan‘t IJ, Amsterdam
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Members of the public can follow Their Excellencies’ visit to the Netherlands online at www.gg.ca.
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