Queen Beatrix to visit Brunei

|     Hakim Hayat     |

HER Majesty Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard of The Netherlands will be conducting a two-day State Visit to Brunei Darussalam next week at the invitation of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, according to the Netherland Royal House website.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam with Her Majesty Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard of The Netherlands in this January 2011 file photo. – INFOFOTO

Upon arrival on Monday, January 21, The Netherlands Head of State is scheduled to meet His Majesty, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and other members of the royal family at an official welcoming ceremony at the Istana Nurul Iman. His Majesty will also host a State Banquet in honour of Her Majesty’s visit.

Brunei Darussalam and The Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1984 and both countries have enjoyed warm and long-standing ties through the partnership between the Brunei Government and Royal Dutch Shell (RDS) in the oil and gas industry, which began in 1929.

Both monarchs last met during His Majesty’s visit to The Netherland’s capital Amsterdam in January 2011 for an official visit to further enhance bilateral relations.

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix will leave for Singapore on January 23 to meet the Singaporean President, Tony Tan Keng Yam in a State Visit.