Traffic disruptions are expected in Brussels on Tuesday as the Dutch royal couple arrives for an official state visit.
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Her Majesty Queen Máxima are coming to Belgium for a three-day state visit, of which two days (Tuesday 20 June and Wednesday 21 June) will be in Brussels.
Their visit will feature a number of official ceremonies, between which there will be numerous car journeys. "Each time, this will be accompanied by traffic interruptions," the police zone City of Brussels/Ixelles said in a statement.
"Especially on Tuesday 20 June, traffic disruptions can be expected in the vicinity of Parc de Bruxelles (Warandepark), Place des Palais and Place du Congrès in the city centre."
No parking and diverted public transport
Parking will be prohibited around these areas from the morning and parked cars will be towed away. Drivers have been asked to avoid this area between 11:00 and 13:00 and to opt for alternative transport or even work from home.
The visit is also expected to cause disruption to tram and bus services operated by STIB. "The moment that the delegations cross bus and tram lines, these will be temporarily interrupted," Guy Sablon, STIB's spokesperson, told The Brussels Times.
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Usually state visits impact the Parc and Palace tram stops, affecting lines 92 and 93. Bus lines (71 and 95) will also be diverted. "Some disruption is to be expected but these distances are short and there are ways to get around them."
STIB refers passengers to its website for more information about changes.
Traditional and modern themes
The Dutch royal couple will visit Belgium's three regions with a programme that features all the typical aspects of a state visit. This includes protocol ceremonies, a visit to Brussels town hall and a state banquet at the Castle of Laeken. However the focus will be largely on the energy transition and political, cultural and economic themes.
The last state visit from Dutch Royals was in 2006, when Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands visited the country. Credit: Belga/ Michel Krakowski
Fans of the royal family will also have several opportunities to glimpse the monarchs, including on Tuesday at the Grand Place in Brussels (16:30), on Wednesday at the Institut Saint-André in Charleroi (15:30) and on Thursday at the KMSKA in Antwerp (11:30).
A sizeable part of the government – the Dutch delegation will consist of eight ministers – is also travelling to Belgium in the wake of the Dutch royal couple.
