Japanese Royal Visits to The Netherlands

The Dutch Royal Family and the Japanese Imperial Family have had a long and close relationship over several generations, which will be further cemented on Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako’s State Visit to The Netherlands tomorrow!

In 1953, then Crown Prince Akihito visited The Netherlands as a part of a six-month world tour to attend the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Next, Princess Beatrix of The Netherlands went on an official 10-day visit to Japan in 1963, meeting Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako at the Imperial Palace, and also being received by Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko. Princess Beatrix returned to Japan with Prince Claus for official visits in 1970 and also in 1977.

In 1971, Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako visited the Dutch Royal Family at Soestdijk Palace amidst a two day visit to The Netherlands, as part of their first Tour of Europe after the Second World War.

Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko were received by the Dutch Royal Family on their visit to The Netherlands in 1979.

In 1990, the then Prince of Orange represented The Netherlands at the Enthronement of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan.

The following year, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (in the Meiji Scroll Tiara) hosted Queen Beatrix (wearing the Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara) and the Prince of Orange on their State Visit to Japan.

In return, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (in the Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara) were hosted by Queen Beatrix (wearing the Mellerio Ruby Tiara) and Prince Claus on their State Visit to The Netherlands in 2000.

The following year, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan joined the Dutch Royal Family to celebrate the Wedding of Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands and Petra Laurentien Brinkhorst at the Grote of St Jacobskerk in The Hague.

A year later, Crown Prince Naruhito represented Japan at the Wedding of Prince of Orange and Máxima Zorreguieta in Amsterdam.

The Japanese Crown Princely Family were hosted by the Dutch Royal Family at the Het Oude Loo Hunting Lodge in Apeldoorn in 2006.

In 2013, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako represented Japan at the Inauguration of King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands and Queen Máxima in Amsterdam, which marked the Crown Princess’ return to the Royal Stage.

The following year, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko hosted King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima (in the Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara) on their first State Visit to Japan.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima (in the Mellerio Ruby Tiara) represented The Netherlands at the Enthronement of Emperor Naruhito of Japan and Empress Masako in 2019.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have already arrived in The Netherlands and are staying at the Het Oude Loo Hunting Lodge in Apeldoorn, where they were joined by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to watch their first group stage match of the FIFA World Cup.