Dutch King and Queen Visit Philadelphia on Diplomatic Trip

The Netherlands' royal couple toured historic sites and discussed economic ties with Pennsylvania's governor.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:18pm

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands visited Philadelphia on Monday, touring historic landmarks like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. The royal couple discussed economic partnerships between the Netherlands and Pennsylvania, particularly in the energy, agriculture, and life sciences sectors.

Why it matters

The visit highlights the strong diplomatic and economic ties between the Netherlands and the United States, especially Pennsylvania. As one of the first countries to recognize American independence, the Netherlands has maintained a close relationship with the U.S. over the centuries, and this trip showcases the ongoing collaboration between the two nations.

The details

During their visit, the king and queen exchanged historical documents with Governor Shapiro, with the Netherlands providing a copy of the Act of Abjuration, their version of the Declaration of Independence, to be displayed at the Museum of the American Revolution. The leaders also discussed the $3.7 billion in trade between Pennsylvania and the Netherlands, a 17% increase from the previous year. Pennsylvania is the sixth-largest international job creator for the Netherlands.

  • King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands arrived in Philadelphia on April 12, 2026.
  • The royal couple toured historic sites in Philadelphia's Old City on April 13, 2026.

The players

King Willem-Alexander

The reigning King of the Netherlands since 2013.

Queen Máxima

The Queen consort of the Netherlands, married to King Willem-Alexander.

Josh Shapiro

The Governor of Pennsylvania since 2023.

Lori Shapiro

The First Lady of Pennsylvania, married to Governor Josh Shapiro.

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What they’re saying

“This is a historic site for the Dutch as well as the Americans, and the Netherlands was one of the first countries to recognize this new era and to embrace it. Both documents reflect the same spirit and defend the same principles: liberty, the rejection of tyranny and dictatorship, and governance by the consent of the governed.”

— King Willem-Alexander

“We're very proud to show off this incredible house of history where our nation was created 250 years ago. The history is important, but the future is where we find great possibility.”

— Governor Josh Shapiro

“Pennsylvania is one of our key partners, and this is about more than just business alone. We worked together closely on innovations to improve our health care, strengthen our maritime sector, help our cities thrive, and make our living environments cleaner.”

— King Willem-Alexander

What’s next

The historical documents exchanged during the visit will soon go on display at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.

The takeaway

This diplomatic visit underscores the longstanding ties between the Netherlands and the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, where robust economic and cultural exchanges have flourished for decades. The shared values of liberty and self-governance that bind the two nations were on full display during the royal couple's tour of Philadelphia's historic landmarks.