State visit to Sweden - programme

News item | 23-09-2022 | 17:00

The state visit affirms the good relationship between Sweden and the Netherlands, which goes back to the 17th century. Today, the two countries are working together to make Europe greener, more resilient and economically more robust. The visit will focus on the energy transition, sustainability, life sciences and smart mobility and transport. It will also highlight shared values and collaboration on innovative solutions to the challenges we face, now and in the future. 

Tuesday 11 October – Stockholm

The state visit will begin in Stockholm, where the King and Queen will be received by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia during a welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace. In the afternoon the King and Queen will meet with the Speaker of the Riksdag (the Swedish parliament) and the prime minister, before proceeding to the Vasa Museum. The Vasa is a warship that was designed and built by a Dutch shipbuilder. However, it capsized and sank in Stockholm Harbour in 1628, shortly after setting sail for the first time. After having lain on the seabed for 333 years, the ship was raised, restored and is now on display at the museum. After a tour of the Vasa, the ship’s bell of the frigate Princess Sophia Albertina, which ran aground off the coast of Den Helder in 1781, will be formally returned to Sweden. The bell was found by recreational divers in 2002. The return of the ship’s bell marks the cooperation between the two countries in the field of maritime cultural heritage. In the evening, King Carl Gustaf will host a state banquet in the Royal Palace, where both heads of state will give speeches. 

Wednesday 12 October – Stockholm

Day two of the state visit will start with a meeting with CEOs of Dutch and Swedish companies to discuss shared challenges and scope for collaboration in a wider range of areas. The King and Queen will then receive members of the Dutch community in Sweden, followed by lunch in Stockholm city hall with the mayor and the president of the city council.
In the afternoon the royal entourage will travel to the energy company Stockholm Exergi in an electric hydrofoil built by Swedish boatbuilder Candela. As the boat gains speed, the hydrofoil lifts it up, reducing drag and allowing even greater speeds. From 2023 the electric hydrofoil will be used as a ferry in Stockholm. Stockholm Exergi is one of Scandinavia’s largest energy companies. They utilise residual heat and convert biofuels and the waste that no longer can or should be recycled into energy. After the tour at Exergi, the King and Queen will visit SciLifeLab, a research facility for an international community of researchers working in the life sciences and other areas, which fosters collaborations on innovative healthcare solutions. In the evening, as thanks for the hospitality they have received in Stockholm, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will host a concert by the ensemble of violinist Tim Kliphuis. 

Thursday 13 October – Gothenburg

The third day of the state visit will take place in Gothenburg and will start with a tour of Lindholmen Science Park. Here, scientists, businesses and government work together on innovations for the development of sustainable cities, with a focus on sustainable transport and mobility, and on digitalisation. The entourage will then take an electric ferry to the Västra Götaland County governor’s residence for lunch. During a boat tour of Gothenburg harbour in the afternoon, the King and Queen will be given more information about the development of green shipping corridors that promote sustainable alternatives to conventional shipping fuels. Other subjects to be discussed include digital corridors for the secure exchange of digital data and documents. During the boat tour, the port authorities of Rotterdam and Gothenburg will sign an agreement on cooperation. The state visit will conclude with a visit to Volvo Trucks Experience Centre for a demonstration of electric trucks and excavators, and a presentation on other developments in the areas of sustainable heavy transport and sustainable supply chains. 

Government Information Service, no. 251

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