Airport:--- The Royal Family comprising of Queen Beatrix, her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, and his wife Princess Máxima received a warm welcome when they touched down at the Princess Juliana International Airport on Thursday morning. The aircraft carrying the Royal Family touched down at 10:30am. At the airport to welcome and greet the Royal Family was Governor drs. Eugene Holiday along with first lady Marie Louise Holiday and Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams.
Queen Beatrix stepped on to the red carpet greeted the St. Maarten Officials before inspecting the guards of honor. At the Airport, the Wilhelmus and the St. Maarten song were played before a bouquet of flowers was handed to Queen Beatrix by Naomi Selena Kemble of Oranje School and Princess Maxima by Tyrese Shemar McBeancoutar of St. Joseph School.
The Royal family then greeted the President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell shortly before leaving the Airport to go to Philipsburg.
Along the roadside from Simpson Bay to Philipsburg several school children lined up waving St. Maarten flags and the orange balloon as the Royal Family passed. The St. Maarten Police Force accompanied by the BAVOL were seen throughout the streets of St. Maarten as security was elevated to the highest level for the official visit of the Royal Family.
When the entourage arrived in Philipsburg the Royal Family was taken to the Governor's mansion before they were brought to the Government Administration Building. Students of the Oranje School lined up in front of the Government Administration Building where they welcomed the Royal Family and waved St. Maarten flags. At the Government Administration Building, the Royal Family along with Governor drs. Eugene Holiday met with the Council of Ministers for about twenty minutes. Media personnel were barred from entering or taking any photographs of the official meeting with the Council of Ministers.
When the meeting with the Government Officials concluded the Royal family led by Queen Beatrix came on to the balcony of the Government Building and waved to the large crowd that gathered outside of the government building to get a glimpse of the Royal Family.
The Royal Family was then taken to the Mental Health Foundation in Cay Hill where Queen Beatrix officially opened the new facility by unveiling the plaque. At the Mental Health Facility, Minister of Health Cornelius De Weever was on hand to receive Her Majesty, and her son Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his wife Princess Maxima. The Royal Family was given a tour of the facility before they were escorted to the Emilio Wilson Park to meet with the environmental foundations. At Emilio Wilson's Park, the young, old, and the middle aged gathered there to get a glimpse of the Royal family. Presentations were made by the St. Maarten Pride Foundation Jadira Veen, Nature Foundation Ruben Thompson and Jay Haviser of SIMARC.
Veen explained the Royal family some of the activities that are being carried out by the St. Maarten Pride Foundation, while Haviser spoke of SIMARC students and the archaeological projects they have worked on thus far. Her Majesty and Princess Maxima engaged in conversations with the students of SIMARC. They asked questions one of which focused on the kind of support these students get from their parents regarding archaeology and the environment.
Students of the Sundial School presented the best display on Thursday for the Royal Family. The organizers of the institution had well set tables set up to display the restaurant of the Sundial School, while in the corridor there were students conducting facials, while others performing manicures and pedicures.
Besides the curriculum that was displayed at the learning institution, students of the Sundial School also engaged in a cultural manifestation which captured the attention of the Royal Family.
National Manifestation --- Embracing St. Maarten's Tradition.
The highlight of the day's activities took place at the Clem Labega Square where students of the Imbali Center for Creative Movements, Motiance Dance School, Dance Theatre of St. Maarten, Tanny and the Boys, Tiny and the Boys, The Bottle Neck Crew, and the Soualiga Capoeria entertained the Royal Family.
Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams addressed the Royal Family of St. Maarten's current situation after achieving separate status a year ago.
At the end of the official program, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix made sure she thanked the performers for the entertainment they provided the Royal Family. They also mingled with the students of Imbali, Motiance Dance Schools as well as the Capoeria stilt walkers.
It must be noted that St. Maarten is the only place thus far that gave the Royal Family a hearty welcome without protesting. At each location, the Royal Family received a hearty welcome with a planned program. However, media personnel were barred from entering the meetings. Her Majesty held meetings with the Governor of St. Maarten and the Prime Minister. SMN News learnt that DCOMM personnel were not even allowed to take photographs of the meetings. One source said committee member Marcel Gumbs blocked DCOMM workers from entering the meetings saying that based on protocol no one is supposed to record or repeat what her Majesty says on her working visits.
Click here to view photos of the Royal Family visit to St. Maarten 1.
Click here to view photos of the Royal Family visit to St. Maarten 2.
Click here to view photos of the Royal Family visit to St. Maarten 3.
Click here to view photos of the Royal Family visit to St. Maarten 4.
