Listen to article \u2022\u00a00:00 min<\/p>\n
The king and queen of the Netherlands will visit Philadelphia next Monday with scheduled stops at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, Kensington<\/a> Creative and Performing Arts High School, and the training facility for the Eagles.<\/p>\n King Willem-Alexander and Queen M\u00e1xima will then have dinner that evening at the White House accompanied by Rob Jetten, prime minister of the Netherlands, according to the official announcement<\/a>. The king and queen will stay the night at the White House and then complete their trip to the United States in Miami.<\/p>\n The 54-year-old queen, who was born in Argentina, drew attention in early February when the royal house announced<\/a> that she had begun training to become a reserve member of the army in the Netherlands, which is a founding member of NATO.<\/p>\n The age limit to join the Royal Netherlands Army as a reservist is 55. The queen\u2019s decision was viewed as a way to boost military recruitment<\/a>, though she could technically be called for a deployment.<\/p>\n When the queen and king arrive Monday, they will be welcomed by Gov. Josh Shapiro<\/a> and first lady Lori Shapiro. The royals will be given a tour of Independence Hall to highlight the 250th anniversary of America\u2019s independence and will visit the Liberty Bell.<\/p>\n The Netherlands provided arms and financial aid to the American Revolution<\/a>, and was the second country to formally recognize the new United States.<\/p>\n And before the days of William Penn, the Netherlands had a trading outpost in the vicinity of what is now known as Eastwick<\/a> in Southwest Philadelphia. The outpost was called Fort Beversreede, which means \u201cbeavers road\u201d in Dutch.<\/p>\n After visiting Old City<\/a>, the king and queen will head to the Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School, where they are scheduled to be joined by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cElsewhere in the neighbourhood they will learn about Dutch architecture and murals and talk with local residents,\u201d the royal news release said<\/a>.<\/p>\n The royal day in the city will end with a trip to the Eagles training facility, which is now officially called the Jefferson Health<\/a> Training Complex.<\/p>\n There will be a session afterward for sports-related business presentations, and to highlight the participation of the Caribbean island of Cura\u00e7ao, which is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in the 2026 World Cup<\/a> at Lincoln Financial Field.<\/p>\n