by Alex Lloyd Gross
Just in time to help celebrate the 250th birthday of America, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands stopped by Philadelphia to see the sights, say hello, and chat with Governor Josh Shapiro and Rick Siger, who is the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo Delaware Valley News.com Her Majesty, Queen Maxima is escorted to her car. People in the background have no idea of what is happening.
According to statistics put out by the governor’s office, in 2025, trade between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Pennsylvania totaled $3.7 billion, up 17 percent from 2024. This included more than $1.6 billion in pharmaceutical products, reflecting a growing and robust partnership in life sciences. With this growth in trade, the Netherlands ranks as Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest international job creator and 16th-largest trading partner.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo Delaware Valley News.com Their Majesties see the Liberty Bell.
Governor Shapiro and his wife, Lori, welcomed His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima to Independence Hall shortly before 9:00 a.m. They went inside for a private tour. When they emerged, there was time for His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Governor Josh Shapiro to make a joint statement.
They both pledged to work to increase trade. His Majesty wished Americans a happy birthday, and then it was time for some historic sightseeing. They took a quick walk across Chestnut Street to see the Liberty Bell. That moment turned into pandemonium, as a media scrum tried to capture photos while the protocol office worked to herd reporters into position for a quick photo op. Security had their hands full as onlookers noticed the large entourage and wondered what was happening. Most had no idea that a king and queen had just walked past them.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Maxima share a laugh as they are escorted by Governor Josh Shapiro and his wife Lori.
It made for a postcard-perfect photo of the two royals, with Independence Hall in the background. The Majesties then headed to the Cira Centre on Arch Street for a roundtable on trade. Building on this shared success, Dutch VB Greenhouses BV and U.S.-based Little Leaf Farms PA LLC signed a contract after the roundtable with the intent to build a commercial greenhouse facility in Banks Township, Pennsylvania, expanding the company’s campus into what is expected to become the largest indoor leafy greens facility in the world.
The royals also visited a school in Fishtown and the Philadelphia Eagles training facility. They also stopped by Lincoln Financial Field, where FIFA matches will be played in just a few short months.