Princess Beatrix to attend Anglo-Netherlands Society centenary celebration

On the evening of Tuesday 29 March Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands will attend a reception in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Anglo-Netherlands Society (ANS) in London. The reception will be held in the State Apartments at Kensington Palace, originally built and lived in by King William III, the Dutch stadholder, and his wife Queen Mary.

The reception, at which many ANS members will be present, will highlight bilateral relations between the British and Dutch. Princess Beatrix will speak with a number of members, as well as meeting representatives of the two British universities where Dutch is taught. The reception will also be attended by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

The Anglo-Netherlands Society brings together members from Dutch and British backgrounds. It was established in 1920 with the purpose of strengthening and maintaining the good ties between the British and Dutch people. It does so by promoting shared social, artistic, literary, educational and scientific interests. To this end, the ANS regularly arranges lectures and visits, the social aspect of which is also valued in addition to learning more about each other’s countries.

The ANS’s 60th anniversary celebration in 1980 was attended by Princess Juliana. Princess Margriet has also been present at previous ANS events.