Royal Couple pays working visit to Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and Florida - programme

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Máxima are paying a working visit to the United States (US). They will visit Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and Miami in the state of Florida from Monday 13 April to Wednesday 15 April 2026. 

The relationship and mutual Transatlantic link between the US and the Kingdom of the Netherlands is important for security and prosperity. The US is an important ally within NATO. Economic ties between the two countries are strong and multifaceted. 

The working visit aims to underline and strengthen the relationship and intensive cooperation in many areas at both federal and state levels. The visit provides an opportunity, in the year the US celebrates 250 years of independence, to reflect on the deep historical and cultural ties between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the US. 

The working visit to Florida and Pennsylvania is part of a series of working visits to the US: Texas and California (2022) and New York and Georgia (2024). Key themes during this working visit are maritime manufacturing, innovation and culture, healthcare, technology and water. The visit to Florida is also dominated by the strong ties with the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The United States is the main trading partner of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, with Florida (especially Miami) serving as the main transit and trade hub to the US and Latin America.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima are accompanied on their visit to Pennsylvania by Foreign Minister Berendsen. Minister Sjoerdsma of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation and Minister Van Heydoorn of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Curaçao will also participate in Philadelphia. During the visit to Washington D.C., the Royal Couple will be accompanied by Prime Minister Jetten. In Florida, the Royal Couple is accompanied by Minister Sjoerdsma of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation and Minister Karremans of Infrastructure and Water Management is also present. 

In Miami, from Aruba, Minister Croes of Kingdom Affairs, Education, Youth, Innovation and Sports and Minister Cicilia of Tourism, Transport and Labour are participating. From Curaçao, Minister Middelhof of Economic Development and Minister Van Heydoorn of Education, Science, Culture and Sport are present. From Sint Maarten, Minister Heyliger-Marten of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Transport is participating.

Monday 13 April - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Morning

Governor's reception, press statement and tour of Independence Hall
On Monday morning, the Royal Couple will be received in Philadelphia by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro. Following this, the King and governor will give a brief press statement. The Royal Couple will then be given a tour of Independence Hall reflecting on the 250th anniversary of the US and the Dutch role in it. Part of the tour includes a visit to the Liberty Bell, the symbol of US independence.

CEO roundtable and networking reception
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will speak at a CEO roundtable with business representatives about trade opportunities and the broad economic relationship with Pennsylvania, especially in the fields of agriculture and horticulture, biomedical and health sciences and high tech. Afterwards, they and Governor Shapiro will visit a networking reception with US and Dutch representatives from companies, the sports and cultural sector and the government, among others. The King will give a short speech here.

Afternoon

District visit Fishtown, Philadelphia Eagles American football club and sports innovations
In the afternoon, the Royal Couple will visit Fishtown, a developing neighbourhood where American and Dutch art and architecture are visible. The visit starts at the ‘Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School’, where Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker also joins them. Then, further along the neighbourhood, they will be explained about Dutch architecture and wall art and speak to local residents.

The visit to Pennsylvania ends at the American Football club Philadelphia Eagles where King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will tour the training facility. In the process, they will interact with staff and athletes and receive an explanation of innovations within the sport. This will be followed by an economic session where entrepreneurs will present innovative products in the sports sector and attention will be paid to Curaçao's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the Eagles' stadium, the Lincoln Financial Field.

Evening - Washington D.C.

Networking reception and White House
A networking reception will be held in Washington with representatives of Dutch and US companies, cultural institutions and the US government. King Willem-Alexander delivers a speech. The Royal Couple will then stay at the White House for a dinner and overnight stay at the invitation of President Trump. Prime Minister Jetten will also participate in the dinner. 

Tuesday, April 14 - Florida, Miami

Afternoon

Henry Mack School
The visit to Florida starts at the Henry Mack School in Miami. This primary schools plays a special role in the neighbourhood. Pupils here display murals they create with artists from the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. 

Meeting Secretary of State Byrd and press statement
At the Pérez Art Museum, the Royal Couple is greeted by Secretary of State, Cord Byrd. After a conversation, the King and Secretary of State give a brief press statement. 

CEO roundtable, tour and conversation with Caribbean students
At a CEO roundtable, the Royal Couple will speak with Secretary of State Byrd about the Kingdom's trade relationship with Florida, including a focus on the investment climate and exploring cooperation opportunities in logistics, employment and talent development. 

After a short tour of the Pérez Art Museum known for its collection of Caribbean and Latin American art, they will engage in conversation with students from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom studying at various universities in Florida.

Domino park and flood resilience
In the Little Havana neighbourhood, the Royal Couple meets local residents, mostly from the Latino community, who play dominoes with each other. They talk to them about the importance of the ‘Domino Park’ as a meeting place. This is followed by a visit to the ‘Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science’ at the University of Miami. The theme of this visit is flood resilience and what Florida and the Netherlands can learn from each other in this context. The Royal Couple will then view the ‘Wave Tank SUSTAIN’, a simulator that can simulate hurricane winds, and the coral laboratory where they will be given an explanation of the programme where coral species are crossed to breed stronger and more resilient corals. Cooperation opportunities with the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom are also explored here.

Wednesday 15 April - Florida, Miami

Morning

Maritime manufacturing and Shake-a-Leg
The Royal Couple will attend part of the pitch sessions where Dutch maritime manufacturing companies will present themselves to potential US customers. They will then join a ‘maritime executive’ roundtable on cooperation, shared challenges and solutions in the field of maritime manufacturing. Finally, they will get a tour of the Shake-a-Leg Marina where they will be explained the work of this organisation that makes water sports accessible for people with disabilities. 

Innovation in cardiovascular surgery
At the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, the Royal Couple will get a guided tour where they will speak with doctors and be shown various innovative technologies and processes. The institute collaborates with Dutch companies on interdisciplinary approaches, solutions and innovations in cardiac and vascular surgery. Both Florida and the Netherlands are facing an ageing population and with it pressure on elderly and healthcare.

Afternoon 

Freedom Tower, network reception
The Royal Couple will receive a short tour of the ‘Libertad’ exhibition on migration and Miami's role as a refuge in museum Freedom Tower. Afterwards, they will participate in a networking reception and speak about maritime tourism with Caribbean and Dutch destinations and mental health in the sports industry, among other topics. They will also speak with US investors about trade opportunities in the Kingdom and with Kingdom SMEs working in Florida. The King will deliver a short speech here.