HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha yesterday morning consented to receive in audience Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, who arrived yesterday in the country for a three-day State Visit.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha welcomed the arrival of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands at Istana Nurul Iman.

Their Majesties together with Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands then went up the dais for the royal salute, which was accompanied by the national anthems of both countries. This was followed by a 21-gun salute as the two leaders then inspected the Guard of Honour mounted by the Royal Brunei Land Forces.

Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands was then introduced to the members of the Royal Family; State Dignitaries; Cabinet Ministers; Deputy Ministers; Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; Commissioner of Police; Foreign Envoys in Brunei Darussalam; as well as Permanent Secretaries at the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and their respective spouses.

Their Majesties in return were introduced to the members of the delegation of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands.

The delegation of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands includes His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander, the Prince of Orange; Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands; Frans Timmermans, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Lilianne Ploumen, Minister of Foreign Trade; Johannes Jansing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands to Brunei Darussalam and other senior officials from the Netherlands.

Shortly after, an audience ceremony was held at the Cheradi Laila Kencana. Also present in the audience ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam as well as other members of the royal family.

Also attending the audience ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander, the Prince of Orange; Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands and Johannes Jansing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands to Brunei Darussalam.

During the audience ceremony, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to confer Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands a state order of Darjah Kerabat Mahkota Brunei, DKMB. In turn, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha consented to receive state orders of the Grand Cross of the Netherlands from Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands.

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands’ arrival at the Brunei International Airport was welcomed by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah. Also present were Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Education as the Minister-in-Attendance and his wife.

Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands was then ushered to the motorcade heading towards Istana Nurul Iman. Some 3,100 students lined up along the main road towards the main entrance of Istana Nurul Iman, waving flags of both countries to welcome the State Visit of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, according to the press release. - Borneo Bulletin (22 January 2013)