AP
NOS News•
King and Queen Máxima and Princess of Orange arrived in Aruba today. It was the fourth day of a tour through the Caribbean part of the kingdom for the trio.
A welcome party was held at the Wilhelminaplein in the capital, Oranjestad. After a conversation with Governor Alfonso Bouchodt, a march followed to the States, the island’s highest administrative body. There the trio met the leaders of the group.
The Oranges were greeted enthusiastically by the Europeans:
The royal couple and Amalia receive a warm welcome in Aruba
Then they walked to Cocolishi, the home of the Cabinet. Lunch was served here with Prime Minister of Aruba Evelyn Weaver Cross and Ministers. Weaver Cross asked the King how Princess Beatrix is doing, ANP news agency reports.
“May I ask how is your mother?” asked the Prime Minister. “Yes, of course,” said the King, “she is well.” Who also mentioned that his mother’s birthday is tomorrow. Then you will be 85 years old.
The Prime Minister also gave a gift to the oranges. A statue of an oath, a tree symbolizing the Caribbean. The tree is used as a natural compass, ANP writes. Then the king made the comparison with Aruba, the westernmost point of the kingdom. “The other compass,” he called the country.
During the visit, the King affirmed that he and his family always feel very welcome in the country. “Aruba will always be in our hearts,” he said.
Protest Action Group
At the end of the day, there was also a protest in San Nicolas by a group that criticized the relationship between the Netherlands and Aruba. Dozens of people with banners pointed out, among other things, that Holland pays little attention and money to the island.
The demonstrators presented a list of demands to Secretary of State Alexandra Van Hoeffelen of Kingdom Relations. Van Hoevelin said he would give the list to the king at the request of the protesters.
NOS
The protesters are part of the Aruban Warriors action group, ANP writes. They represent a group of indigenous Indians who belong to the indigenous people of the island. The group basically wants financial compensation from the Dutch government for the gold the Netherlands would have stolen in the past.
What makes a trip more than just a business visit, we explain in this video:
Why Amalia’s first official business trip isn’t just a visit
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